William Boyle

Rafterman

William Boyle

Missing For

Name: William Boyle 5th Special forces Group
D.O.B: 26 Nov. 1938
Home of Record: Watrous, PA
Date of Loss: 28 February. 1970
Country Of Loss: Laos
Coordinates of loss:143753N 1072404E (YB586188)
Status: Killed / Body Not Recovered
Aircarft/Vehichle: Ground
Unit: CCC/MACV-SOG, 5th Special Forces Group

Name: William Boyle
Rank/Branch: E7/US Army Special Forces
Unit: CCC/MACV-SOG, 5th Special Forces Group
Date of Birth: 26 November 1938 (Brooklyn NY)
Home City of Record: Watrous PA
Date of Loss: 28 February 1970
Country of Loss: Laos
Loss Coordinates: 143753N 1072404E (YB586188)
Status (in 1973): Killed/Body Not Recovered
Category: 2
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: CH34
Other Personnel in Incident: (none missing)

REMARKS:

SYNOPSIS: SFC William Boyle was assigned to MACV-SOG (Military Assistance
Command, Vietnam Studies and Observation Group). MACV-SOG was a joint service
high command unconventional warfare task force engaged in highly classified
operations throughout Southeast Asia. The 5th Special Forces channeled
personnel into MACV-SOG (although it was not a Special Forces group) through
Special Operations Augmentation (SOA), which provided their "cover" while under
secret orders to MACV-SOG. The teams performed deep penetration missions of
strategic reconnaissance and interdiction which were called, depending on the
time frame, "Shining Brass" or "Prairie Fire" missions.

On February 28, 1970, SFC Boyle was a passenger in an ARVN CH34 Sikorski
helicopter (serial #554324), call sign "King Bee". The CH34 was a huge gas
powered aircraft that sat high on two great wheels in front, making the pilots
appear to be sitting 2 stories above the ground, and tapering down in back. The
aircraft was an outstanding transport vehicle. The ARVN used the CH34 before
they acquired "Huey" helicopters from the U.S.

Boyle's aircraft was on a resupply/medivac mission in the tri-border area in
Attopeu Province, Laos, when it was hit by enemy ground fire. SFC Boyle had
just completed loading wounded personnel when an enemy rocket hit the
helicopter, cuasing an explosion and subsequent fire. SFC Boyle was observed
just prior to rocket impact standing inside the helicopter and was apparently
trapped inside the aircraft and burned with it.

The wrecked remains of the helicopter and surrounding area were checked
thoroughly, but no bodies could be found after the fire. No other U.S. Army
personnel were lost in the crash of the aircraft. William Boyle was listed as
Killed in Action - Body Not Recovered.

Because no remains were found for SFC Boyle, he is listed with honor among the
missing. Unlike Boyle, the fates of other missing Americans are not as simple.
Many were alive and well the last time they were seen. Some were photographed
or known to have been captives, yet simply disappeared from the prison system.
In all, there are nearly 2500 still missing, prisoner, or unaccounted for in
Indochina.

When American involvement in the Indochina war ended in 1975, refugees began to
flood the world, bringing with them stories of Americans still held captive.
Since that time, nearly 10,000 reports have been received regarding missing
Americans. Most authorities believe Americans are still alive. Few agree on how
to bring them home.