A new book includes the account of a Webster County man who paid the ultimate sacrifice during a helicopter rescue mission in the Vietnam War. “Helicopter Rescues Vietnam: Volume XI” is the latest in a series of independently published books authored by Phil Marshall. Each volume stands alone and documents at least 20 true stories of daring helicopter rescues as told by the men who flew them. The 11th book in Marshall’s continuing series includes the chapter “Honoring Bill Seaborn.” WO1 William H. “Bill” Seaborn Jr., a helicopter pilot from Walthall, was mortally wounded during a rescue mission on Jan. 22, 1971. He was the only Eupora High School graduate to lose his life in Vietnam. A headstone was dedicated in Seaborn’s honor during a memorial service at Hebron Cemetery northeast of Walthall in May 2017. Retired Army Capt. Richard Toops of Texas gave a speech there honoring Seaborn, who was his best friend in Vietnam. Toops was the 23-year-old’s commanding officer and assistant flight commander. On the day of the fatal mission, they were attempting to put Special Forces troops down on ladders near the crash site of another helicopter that had been shot down in a Viet Cong base camp. Toops and four others were in the helicopter Seaborn was pilot when they encountered enemy fire and were shot down. Seven people on both helicopters were killed, including Seaborn. Before they took off, Seaborn had asked Toops to put on a chest armor plate. That would save his life. Toops’ memorial service speech is reproduced in full in the chapter that covers the rescue mission along with an incident summary from the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association website and eyewitness statements from six of the surviving Special Forces solders who participated in the rescue mission. The chapter also includes two photos of Seaborn in Vietnam. “I am just grateful, that because of Phil Marshall, Bill’s sacrifice and our story will not be forgotten, but now it will be recorded forever, one of the many rescue stories of the Vietnam War,” Toops said of the author’s latest effort, which is dedicated to all veterans in all wars. Marshall, who served as a medevac helicopter pilot in Vietnam in 1969, was wounded on an insecure night rescue of three seriously wounded soldiers. Because of the nature of his wounds, he was returned to the States, where he served out the rest of his enlistment and was honorably discharged. For more information about his books, visit “Helicopter Rescue Missions” on Facebook. “Helicopter Rescues Vietnam: Volume XI” is available through Amazon.com, or signed copies ($20 including postage, no tax) may be ordered by contacting Marshall at dmz.dustoff@yahoo.com or 937-371-3643. His mailing address is Phil Marshall, 1063 Cardinal Drive, Enon, Ohio 45323.
