About the Huey

Helicopter UH-1M tail number 68-16245 was accepted into U.S. Army service in September 1969 and quickly deployed to Southeast Asia during the height of the Vietnam War.

After a brief in-transit period, the aircraft was assigned to the 336th Assault Helicopter Company in the Republic of Vietnam, where it began accumulating flight hours in combat operations. From late 1969 through mid-1970, the helicopter flew extensively in-country, supporting air assault missions, troop insertions and extractions, resupply, and other combat aviation duties typical of "Huey" operations during the war. Over this period, the aircraft steadily built hundreds of flight hours in a demanding operational environment.

In October 1970, the helicopter was reassigned to the 162nd Assault Helicopter Company, continuing its service in Vietnam. It remained actively engaged in combat aviation missions putting troops where they were needed, when they were needed, and getting them out when it mattered most.

By late 1971, after accumulating more than 2,000 flight hours, the aircraft departed Vietnam and returned to the United States. It was processed through Army aviation logistics and maintenance channels, including assignments with aviation support and maintenance units, before being returned to operational status.

In 1972, the Huey was assigned to Headquarters, 24th Aviation Group, 1st Army in Coventry, Rhode Island. There, its mission shifted from combat to stateside support—conducting pilot training, transporting personnel, and supporting Army Reserve and National Guard readiness. Operating within a broader Cold War-era defense network, the aircraft supported activities tied to regional air defense, communications, and radar installations that contributed to monitoring and protecting U.S. airspace along the East Coast.

In 1974, the aircraft was reassigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, one of the Army's premier air assault units. There, it continued operational service, supporting the division's training and mission requirements. The helicopter remained with the 101st through at least the end of 1975, ultimately accumulating more than 3,100 total flight hours during its known service life.

In later years, UH-1M 68-16245 became part of the living history mission championed by the North Carolina Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (NCVHPA), an organization founded in 1989 to preserve the legacy of Vietnam helicopter pilots. Through restoration and public display, aircraft like this Huey help bring history to life—allowing veterans who flew in combat to share their experiences directly with the public. The Association's members, all verified Vietnam helicopter pilots with thousands of combined combat flight hours and numerous valor awards, use these aircraft to educate students, support community programs, and honor those who served. By connecting the machine to the men who flew it, the NCVHPA ensures that the story of Army aviation in Vietnam remains vivid, personal, and enduring for future generations.

In 2025, The North Carolina Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association entrusted the Huey to the Guilford County Veterans Memorial to ensure its story continues in a permanent, dignified setting. For years, Vietnam helicopter pilots preserved and shared these aircraft as living history; placing this Huey at the Memorial allows that mission to reach a broader community and future generations.

Here, the helicopter becomes more than an artifact—it stands as a powerful symbol of the courage, sacrifice, and brotherhood of those who served. The donation reflects both a shared commitment to honoring veterans and a trust that the Memorial will preserve not only the aircraft, but the stories it carries.