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Huey Helicopter in Vietnam Experience Dedicated to Fallen Vietnam War Hero
Molly Hamilton Jul 02, 2015On the evening of Monday, June 22, guests came from all around to honor a man that many never knew. During a ceremony, the Huey helicopter on the grounds of the Vietnam Experience exhibit was named in memory of Army Specialist Kenneth M. Plavcan – a native of Parma, Ohio who was killed while serving on the helicopter in the Vietnam War.
During the renovation of the Vietnam Experience last year, employees and staff members of Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum realized that the Helicopter UH-1C 66-15005 had served in the Vietnam War and that during that time, a veteran had been killed in action aboard the Huey. Through additional research, they learned that the fallen hero was Kenneth M. Plavcan, a gunner in the 116th Assault Helicopter Company, 3rd Gun Platoon (“Stingers”).
Employees were able to locate Plavcan’s sister, Andrea Hubach, living in Ohio and asked her if she would come down for a ceremony honoring her brother. She was touched by the gesture and agreed to come and bring her family, including her son Ken Hubach (named for the uncle he never knew).
Flowers on the grave of Kenneth Plavcan in Holy Cross Cemetery in Brook Park, Ohio.
On the day of the ceremony, the museum arranged to have flowers left at the grave of Kenneth Plavcan in a cemetery outside of Cleveland, Ohio.
Later that evening at the Vietnam Experience exhibit as the Patriot Guard Riders stood watch, many gathered to honor a war hero who will be forever tied to Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. The Honor Guard from Joint Base Charleston posted the colors for the ceremony and several veterans shared stories about Specialist Plavcan’s service to our country. Before the tribute to Plavcan on the side of the Huey helicopter was unveiled, his nephew Ken Hubach, offered words of thanks for the efforts to remember the uncle he never had the opportunity to know.
For more photos of the ceremony, see below:
A Patriot Guard Rider stands in front of the Huey named in memory of Kenneth Plavcan
The Huey Helicopter in which Army Specialist Kenneth M. Plavcan was killed in October 1968 during the Vietnam War.
The family of Kenneth Plavcan stands for the presentation of the colors and National Anthem.
A Patriot Guard Rider listens as Patriots Point Executive Director Mac Burdette begins the ceremony
Patriots Point Executive Director Mac Burdette
Vietnam veterans stand to be recognized during the ceremony
Patriots Point Foundation Chairman Mike Sudzina who also chairs the Patriots Point Aircraft Recognition Committee
The family of Kenneth Plavcan unveils the new honor on the side of the Huey
Ken Hubach, nephew of Kenneth Plavcan, offers thanks for the honor given to his uncle
A salute to the fallen
Helicopter crew veterans salute the fallen hero
In memory of Army Specialist Kenneth M. Plavcan
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Bring Scrappy to life on the USS Yorktown!
Wished I had known Kenneth I served in 135 AHC in viet nam lost a gunner in feb 68
I used to work with Andrea and attended Ken’s funeral. Such a terrible time for the family. I have kept them in my heart always.
This ship was my last as Crew Chief with the 335th AHC. It became a Mike model in early May 1971. On one of my first flights afterward we took 20 or more hits on a mission providing gunship coverage for a CH47 that was relocating a riverside fort in the Mecong Delta near Ben Tre.
It was my last flight with 005, as she took hundreds of sheet metal hours work to return to flight. As I was leaving my company on the morning of Jun 12, 1971, 005 was flying in as I flew out to 90th Repo.