Lester Alan Hansen

Vietnam War
Unit170th Aviation Company
RankChief Warrant Officer Third Class U.S. Army
Entered Service FromPueblo Colorado
Date of DeathAugust 13 1969
StatusMissing In Action
Memorialized
Courts of the Missing
Court
B
Notes
Chief Warrant Officer, Third Class Hansen was a member of the 170th Helicopter Assault Company, 52nd Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade. On August 13, 1969, he was the pilot of a Bell Iroquois Utility Helicopter (UH-1H) with the mission of inserting a group in southern Kontum Province, South Vietnam where the Sang Sung River turns sharply to the east. His aircraft was hit by enemy fire and crashed. Another helicopter began rescuing the crew, but Chief Warrant Officer, Third Class Hansen was not able to climb aboard and grabbed the rescue helicopter's skid. At about 200 feet he lost his grip and fell to his death. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.