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To Richard Leyba, surprised to see your name. How you doing? I remember you were on the working party, bring the bodies onboard. October 21, 1977, a USMC CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter crashed in the mountains of Mindoro, Philippines, during Operation Fortress Lightning, killing 24 Marines and injuring 13. The helicopter suffered a, suspected tail rotor failure, plunged 400 feet, and burned.

Years Served: 1977-1979…I served on the USS New Orleans 1977-1979, I was an electrians mate in E Division. I am looking for information/documentation of the operations on October 1977 in Mindoro, Philippines regarding recovery operations of the CH-53 helicopter.

Served with 1st Division May 1969 until Sept 1970. (NO’s 1st Westpac) Great Ship & many Memories.

Serve onboard Feb88 – Oct95….not a type 0……spent 7 1/2 years on New Orleans…reported as an RM1 and left as RMCS….Great tour…..many many good friends….