Ben F Sutton

Our Thoughts and Remembrances 

Image courtesy of Lil Doc's

From Roger (Swede) Olsson:

We finally got our pilots assigned to us, and I was very pleased that I got Ben Sutton as my pilot. We developed a good relationship that seemed to grow every day. We had a lot of fun with the PP if we could, like Ben would ask me very sternly in front of the PP "Has the copter been checked out properly?" while checking the logbook.   I gave him a blank look and said "well, heck it flew yesterday." It got to the point that I found two PP snooping around my copter in the middle of the night. Ben told them it was not healthy to be out there in the dark with a crazy ce around. Another incident while on ammo, hot food and mail delivery to Airborne.  It was hot and humid (really) and of course windy.  The PP is at the controls. Now this PP is a real beauty and seems to know everything.

Long before final to Airborne, Ben talked to the PP about how to get in and out, and what to watch out for. Well, on very short final Ben called for the stick and we went around for another approach, and the PP was arguing with Ben about how he wanted to approach. Ben explained to him that when you fly with other AC's you do as they tell you and when you're with me you'll pickup what I have to teach you. After Ben had taken the stick away for the third time, he landed himself. PP was not happy. After getting some altitude Ben asked if I wanted some stick time, and it was always good to practice &fun too. Before we got back Ben sort of motioned to me with his eyes to stay put in the driver's seat. We refueled and got clearance for the Lancer pad. Ben said, you got it.  Well, my eyes got pretty big, I had never landed this hunk of metal before and he knew that. (We used to practice hovering by the beach, and that was hard enough.) Ben said, don't worry about it, I'll talk you in, and he did. When at a hover I thought he would take over and park it, but he didn't. He just calmly talked to me and said you're flying it, relax and park it.  Well, I did it!!!

When looking at Ben he was sitting there with his arms folded and having one of those you know what, kind of grins on his face. He was up to something.  Slowly, he turned to PP and said; See how easy it is when you do as you are told, and this ce doesn't even know how to fly.

Needless to say, this PP never flew with us again. As a matter of fact, he didn't even stay for post flight or wiping down the copter. That was one thing that Ben was great with, he pulled his shirt off and helped getting ready for next run, and so did most of our pilots during my time  with Lancers.

Ben and I went to Eagle Beach together, I even have a picture of us, decked out to kill  (a few beers). Also, a picture of Ben when stocking up with ln preparation for the copter. I am sure there are many more episodes, but I probably blocked them out after hearing about Sutton going down.

Rest in Peace, Ben!

Also sent in by Roger, a couple of pictures of Ben on the Roundtable:

	Ben and Roger Looking forward to a day at Eagle Beach

Copy of certificate for Memorial Brick to be installed at the "Pathway of Legends" Walkway at the new Fort Campbell Museum:

From Curtis and Ann Smith

A park in Palmetto, FL honoring Ben Sutton