This Page is dedicated to
W2 Jack Walter Brunson, US Army.

Unit: 131st Aviation Company, 212th Aviation Battalion,
11th Aviation Brigade (see note in text)
Date of Birth: 14 March 1949 (Jamestown NY)
Home City of Record: Sinclairville NY
Date of Loss: 31 May 1971
Country of Loss: Laos
Loss Coordinates: 162013N 1065308E (YD014094)
Status (in 1973): Killed/Body Not Recovered
Category: 3
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: OV1A
Other Personnel In Incident: Clinton A. Musil(missing).
REMARKS:

SYNOPSIS: On May 31, 1971, WO Jack Brunson, pilot,
and Clinton Musil,observer, were flying on a visual
reconnaissance mission when their OV1A Mohawk crashed
and burned due to unknown causes about 6 kilometers
south-southwest of Phou Ke Dai,Savannakhet Province,Laos.
The crew of another aircraft in the area stated that the
flight was proceeding normally, and that Brunson was
having no problems. On the fifth pass over the target,
and in a steep left turn, the observing aircraft lost
sight of Brunson and Musil's aircraft. The observing
aircraft saw a huge ball of flame on the ground. Radio
contact was attempted, but could not be established.
There were no parachutes observed, no electronic beacon
signals heard, and no survivors were seen on the ground.
Due to the hostile threat in the area, no search and
rescue operation was initiated.
Brunson and Musil are among nearly 600 Americans lost
in Laos. Because Laos was not party to the agreements
ending American involvement in Southeast Asia,none of
the Americans the Pathet Lao said they held were ever
released.
Witnesses believe that Brunson and Musil perished in the
crash of their light observation plane on May 31, 1971.
Experts believe that hundreds of other Americans are
still alive today, held prisoner against their will.
Brunson and Musil would gladly fly one more mission for
them. Why can't we bring our men home?
NOTE:

The 20th Aviation Detachment existed until December
1966, at which time it was reassigned as the 131st
Aviation Company, 223rd Aviation Battalion (Combat Support).
The 131st Aviation Company had been assigned to I Corps
Aviation Battalion since June 1966, when it arrived in
Vietnam. In August 1967, the 131st Aviation Company was
reassigned to the 212th Aviation Battalion where it
remained until July 1971, whereupon it transferred out of
Vietnam. There were a large number of pilots lost from
this unit, including Thaddeus E.Williams and James P.
Schimberg (January 9, 1966); John M. Nash and Glenn D.
McElroy (March 15, 1966); James W. Gates and John W.
Lafayette (April 6,1966); Robert G. Nopp and Marshall
Kipina (July 14, 1966); Jimmy M. Brasher and Robert
E. Pittman (September 28, 1966); James M. Johnstone
and James L. Whited (November 19, 1966); Larry F.
Lucas (December 20, 1966); and Jack W. Brunson
and Clinton A. Musil (May 31, 1971). Missing OV1
aircraft crew from the 20th/131st represent well over
half of those lost on OV1 aircraft during the war.
U.S. Army records list both Nopp and Kipina as part of
the "131st Aviation Company, 14th Aviation Battalion",
yet according to "Order of Battle" by Shelby Stanton,
a widely recognized military source, this company was
never assigned to the 14th Aviation Battalion. The 131st
was known as "Nighthawks", and was a surveillance
aircraft company.
Please click the image below

A special thank you going out to Shagnasty for doin this page for me

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