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Episode 098: 1965-05-29 | Knights of the Air
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on May 29, 1965, from a moment of rare quiet. There’s no mission that day, just rest and reflection—and a bit of flair. The letter comes on what he jokingly calls “sexy paper,” printed with silhouettes of a Huey helicopter and a white knight chess piece. These symbols represent Popi’s unit: the 114th Aviation Company, better known as the Knights of the Air.
Formed in 1963 and stationed at Vinh Long in the Mekong Delta, the 114th was one of the Army’s first helicopter companies to see sustained combat in Vietnam. They set the standard for modern air mobility: flying into hot zones, rescuing the wounded, escorting troops, and providing fire support across some of the most dangerous terrain in the war. After nine years of combat service, the unit was reassigned to Panama, where it continued operations in disaster relief, regional support, and humanitarian aid until its deactivation. Veterans of the 114th stayed connected long after, forming an association that keeps the memory alive through reunions, archival projects, and even a coffee table book—where Popi makes a brief appearance. In many ways, they were the unsung lifelines of the war. They got people in. They got people out. And then they kept flying.
What’s Covered:
- Popi’s May 29 letter, written on custom 114th Aviation Company stationery
- A tribute to the “Knights of the Air” and the 114th’s combat role in the Vietnam War
- Reflections on the white knight symbol and how Popi carried it into his personal life
- A brief history of the 114th’s post-war service in Panama and its lasting legacy
- The everyday work that made the Vietnam War the first truly helicopter-driven conflict
📷 Featured Photo: A group of U.S. and ARVN commanding officers huddle over papers laid across the hood of a jeep—a practical, ever-present vehicle on safer ground. Born in World War II and still in use today, the jeep became a symbol of movement and coordination, both then and now.
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VietnamWar #114thAviation #KnightsOfTheAir #HueyHelicopter #Popi #MilitaryHistory #HelicopterWar #FamilyHistory #WarLetters #InheritTheStories #DearestSuzie #VinhLong #PanamaZone #OralHistory
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