Photo's of Bill Proud

Bill Proud went into the service October 15, 1964, and after Fort Rucker he was sent to South Korea. While serving in South Korea, Bill, was assigned to the 155th Aviation Company and then went to South Vietnam. Upon arrival, the 155th Aviation Company was infused into the 1st Infantry Division. They became A Company, 1st Aviation Battalion, 1st Infantry Division at Pho Loi and they had the call sign, "Rebels." Bill rotated back to the States in April of 1966 and was sent to Fort Hood, Texas. After a couple of months of doing absolutely nothing, he volunteered for the 240th soon to be forming across the highway at Grey Army Airfield. Bill Proud was one of the first half dozen new 240th members to check in. He stayed with the 240th until his ETS in Ocotober of 1967. We thank Bill for sending us his pictures and words and we are proud to have him as a part of our 240th AHC websites.


Bill says this is Captain Vern Tranter on the left and WO George Fabian on the right and according to Bill, these guys were two great pilots. Captain Tranter was White Flight's first platoon leader. Mr. Fabian was called "The Scrounge" because of his ability to somehow be able to come up with items that no one else could get their hands on. WO Fabian moved into the gun platoon or as it was soon named , "The Maddogs."



Bill pointed out in his email that the tree line and hooches were on fire in this photo and it was a very HOT LZ! Our Greyhound SLICKS couldn't break formation, no matter how much fire they were receiving, as they had to get the GRUNTS in to confront Charlie. It was at times like this that our Greyhound Pilots and crewchief/doorgunners were at their best. Ask any Greyhound Pilot and he'll tell you how much those two doorgunners meant to getting in and out of a HOT LZ alive. Bill Proud and the other Greyhound GIBS (Guys In Back) often put down devastating M-60 machine gun fire to keep the enemy pinned downed in order to get in and out of the LZ. Of course, ask Bill Proud to the flying ability of our Greyhound Pilot's at times like this and he'll tell you they were nothing short of excellent! They made a fine fighting team!


This particular photo was taken on September 26, 1967 at Bearcat, Republic of South Vietnam. Here a group of crewchiefs and doorgunners were receiving Air Medals for flying combat assaults with the 240th Assault Helicopter Company. Back Row, left to right: Bill Upham, Marty Klann. Middle Row, left to right: Jim Riegelman, Joe Annett, Ralph Tarka, Bobby Harper and Earl Derossett. Bottom Row, left to right: Lester Kendall, Bill Strout, Tom Heburn, and Gilbert. Well done, guys, you did a darn good job, stand tall and walk proud!


This is a photo taken by Bill Proud showing a captured Viet Cong, in the back of Bill's SLICK, after this particular VC decided he was going to take on the Greyhounds and Mad Dogs of the 240th AHC. I guess you could say it was Charlie's lucky day because he was headed for a POW camp instead of being in a body bag. Good job done by Bill Proud and the rest of his crew.


According to Bill Proud, Here's a wonderful heart warming shot of Gary Vaughn telling, Moore, "You're my gunner tomorrow."


Left to Rt. Bill Upham, Bill Strout, Tom Heburn, Ralph Tarka, Bill Proud, Noel Sherpherd, Jim Riegelman, Art Valenzuela. Taken Sept. 26,1967.


MAD DOGS, GREYHOUNDS, KENNEL KEEPERS