index

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Welcome to our web site

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About Our Patches

Casper the Friendly Ghost was our original call sign. It was later shortened to "Casper" in 1965. From that point on, we were proudly known as the Casper Aviation Platoon.

The original Casper Platoon ghost was painted by Donald Bachali in early 1965. It was quickly used by all of the Caspers after that. There were at least three different Casper Platoon patches that were worn in Vietnam from between 1965-1971.

This is the earliest version of the Casper Platoon patch worn between 1965-1967.

This was one of originally designed patches that was worn by most of the Casper crew members between 1968-1971.

This Inferno Aero Scout patch was designed by Rick Canning (KIA) and worn by the LOH crew members on their survival vest between 1968-1971.

Casper's version of the Viet Cong Hunting Club.

This patch was designed by Jim Boswell for the Casper Platoon reunion in 1987.

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Reunion Albums

Helicopter Dioramas

Find Us on Facebook

Casper Aviation Platoon

Casper Aviation Platoon Organization

Casper in Combat.1

"Paint it Black"

Casper in Combat.2

"Run thru the Jungle"

Casper Mechanics

"Light My Fire"

Casper Pilots

"Sky Pilot"

Casper CC & DG

Crew Chiefs & Door Gunners

"Satisfaction"

Casper Stone

"National Vietnam

War Museum"

KIA Remembrance

"50,000 Names"

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Web Site Awards

Updated: 4/28/11

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Patriotic Tribute

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Origin & Brief History

Casper Aviation Platoon was the only separate aviation platoon in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Casper was organized with the 173d Airborne Brigade on Okinawa in 1963 and arrived in country with the Brigade on May 5, 1965 becoming the first U.S. Army ground unit committed to the Vietnam War. Casper Platoon supported the Brigade until they all left Vietnam in August 1971.

Casper flew almost every type of heliborne mission there was including resupply, visual reconnaissance, Snoopy, Nighthawk, dust off, command & control and combat assault missions. Besides loyalty and dedication to their job, Caspers had the highest "extension" rate in the Brigade. Casper Platoon Veterans served the 173d Airborne Brigade proudly during their "Tour of Duty" , and continue to be honored today for their service in Vietnam.

"This website is dedicated to all of the men who served in Casper Aviation Platoon"

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Ghost Town

LZ English, Bong Son, 1969

During our Tour of Duty in Vietnam, the platoon was relocated four times and finally called LZ English our home from 1968 to 1971. Casper's "Ghost Town" was located on the east side of English and right next to "Sniper Village."

Enlarge Photo

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Photo Albums

The Casper Platoon Photo Albums are a collection of photos submitted by Casper Crew Members. Displayed are more than

3 ,000 photos posted here from Bien Hoa to Bong Son.

Links to some of our favorite places