AVM
Robin Klitscher
Pilot, Squadron Leader
(NZ) No. 9 Squadron, RAAF
Nui Dat, Vung Tau
Sep 1970 - Sep 1971
On 17th April 1971, a No. 9 Squadron Dustoff helicopter was shot down in the Long Hai hills during a casualty evacuation mission. The aircraft was destroyed. I took airborne control of the recovery actions on-scene. The four aircrew were brought out safely at dusk. Lance Corporal John Gillespie RAAMC was Dustoff medic, but he and another Australian and an American were killed when the aircraft went down. Lance Corporal Gillespie’s remains were finally identified on-site and repatriated to Australia in December 2007.
Service No. A926072