Rescued by Lancer 28 Gary
Whitty
When Dana Lane and Lanny Ruck
were shot down they had a large force of NVA coming out of the wood line at
them -Then Gary Whitty came in and placed his aircraft between the NVA and
Lanny, Dana, and crew. Gary’s door gunner held the NVA back and was wounded.
Then his crew chief was wounded, and still they held. He -Gary and crew -held
the NVA back while Dana and Lanny ran to a place where another aircraft could
pick them up.
Dana Lane
03/06/22
To John McGarr -Gary’s
co-pilot
Before you and Gary Whitty
arrived, bullets were buzzing all around us kicking up sand. We didn't
dare to move. When your helicopter got there, they stopped shooting at
us and shot at you. Because of the stumps, you were hovering 6 feet up so
we couldn't get on. Thanks to your brave crew, we took off running to
safety and can talk about it today.
Lancer 55
Dana Lane
——————————————-
From John McGarr 03/05/22
I was Gary Whitty's right seat
that day and too green and dumb to know anything. I arrived in-country in
January, so I was scary new.
Don't remember being the lead
aircraft, but I do remember a spiraling descent into Liz with lots of smoke.
Dana's ship somehow got ahead of us and was shot down. We had dumped our packs
(passengers), and Gary maneuvered our ship to be between their ship and the
fire coming from the enemy positions. His intention at first was to pick them
up.
Dana and crew started running
back to the LZ. Both of our crewmen were wounded so we were taking fire
from both sides. We also took multiple hits to the aircraft. Gary got us out of
the LZ and headed to Khe San. I went back and did what I could to help the
crew. Both survived their wounds.
After dropping them off at the
medical pad, we repositioned and shut down. I was told that our ship never flew
again and was sent to Danang for salvage.
Other mental snapshots of that
day include the flash of a Fast Mover cutting through our line of
flight--literally in the blink of an eye. Another was looking out the windows
to see other lifts as big as ours to the left and to the right intermixed with
Hooks carrying artillery to new fire bases. So many aircraft.
And of course, the faces of
the poor ARVN grunts we were hauling to their likely deaths.
Kate Whitty your husband is my
greatest hero. He made many a new generation possible for all those families.
John McGarr
Lancer 32
'71
Great video. Loved that!
Gary B
I commented on FB, but this is
so touching to me that these men reunited after all these years in Brotherhood.
There may still be slightly different memories of the same event but that is
expected. Gary Whitty, John McGarr, Lanny Ruck, Dana Lane you are all
heroes to me along with the rest of the Lancers that served in the most
dangerous situations imaginable and had your lives forever changed!
Yes, it was awesome. I
could not think of anything better! It was meant to be. Just
a pleasure be with each other.
CW2 Dana Lane
Lancer 55, pilot
Mar 1, 1971 to Dec 8, 1971
I had to thank John McGarr 2
times. He was on Gary Whitty's rescue helicopter and on Tony Beyer's
rescue helicopter. John did not have a Lancer coin, so I gave him
mine. A special time.
CW2 Dana Lane
Lancer 55, pilot
Mar 1, 1971 to Dec 8, 1971
Wow - just learned McGarr was
Whitty's right seat on March 4 on Liz! I said as an irreverent agnostic I only
use the word savior when it comes to Gary Whitty - he saved our lives! Ironically,
going back 4 my flight jacket and map saved their lives as an attempt to reach
them, and board would have cost us all our lives. Fate saved two crews that
day! Still have that flight jacket (dirty and torn) in my garage - gave the map
to some pilot when I left!
May 24
I lack the words to express my
feelings about being with the three men who contributed to one of the most
memorable experiences of my life. I wouldn't wish that day on anyone, but as is
stated in Gen 50, God can use evil for good. I can't speak for Dana, but that
day taught me a lot about being a man and about being a Lancer.
My thanks go out to
everyone who attended and made this such a special weekend. I have every
intention of attending next year at Ft Campbell, and I hope to see more Lancers
in San Antonio next August.
I cannot close this without
thanking Dana for the Lancer coin. I've seen a few coins over the years,
but none of them come close to the simple beauty of this coin and the
history that is included in the design. I'm going to have to think long and
hard about carrying it and running the risk of losing it. Thanks again,
Dana.
Best wishes to one and all,
John McGarr
Lancer 32
"When all is said and
done, usually more is said than done."
I know that reunion affected me,
and I wasn’t even there, so glad it came about!
I was more scary new than you
John McGarr! There are so many Lancers to thank including Whitty's crew
chief and door gunner. I was so very focused on staying alive that
I didn't thank many Lancers in Vietnam. Maybe it was self-preservation,
but I am so glad to thank everyone when I see them now.
Very proud to have served with
the Lancers and appreciate the original guys that passed on their
expertise.
CW2 Dana Lane
Lancer 55, pilot
Mar 1, 1971 to Dec 8, 1971