[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 103 (Tuesday, July 13, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      HONORING VETERANS OF HELICOPTER ATTACK LIGHT SQUADRON THREE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. JOHN BOOZMAN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 29, 2010

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I was proud to introduce House Resolution 
1228, Honoring the Veterans of Helicopter Attack Light Squadron Three 
and Their Families, to recognize the veterans' sacrifices in service to 
America during the Vietnam War.
  I would especially like to mention Frank Hiles who currently lives in 
Ozark, Arkansas who served with HAL-3. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, 
Frank served in the United States Navy for 20 years as aircrewman on 
many different types of aircraft. After retiring he moved to Arkansas 
to start a business and raise his three children as a single parent. 
Frank continued his service to his country as an intern in the Fort 
Smith Congressional office last year as he worked toward his bachelor's 
degree.
  I want to thank Frank and all of our veterans who served with the 
HAL-3 Seawolves.
  Despite the controversy surrounding the Vietnam War, most of the 
officers and enlisted men who served in HAL-3 were volunteers. Most of 
the pilots were fresh out of flight training in Pensacola and most of 
the juniors enlisted were recent graduates of Navy boot camp and 
technical training schools. Their leaders were also new to combat, 
coming mostly from ship-based helicopter squadrons normally assigned to 
track submarines and haul supplies.
  HAL-3 fought from 1967 to 1972. In that time, they earned the respect 
of Army and Navy units throughout the Mekong Delta for their courage 
under fire and their dedication to supporting their comrades on the 
ground and in small boats patrolling the canals and rivers. They 
supported Army troop insertions and extractions. Navy SEALS counted on 
their support in tight situations.
  Wounded sailors and soldiers benefitted from battlefield medivacs. In 
short, the Seawolves mastered every form of combat helicopter 
operations.
  Here are some statistics from the Resolution:
  The nine detachments and home guard of HAL-3 flew 130,000 flight 
hours in 5 years, they performed 1530 medical evacuations, inflicted 
thousands of casualties on enemy forces, transported 37,000 passengers 
and hauled a million pounds of cargo.
  In accomplishing those milestones with a fleet of cast-off gunships 
and a few slicks, the veterans of HAL-3 were awarded 156 Purple Hearts, 
5 Navy Crosses, 31 Silver Stars, 219 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 101 
Bronze Stars, 142 Vietnam Gallantry Crosses, 16,000 Air Medals, and 
numerous other awards including six Presidential Unit Citations, the 
highest recognition given to military units.
  Like any combat operation, there was a cost. Forty-four Seawolves 
lost their lives and are among the 58,000 immortalized on the Vietnam 
Memorial. Today, the children and grandchildren of those brave souls 
can be justifiably proud of the heritage of courage and sacrifice of 
their fathers and grandfathers.
  It has been my honor to bring this resolution honoring the HAL-3 
Seawolves to the House and I strongly urge my colleagues to add their 
names to the roster of those recognizing these American sailors.

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