WHAT I CAN DO - I WILL -

The C-2A Greyhound provided critical logistics support to aircraft carriers around the world. Its primary mission was to transport personnel including litter patients during medical evacuation missions, supplies, mail, or a combination thereof, to and from the carrier task force to which it was assigned. Powered by two PT-6 turboprop engines, the Greyhound was able to deliver a payload of up to 10,000 pounds. Priority cargos, such as jet engines, were stored within the aircraft’s cage restraint system and could be transported from ship to shore in a matter of hours. For fast turnaround operations, the onboard power winch allowed for straight-in rear cargo loading and downloading through its large aft cargo ramp and door. Further, the C-2A’s open-ramp flight capability allowed for airdrop of supplies and personnel from carrier-launched aircraft. The Greyhound also had folding wings and an onboard auxiliary power unit for engine starting and ground power self-sufficiency in remote areas that provided it with an operational versatility found in no other cargo aircraft.

On 02 October 1969, a C2A "Greyhound" cargo aircraft from Reserve Cargo Squadron 50 departed Cubi Point Naval Air Station, Republic of the Philippines on a shuttle flight to various aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam, including the USS CONSTELLATION, the USS WALKER, the USS HAMMER, and the USS LONG BEACH.

The flight crew onboard the aircraft, assigned to Fleet Support Squadron 50 based in Atsugi Naval Air Station, Japan, included the pilot, Lt. Herbert H. Dilger; co-pilot, Lt. Richard A. Livingston; air crewman, Petty Officer 3rd Class Paul K. Moser; aircraft captain, Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael J. Tye; and loadmaster-trainee, Petty Officer 3rd Class Rayford J. Hill. Most of the twenty passengers appear to be bound for the USS CONSTELLATION, but one was bound for the USS LONG BEACH, one of the four Philippine citizens onboard was headed for the USS HAMMER, and two to the USS WALKER.

The aircraft was inbound to the CONSTITUTION and made communication at about 0600 hours, reporting that operations were normal. When communicatons were established with the Carrier Air Control, control was passed to the Marshall controller (Approach Control). The carrier's radar continued tracking the aircraft until approximately 0655, at which time radar contact was lost at about 10 nautical miles from the CONSTELLATION.

An extensive search and rescue (SAR) operation was immediately initiated. Shortly thereafter other aircraft in the area began sighting an oil slick and debris. A search and recovery helicopter launched from the ship was able to recover a few pieces of the aircraft. The recovered debris indicated that the aircraft was in a relatively high-speed nose down, right wing down impact with the water, or a possible right wing failure before impact. During the thorough search no bodies of the crew and passengers were found. At the time the formal search was terminated all 26 men were reported as Killed /Body Not Recovered.

There is virtually no chance that the crew and passengers onboard the C2A Greyhound can ever be recovered due to the type of loss. However, each man has the right not to be forgotten by the nation he gave his life for. For other Americans who remain unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, their fate could be quite different.

Biographical and incident of loss information was obtained from either POW/NET and/or Task Force Omega, Inc (unless otherwise noted). Additional information may be found via remembrances at The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund or The Virtual Wall Vietnam Veterans Memorial.