That Others May Live by Forrest L. Marion

Author:Forrest L. Marion [Marion, Forrest L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Military, Korean War
ISBN: 9780756743208
Google: 8mRUGQAACAAJ
Publisher: Diane Publishing Company
Published: 2004-07-31T16:08:38+00:00

3. Other Air Rescue Aircraft

Among the lesser-known ARS aircraft, the L-5, SC-47, SB-17, and SB-29 performed valuable service in the Korean War theater. The SB-17, replaced by the SA-16, flew operational missions until late 1951. The L-5, eventually deemed unnecessary as the availability of the H-19 helicopters increased, served into early 1952. The SCM7 and SB-29 remained in operation until the signing of the armistice in July 1953.

Stinson L-5 Sentinel

For most of the period between July 1950 and March 1952, the 3rd ARS Korean detachment operated two Stinson L-5B liaison aircraft. During World War II, the small two-seater L-5 had served as a U.S. Army liaison and communications aircraft; in Korea, the 3rd ARS used its L-5s for various duties, especially for medical evacuation from frontline areas, search and rescue of downed pilots, escort for H-5 helicopters, and supply runs.

The squadron’s first two L-5s deployed to Korea on July 7, 1950, as part of Mercy Mission #1. Despite 3rd ARS’s initial assessment that the liaison aircraft were unsuited for operations in the rice-paddy terrain, they proved useful later in the summer. On September 10, 1950, 1st Lt. Raymond E. Costello piloted an L-5 to an area under friendly control, landed at a nearby airstrip, and picked up a wounded fighter pilot who had been forced to leave his aircraft. On October 21 and 22, two L-5s and four H-5s evacuated at least thirty-five injured paratroopers of the 187th RCT from the Sukchon area north of Pyongyang.

The most heralded Sentinel rescue mission occurred on the afternoon of December 11, 1950, when 1st Lt. Donald R. Michaelis, flying an L-5 north of Seoul, picked up a mayday from the wingman of a bailed-out F-80 pilot. Learning the location of the downed pilot, Michaelis stated, “I knew it was too late in the day for a rescue helicopter to come after him, so I went off on my own hook.” Lieutenant Michaelis headed, with fighter escort, to a location several miles southeast of Pyongyang. Because the area had no landing strips, the JOC at Taegu did not direct Michaelis to continue but allowed him to proceed at his own discretion. Meanwhile, the escort fighters had pinpointed the downed pilot and relayed to Michaelis that a nearby road would make a suitable landing strip. Michaelis decided to proceed, but finding the road unsatisfactory, he selected a nearby frozen rice paddy. On his third attempt he executed the difficult landing on the paddy. The downed pilot, 1st Lt. Tracy B. Mathewson of the 8th FBS, made a dash for the L-5. Perhaps surprised at the daring rescue attempt, the enemy troops did not fire until Mathewson had nearly reached the rescue aircraft. Their gunfire quickly attracted the attention of the escort fighters, whose strafing enabled the L-5 to take off. For this rescue, Lieutenant Michaelis earned the Silver Star. At an awards ceremony the next month, Michaelis and three other 3rd ARS members received their Silver Stars, indicative of the enviable record and reputation the squadron was already achieving at this early stage of the war.

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