The crash site of the Air Force Helicopter Jolly Green 23 was discovered
on 09 November 2002 and excavation began on 17 January 2003.
The remains of the four crew members were repatriated to US soil on 14 February 2003.

CAPT Richard Carolinus Yeend was buried in a private family ceremony in Mobile, AL on 01 October 2003.
LT Jack Columbus Rittichier was buried with full miltary honors at Arlington National Cemetery on 06 October 2003.
SSGT Elmer Larry Holden was buried with full military honors in Hampton, SC on 11 October 2003.
SGT James Doulglas Locker was buried with full military honors in Sidney, Ohio on 18 October 2003.

See Tom Pilsch's website for the complete story of   The Search for Jolly Green 23.

Below are pictures of the recovery of Jolly Green 23 in A Shau Valley, Laos - thirty seven miles west of Hue RVN.

An aerial view of the crash site in Laos. Just below the center is the rotor head from Jolly Green 23. Serial numbers from the rotor head proved without a doubt that this is the crash of Jolly Green 23.

"What you see is the main rotor head, sleeve spindles that hold the chopper blades on the main rotor and the droop stops just under the sleeve spindles. The droop stops were there to keep the blades from drooping on shut down and start up. Drooping blades would actually hit main part of the chopper if not in place... thus the STOPS prevented flat top hair cuts."

"Jolly 23 was hit by a RPG (rocket propelled grenade) in the bottom of the aircraft at 15 foot altitude while trying to accomplish an emergency landing. The enemy were hiding in what we called spiders holes at the closest tree line and popped up just at the last minute and blasted away. Not much wiggle room when you land on top the hornets nest."

"My friends didn't stand a chance."

-- Doug McGill, USAF PARARESCUE, RETIRED

A buckle, pocket knife and lieutenant's bars - some of the personal effects found at the site.

A joint service honor guard carries the remains of the crew of Jolly Green 23 upon their arrival back on American soil on 14 February 2003 at Hickam AFB in Hawaii. Their remains were transported to the US Army's Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii (CILHI) where efforts were begun to identify them. The full story can be read in the  Honolulu Advertiser. Photo by Bruce Asato, The Honolulu Advertiser.

"I was not able to attend the ceremony, but Don "Surfer" Johnson attended for both of us. Along with Don were a large number of Vietnam POWs. The Hanoi Hilton POWs just happened to be at Hickam AFB, Honolulu, Hawaii, to also celebrate their own return to US soil 30 years earlier. They were told that the Vietnam bird was coming in with soldiers remains and all the POWs and their families attended, standing tall (each and every one of them) all saluting the flag-draped coffins as they were off loaded off the aircraft. The scene was surreal... almost like it was all planned ahead of time; however, it wasn't. Just God directing a show of respect for our fallen heros returning home."

-- Doug McGill, USAF PARARESCUE, RETIRED

Former Vietnam POW and retired Air Force Lt. Col. Larry Chesley, and his wife, Judy, hold their hands over their hearts as the remains of the crew of Jolly Green 23 are carried off a C-130 aircraft and into a hangar at Hickam AFB, on their way to be identified. Photo by Bruce Asato,  The Honolulu Advertiser.

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