Birth Date:
1948-09-09
Deceased Date:
1969-06-19
Obituary:
When a close friendship is born during military service on a foreign battlefield, it takes on an intensity in the relationship not experienced anywhere else in one’s life journey. That is why you see the eyes of your combat Veteran loved one light up with a brightness of joy or quickly dim down with tears of sadness when they reminisce about their best military buddy found during their war. If they were lucky, those close combat friends survived and stayed with them in life as they left the soldiering behind. But, tragically, some were suddenly lost forever in the heat of a firefight on some foreign battlefield. Never again to share a beer or laugh at a stupid joke.
Today, I choose to honor one of my closest Vietnam combat friends, CWO Glenn Haukeness, esteemed Mustang gunship pilot. Although I only knew Glenn for a few months of the many months in my long life, the intensity that came with being a U.S. Army Helicopter pilot during my service in South Vietnam created a fond memory of friendship that has withstood the test of time. Etched in my heart forever. KIA on June 19, 1969, CWO Glenn “The Hawk” and his crew were honored a week after their loss at the Bien Hoa Army Chapel. The Memorial Ceremony was made especially poignant when a missing man flyover of C-125’s trailing purple smoke was conducted by the U.S. Air Force “Ranch Hands” Squadron as members of the 68th AHC stood in formation outside the Chapel. The Ranch Hands honored Glenn because many in their unit had come to know him well. Glenn, The Hawk, would frequent the Bien Hoa USAF Officers Club, drinking his favorite Red Beer (Budweiser and tomato juice) as he playfully entertained the AF pilots with his “No Shit” helicopter gunship pilot war stories. The Hawk often had the Ranch Hand AF pilots sitting there at the bar’s biggest round table on the edge of their seats. There they were, adorned in their perfectly fitted pristine flight suits adorned with their bright purple scarves, hanging onto the Hawk’s every word. And then there he was, the Hawk, the glorious 68th AHC gunship pilot sitting there in his sweaty, faded, worn out jungle fatigues savoring every moment. I know, I was there. Even on the night before Glenn was KIA I was there with him as he held high court with the Ranch Hands one last time.
When Glenn was Killed In Action on June, 19, 1969, he was “Short” with only about 20 days left on his tour of duty in Vietnam. The day he died was supposed to be his day off. But, early that morning, Glenn was scrambled to lead a gun mission. The Hawk was sent out on a mission to aid a small Base Camp in the middle of a nowhere jungle that was being overrun by VC. Glenn and his entire crew were lost as he banked away after a gun run and was struck broadside by a Viet Cong RPG. Lost also on that day was CWO Robert Williams, Sgt Richard Baca, and SP-4 Alan Rouchon. It was a sad, sad day for the 68th Assault Helicopter Company.
So, here’s to you CWO GLENN HAUKENESS: A big “Red Eye” toast to the young and brave UH-1C 68th AHC Mustang Gun Pilot!
CWO GLENN “THE HAWK” YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN!!