Info Sheet - Paul Vaughan Martindale
Killed in Action 28 April 1972 - Comments - Incident Report
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CPT Paul V. Martindale, AH-1G Cobra Pilot (call sign Centaur 56), F Troop, 4th Cav, 1st Avn Bde, USARV, was Killed in action from an incident on 04/28/1972 while performing the duty of Aircraft Commander of an U.S. Army AH-1G Cobra. He was flying wing ship on 1LT Charles O'Connelll (Cobra lead) on a scout mission. Took a 37mm round in transmission, crashed and rolled over trapping pilot WO1William Allen Haines, in front seat. The aircraft burned and both crewmen perished.
He is listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall at Panel W1, Line 9
From Justin Martindale - My Brother Paul - 9/26/01
Born August 26, 1946 in Montgomery, Alabama. Raised in rural setti callng in a small community called Sandy Ridge. I will record a biography of him here as time goes on. I am Justin and today live in Sandy Ridge where we were raised. Paul lives on in our memories and I appreciate your good feelings and wishes.
- See more at: http://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/32722/PAUL-V-MARTINDALE#sthash.pL0pq3uk.dpu
From Ken Hundt: - Centaur 53
I remember him fondly as I was the new guy to the unit-F/4 in January ’72. I do remember that mission—or at least part of it. I believe that there were 3 or 4 Cobras, plus little birds and a C&C ship, sent north out of Phu Bai. Not sure what landing strip we staged out of. I was a newly minted AC so I was the last Cobra. When we got to the strip and shut down, I was told that I and my front seat pilot were to return to base in a different ship—as the front seat pilot in that other Cobra broke the Plexiglas getting out. CPT Martindale took over the Cobra I flew up. The rest of the ships took off for the mission and I returned to base. That was the day he was shot down and killed along with Bill Haines. I do feel very lucky as that very well could have been me.
From Frank Dillon - Friend - Feb 5, 2011
Peculiar MO 64078 US
Captain Paul Martindale is one of the men I most respected during my time in Vietnam. Here I am years later and can still recall the day he died. He was a very brave man and a friend to all that knew him. Of all the personal losses I feel for that time of my life, Captain Martindale ranks at the top of my list.
From Ron Wilkinson - School/Team Mate and Friend - Jun 1, 2010
Montgomery Alabama 36106 USA
Thanks for your Ultimate Sacrifice
To Paul and his Family: I often think of Paul and the sacrifice he and his family made, Pauls brother Justin (my classmate) served as well coming home after a tour, I am grateful to have known Paul as a friend as well as have been classmates with his brother another friend, thanks for your sacrifices.
Name: CPT Paul Vaughan Martindale
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 04/28/1972 while performing the duty of Aircraft Commander.
Age at death: 25.7
Date of Birth: 08/26/1946
Home City: Letohatchee, AL
Service: EN branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: F/4 CAV
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 71-24
Service: EN branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 01W-009
Short Summary: Gun lead on scout mission. Took round in transmission and crashed. WO1 W.A. Haines was front seat.
Aircraft: AH-1G
Call sign: Centaur 56
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 1981 = 19 Rotary Wing Aviator (Unit Commander)
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: small arms fire
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: pilot
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 11/03/1971
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - pilot
The initial status of this person was: no previous report
Length of service: *
Location: Quang Tri Province I Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: YD368655
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Religion: Methodist (Evangelical United Brethren)
Burial information: SAWYER CEM, SANDY RIDGE, AL
The following information secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: officer
This record was last updated on 08/20/1995