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Vietnam’s Iconic HUEY Is Retired After 57 Years Of Service

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Real Estate Agent with Luxury Valley Homes Scottsdale SA524104000

Vietnam’s Iconic HUEY Is Retired After 57 Years Of Service 

UH-1 Iroquois Helicopter (Huey)The UH-1 Iroquois, affectionately known as the "Huey," and the air cavalryman’s steed was retired on August 18, 2012 in Fort Hood, Texas. A ceremonial airlift with the final three UH-1s remaining in the active-duty Army along with some members of the 1st Cav was conducted in front of many Vietnam veterans. The distinctive Whop – Whop sound of the Huey stimulated memories of old, some good and some not so good. That Huey sound was so distinctive it’s still used today in movies as the sound associated with the latest generation helicopters.

The men that flew these birds were extremely brave people. Even the Marine pilots would say that if I go down, send me an Army aviator, because they'll come and get me. The distinctive 'whop-whop' sound is one that you were happy to hear when you needed ammo, medevac, or the best part being picked up for a return to base camp. After months in the jungle on the battlefield, that sound often meant a safe escape for the combat veterans.

Some important statistics of the Vietnam War are as follows:

  • 58,156 casualties
  • 303,704 veterans wounded in action
  • 543,482 Peak troop strength
  • 7,484 women served in Vietnam
  • 23,214 veterans were classified as 100% disabled

So the saying evolved from the Vietnam warriors that, “All gave some. Some gave all.”
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The Vietnam warrior was left to fight another kind of war when they returned to their home soil in the United States of America, but that’s another story. Today is a day to remember the ol’ Huey, a workhorse, tough, reliable, dependable – Iconic.

About the author: Jeff Daley was a combat veteran in Vietnam and served two tours overseas. He served with distinction in the Army from 1963 – 1969. He is currently one of the managing partners of the Luxury Valley Homes Team in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is an owner/agent in Keller Williams Realty Arizona. 

Comments (1)

Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

Neat and sad facts.

Amazing that the model was kept in use that long.

Aug 23, 2012 04:02 AM