Gary Bernard Flabbi

CREW CHIEF
22 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on September 7, 1944
From: Baltimore, Maryland
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on May 15, 1966
Casualty was on October 23, 1966 in South Vietnam
Non-Hostile, Ground Casualty
Body was recovered
Religion: Roman Catholic
(Panel 11E - - Line 100)

 

Private First Class Gary Bernard Flabbi, 526 19 352 was born in Baltimore Maryland on September 07, 1944.  His parents were Julian J. and Gertrude M. Flabbi of 5038, East Oliver Street, Baltimore, MD (Both are Deceased).   Gary was one of three sons, Donald (deceased), David and Robert F. Flabbi who went on to retire from the US Army as a First Sergeant and currently resides with his family in Florida.  Gary attended Patterson High School in Baltimore, MD and grew up in the neighborhood of Armistead Gardens. He was active in baseball, football and fishing and was well liked by his neighbors and friends.  Gary grew was an active member of the Roman Catholic Church.       In May of 1965 Gary and several of his friends from his neighborhood in Baltimore joined the US Army and went off to basic training.   Following basic Gary was assigned to Fort Rucker, Alabama for training as a 67N20, Utility Helicopter Mechanic. Upon graduation he was transferred to Fort Benning Georgia where he joined the newly formed 483rd Transportation Detachment.  Gary and the 483rd were deployed to South Vietnam and arrived by ship at Nha Trang on June 9, 1966.    In Nha Trang Gary was assigned as a crew chief on a UH-1 helicopter in support of Special Forces operations throughout the country of South Vietnam.   In October of 1966 he was part of a forward operating element of the 281st AHC operating out of Khe Sahn.  On the evening of October 22, 1966 Gary left the other members of the unit and entered an area planted with land mines and in so doing accidentally detonated a mine which resulted in his death on October 23, 1966.  Gary was 20 years and 16 Days old at the time of his death. Gary was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Aircraft Crew Members Badge.