Jim Ray Cavender

Chief Warrant Officer 3
PILOT  UH-1H #67-19512

29 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Dec 28, 1948
From: Santa Paula, California
Casualty was on November 4, 1969 in Khanh Hoa, South Vietnam
Non-Hostile, died missing
Helicopter - pilot air loss, crash on land
Body was not recovered
Religion: Prostestant
(Panel 16W - Line 27)



 

 

On November 4, 1969, WO Terry L. Alford, aircraft commander; WO1 Jim R. Cavender, pilot; SP4 John A. Ware, crew chief; and SP4 James R. Klimo, door gunner, were flying a series of combat support missions in a UH1H helicopter (serial #67-19512) in South Vietnam.

WO Alford was returning to his base at Nha Trang from Duc Lap at about 1920 hours when he made his last known radio contact with the 48th Aviation Company Operations at Ninh Hoa. Either the pilot or aircraft commander gave his approximate location as Duc My Pass, and stated he was in the clouds and instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Shortly afterwards, the controller at Ninh Hoa heard a radio transmission that WO1 Alford was in trouble. The pilot reported, inexplicably, that the helicopter was flying upside down.

The helicopter is not believed to have been shot at. Search efforts were conducted for six consecutive days, but nothing was found.  For the complete case record and latest MIA search information see John Ware's memorial page.



Suspected crash site NW of Nha Trang



 

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