Does any one know Clive from his days with Air Logistics, Louisiana? He was there until 1991 when his cancer diagnosis and laryngectomy forced his retirement apparently, passed away 04/27/2021 at the age of 84. Trying to track a bit of his history.
The reason for asking is that the VHPA posted the following and it has been brought to my attention.WO1 Clive "Clive-o" H. Collins was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 04/27/2021 at the age of 84.7 Stuart, FL
Flight Classes 70-25 and 70-21
Date of Birth 08/22/1936
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with B/3/17 CAV in 70, 135 AHC in 70-71
Call signs in Vietnam STOGIE, EMU 22, TAIPAN 33
This information was provided by Sammie Williams - obit
More detail on this person: Clive Herbert Collins, 84, of Stuart, FL passed on Tuesday, April 27, 2021. Born in Southgate London, England, son of Herbert and Myrtle Collins. Clive was raised in England, completed primary school, graduated from Mincheden High School, and attended London University in the UK. He joined the British Army from 1955 to 1957, where he served his country honorably earning the British General Service Medal and Suez Medal. Clive then traveled the world from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean, Thailand, and Australia working various aviation-related jobs. He arrived in the United States in 1967 as an Operations Officer for Braniff International Airlines in Miami and worked there until he began his military career with the United States Army. Clive, a true patriot, volunteered for the United States Army in 1969 and served for 11 years, including a tour in Vietnam as a Helicopter Pilot flying the Hughes TH-55, Bell TH-13, OH-58, and, mostly, his beloved Bell UH-1 gunships as Aircraft Commander. He also flew the CH-47 in Europe after Vietnam. He earned the rank of Chief Warrant Officer and was the recipient of numerous awards including a bronze star, purple heart, Distinguished Flying Cross among others before his retirement in 1980. Clive then followed his love of the ocean becoming a 1st Mate on a commercial fishing boat and private yacht before purchasing his own 30' commercial fishing boat. Clive's love of flying and his experience in both the British and United States Military led him to a successful civilian career as a helicopter pilot for Air Logistics, Louisiana until 1991 when his cancer diagnosis and laryngectomy forced his retirement. In retirement, Clive focused on his passion for gun and military antique collecting and history. He also enjoyed collecting, tinkering, and driving his many cars and motorcycles. A lifetime patriot and military man. He was a life member of VFW, Post 10132 Hobe Sound, FL, and a life member of The Military Order of the Purple Heart. He is survived by: his children: Justin A. Collins and his wife, Ellison, of Naples, FL; Nicole Perlman and her husband, Glen, of Walpole, MA; his brother Barry Collins; his grandchildren, Ellie, Jack, and Travis as well as his future granddaughter, daughter of Justin and Ellison; Dear friend Stephanie Yerkes of Stuart. A service will be held graveside at All Saints Cemetery, Jensen Beach, FL on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at 9:30 am. All County Funeral Home, Stuart, Florida Published in TC Palm from Apr. 29 to Apr. 30, 2021
Burial information: All Saints Cemetery, Jensen Beach, FLThe claims made are questionable. I was 2i/c of the platoon at the time he claims to have been with the 135th AHC in Vietnam. Moreover the EMU22 call sign he claims to have used belonged to a Terry Mezera who was shot and killed during a medevac in January 1971, 2½ months before going home, the call sign was then taken up by a Captain Moody. Similarly the TAIPAN33 call sign he clams was an Australian by the name of Bill Shurey.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/750x709/5cdf28cc69ee7_image_1d5c345b7198ffc0cca8e4b80475906c0cf73c78 .jpg
Vale Terry, we can do with out people stealing your honour.
212man
3rd Oct 2021, 10:24
Looks a bit suspect.
GSM and Suez medal?
Joined US army as pilot at 33?
Non-US citizen enlisting as Warrant Officer?
Says WO1 but then Chief Warrant Officer?
Gibbon14
29th Sep 2022, 00:19
Clive was my 2nd cousin. He was 100% born in England and 100% moved to the USA and flew helicopters in Vietnam.
I don't know what info the guys below have but they must be wrong as there is no way Clive would have lied about any of it.