155th Assault Helicopter Company

• Origins and Formation: The 155th Assault Helicopter Company, known as the "Stagecoach" and "Falcon," was activated in 1965 and deployed to Vietnam, becoming a key aviation unit supporting ground operations. • Call Signs: The company used the radio call signs "Stagecoach" for its slick UH-1 Hueys and "Falcon" for its gunships, names that became iconic among Vietnam War aviation units. • Location in Vietnam: The 155th was initially stationed at Vinh Long before moving to Ban Me Thuot in Darlac Province, central highlands of Vietnam, where it operated for most of the war. • Aircraft: The company operated UH-1D/H Iroquois ("Huey") helicopters for troop transport and UH-1C/M gunships for close air support, playing crucial roles in airmobile operations. • Notable Operations: The 155th participated in major operations such as the Battle of Duc Lap, the defense of Ban Me Thuot, and various search-and-destroy missions throughout II Corps Tactical Zone. • Medal of Honor Action: Warrant Officer Michael J. Novosel, who flew with the 155th, received the Medal of Honor for rescuing 29 wounded soldiers under heavy fire in October 1969. • Casualties and Heroism: The unit suffered significant casualties, with numerous pilots and crew members recognized for their bravery, including several Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal recipients. • Stagecoach Patch: The company’s distinctive patch featured a stagecoach and crossed six-shooters, symbolizing their fast and daring “Wild West” approach to helicopter warfare. • Legacy and Reunions: Former members of the 155th AHC maintain an active veteran’s community, holding reunions and maintaining a detailed online history to honor their service and fallen comrades. • Deactivation: The 155th Assault Helicopter Company was inactivated in late 1970 as part of the U.S. drawdown in Vietnam, but its legacy lives on in Army Aviation history.