“It is my duty, as a member of the Air Rescue Service, to save life and to aid the injured. I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before personal desires and comforts. These things I do that others may live.”

Pararescueman Killed in Action

On January 28, 1970, an HH-53B, assigned to the 40ARRSq, Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, was lost after being shot down by an Atol missile fired by a North Vietnamese MiG 21. Anti-aircraft guns had earlier shot down an F-105 fighter-bomber along the border Between North Vietnam and Laos just north of Mu Gia Pass. Sergeant's Pruett and Sutton are TDY to the 40th ARRS based at Udorn RTAFB Thailand. Pruett and Sutton are crewmembers on Jolly Green 71 that was part of a SAR task force launched to rescue the F-105 crew. The mission was deep in enemy territory and did  not go unnoticed by communist ground radar controllers who launch at least one Soviet MiG 21 fighter against the SAR forces. Although U.S. airborne radar control aircraft are aware of, and broadcast the MiG's presence, there was little concern by the overwhelmingly superior American force. The MiG fighter pilot concealed himself in adverse weather and terrain and slips through the American protective combat screen. He launches an Atol air-to-air missile that impacts Jolly Green 71. The high Jolly Green, flying cover for JG 71, saw the rocket pass beside his aircraft and strike Jolly Green 71. The helicopter disintegrated in the air and the burning wreckage was observed falling to earth. There were no known survivors among the six crewmen. This was the only time a helicopter is brought down by an air-to-air missile during the Vietnam War.

SAR Mission Reports re: Loss of JG 71