LTC James Wayne Gates
History of the 20th Aviation Detachment

The 20th Aviation Detachment (AKA 20th ASTA Platoon) existed until December 1966, at which time it was reassigned as the 131st Aviation Company, 223rd Aviation Battalion (Combat Support).   The 131st Aviation Company had been assigned to I Corps Aviation Battalion since June 1966, when it arrived in Vietnam.   In August 1967, the 131st Aviation Company was reassigned to the 212th Aviation Battalion where it remained until July 1971, whereupon it transferred out of Vietnam.

There were a large number of pilots lost from this unit, including Thaddeus E. WILLIAMS and James P. SCHIMBERG (January 9, 1966); John M. NASH and Glenn D. McELROY (March 15, 1966); James W. GATES and John W. LAFAYETTE (April 6, 1966); Robert G. NOPP and Marshall KIPINA (July 14, 1966); Jimmy M. BRASHER and Robert E. PITTMAN (September 28, 1966); James M. JOHNSTONE and James L. WHITED (November 19, 1966); Larry F. LUCAS (December 20, 1966); and Jack W. BRUNSON and Clinton A. MUSIL (May 31, 1971).   Missing OV1 aircraft crew from the 20th/131st represent well over half of those lost on OV1 aircraft during the war.

U.S. Army records list both NOPP and KIPINA as part of the "131st Aviation Company, 14th Aviation Battalion", yet according to "Order of Battle" by Shelby Stanton, a widely recognized military source, this company was never assigned to the 14th Aviation Battalion.   The 131st was known as "Nighthawks", and was a surveillance aircraft company.

Click here to contact the owner of this website!

Comments or Questions


Get paid to surf the internet!