DEITSCH CHARLES EDWARD

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Name: CW4 Charles Edward Deitsch
Status: Remains Returned from an incident on 10/20/1968 while performing the duty of Aircraft Commander.
Declared dead on 07/10/1978.
Age at death: 46.5
Date of Birth: 05/08/1922
Home City: Mt Dora, FL
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 243 ASHC, 10 CAB
Prior Unit: 1/9 CAV 65
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 64-5W
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 40W-006
Short Summary: See Knight.
Aircraft: CH-47A tail number 66-19053
Service number: W2215427
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: *
Primary cause: SVN-BNR-OW
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: vehicular accident
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: aircraft commander
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 12/16/1967
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
The initial status of this person was: non-hostile missing - bonified
Length of service: *
Location: Khanh Hoa Province II Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: BP661790

Additional information about this casualty:
Subject: CW4 Charles "Pappy" Dietch - AC Chinook #053, 243rd ASHC The crew of '053, MIA since 1968, were recently found and burials were held at Arlington and Texas. At 1000 hrs, 20 June, 2001, beneath a clear Texas sky the remains of CWO-4 Charles "Pappy" Dietch were laid to rest at Restland Cemetary, Dallas, Texas. The services, held at graveside, was both a fitting statement for someone of Pappy's exemplary service to country as well as one that brought closure to the family. The 4th Inf. Division, Ft. Hood, provided the burial detail and they performed flawlessly. The Chaplain, also from Ft. Hood, delivered a genuinely moving service stressing our need to honor both Pappy and God. And, when speaking of "Pap" he reminded us of his many "loves"; his family, the Army, flying, and the people he served with. As one who had the extreme pleasure of serving and flying with Pappy I can attest that truer words were never spoken. There were two company members at the service, Tony Alvarado (pilot) and me and we both got to speak with Mrs. Dietch, and the Chaplain, for some time. It was a memorable experience. I extended condolences from all I knew that knew of Pappy or 053, which she genuinely appreciated. Then, for quite a few minutes, she and I exchanged some "Pappy stories". She also introduced me to her two sisters... they both, especially the oldest (91 yrs) are "keepers"! Side notes: The SSgt in charge of the detail stood at attention at the foot of the coffin for the length of the service... never blinking. At the end of the service he presented Mrs. Dietch with the flag with the traditional speech, "On behalf of the president of the United States and a grateful Nation ...". He then walked to the position of the first rifleman in the detail and gathered three spent brass which he gave to Mrs. Dietch, again speaking with her. He then left, moving down the line of seated family, shaking the hands of each and returned to a position behind the canopy where Tony and I were standing .. he had a big ol' tear rolling down his right cheek. The "services" were over and someone standing near me commented, "does this get to you, Sgt?" He replied, "Sir, when this doesn't get to me, I'll quit." A few minutes later the detail came back up to the gravesite and spoke to all, shaking the hands - even hugging, some of us vets... thanking us for paving the way. They were all Artillery, Forward Observers. After Arlington and Dallas I'm proud to report, Sir, that we left the Army in capable hands. In attendance were family, friends, two old Company members, and various Viet Vets including three from the Viet Vets Motorcycle Club. And we all walked away feeling better; we'd shed a few tears but with a smile on our faces. The Old Chief thinks that even Pappy would have been proud... and the Good Lord knows that we were proud to have known Pappy. I was there when the aircraft was rolled out that morning. I was there when Pappy and Mr. Knight showed up. Someone commented that the weather was too bad: and Pap replied "people are dying out there, we need to fly!" I was also there listening against hope for rotor beats from the north. Wanting, praying, for one more bird to come home. When I think of 053 I think of the Bible. John 15:13 Greater love hath no man this, that a man lay down is life for his friends. Is that not the legacy of 053? Or a lot of the folks we've known? Mac Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2001 08:19:46 -0400 (EDT) From Larry McAdams, Chinook FE, 179th and 243rd ASHC's., ROADKANG@aol.com

Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died while missing
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Religion: Lutheran (Missouri Synod)
Burial information: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, VA
The following information secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: non-battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 11/04/2017

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Date posted on this site: 10/25/2024