While serving in the Marine Corps, I spent a year in Japan. One day, coming out of the PX, there was a lady in front selling POW/MIA flags, t-shirts, and bracelets. I browsed through the items. Not really having the intention to buy until the lady picked up a bracelet saying that it was meant for me. I had no idea why she had said that. But I payed her for the bracelet and put it on.
I've worn that bracelet for nine years now. Knowing nothing of the man that it represented other than what was on the bracelet. SSgt Jerry W. Hendrix, USMC, 11 JUN 72, SVN.
I often stared at that bracelet, wondering who this man was. Where he was from. Where he was at. What had happened to him. I made a promise to him through that bracelet, that one day I would find out these answers and that I would not take the bracelet off my wrist until the day I had all the answers.
I have found some of those answers. They were a shock. I found out that SSgt Hendrix was from my home state of Kansas and that he had been a neighbor to the parents of a close friend of mine.
There are still too many unanswered questions though so I still wear the bracelet. Hoping that one day, I will either find him or find the person that has all the answers to my questions. If you have known SSgt Jerry W. Hendrix, or could answer a few questions for me, please email me. I want to know all I can about him. Somehow, I have grown a bond toward this man I have never met, through this bracelet.
Below, you will find all the info I have so far on SSgt Hendrix. I dedicate this page to him and his family. May God bless him and give them all peace.
Name: Jerry Wayne Hendrix
Rank/Branch: E6/US Marine Corps
Unit: HMM 165, MAG 36, 1 MAW
Date of Birth: 27 December 1942
Home City of Record: Wichita KS
Date of Loss: 11 July 1972
Country of Loss: South Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 163433N 1072250E (YD345644)
Status (in 1973): Killed/Body Not Recovered
Category: 4
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: CH53D
Other Personnel in Incident: Kenneth L. Crody (missing)
Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 15 March 1991 from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Copyright 1991 Homecoming II Project.
REMARKS:
SYNOPSIS: On the morning of July 11, 1972, the helicopter to which Hendrix was assigned launched from the USS TRIPOLI to participate in combat operations in support of operation LAM SON 72 (Phase II) in Vietnam.
LAM SON 719 had been a large offensive operation against NVA communications lines in Laos in the region adjacent to the two northern provinces of South Vietnam. The operation was a raid in which ARVN troops drove west from Khe Sanh on Route 9, cut the Ho Chi Minh Trail, seized Tchepone, some 25 miles away, and
then returned to Vietnam. The ARVN provided and commanded the ground forces, while U.S. Army and Air Force furnished aviation airlift and supporting firepower.
Losses were heavy. The ARVN suffered some 9,000 casualties, almost 50% of their force. U.S. forces incurred some 1,462 casualties. Aviation units lost 168 helicopters and another 618 were damaged. Fifty-five aircrewmen were killed in
action, 178 were wounded and 34 were missing in action. There were 19,360 known enemy casualties for the entire operation lasting until April 6, 1971.
Phase II of LAM SON included inserting South Vietnamese marines behind enemy lines near communist-occupied Quang Tri City, Republic of Vietnam. This was the mission of Hendrix' helicopter.
While approaching the drop zone, the helicopter was struck by a heat-seeking SA-7 missile in the starboard engine. The aircraft immediately burst into flames and crashlanded moments later. Several aboard received injuries and were taken back to the TRIPOLI for treatment. The bodies of Hendrix and the gunner, CPL
Kenneth L. Crody, could not be recovered because of the intense heat of the burning aircraft.
Crody and Hendrix are listed with honor among the missing because their remains were not returned home. Witnesses believed they were both dead in the aircraft.
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