Sgt Gregory Hankamer

SgtGregory L Hankamer
Air Force
Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, 56th SPS
13MAY75, Non-Hostile: Helicopter Crash

Tribute by Luke and Kristen Hankamer

 

I am Retired Master Sergeant Luther F. Hankamer, II, USAF. Greg was my younger brother and I was the last of our family to see him alive. While he was at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB: I was at Udorn RTAFB. Greg and his wife (Dim) and new baby (Sandra) were secduled to rotate back to the states in November of 1974, but he extended an extra six months. I saw him in early December when I was getting ready to rotate. I would like to thank the Vietnam Security Police Association for the web page and recognition of the men who died in the line of duty. Greg is the third person on the left side of the Helicopter in the picture on the SS Mayaques Rescue Operation page.

 

Thanks again,
Luther F. Hankamer II
MSgt, USAF Ret.

USAF 56th SPS aboard C-130 for Mayaguez Rescue Attempt, prior to crash which killed all aboard.

Official Information

GREGORY L HANKAMER
 SGT - Air Force
21 year old Male
Born on Sep 15, 1953
From SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA
Casualty was on May 13, 1975
NON-HOSTILE, Helicopter Crash
SS Mayaguez Rescue Operation
(Cambodia)
56th Security Police Squadron,
Nakhon Phanom, Thailand
Body was recovered
Panel 01W - - Line 126

 

From: Lonnie
Subject: VSPA: Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Stories: USAF 56th SPS
AIC-SSgt LONNIE C. FLOWERS
FEB 71-DEC71, MAR 72-OCT 74
(TSgt RETIRED)

GREG HANKERMER HAD PAID ME BACK THE MONEY I HAD LENT TO HIM TO BY HIS WIFE'S WEDDING RING THE WEEK BEFORE HE GAVE HIS LIFE. I RETURNED, WHAT WAS LEFT OF HIS M16 TO THE ARMORY, AFTER DRIVING THAI AIR FORCE AND "SEA RATS" OUT TO THE SITE THE FOLLOWING EVENING.

BILL MCKELVEY AND I HAD AN ARGUMENT A COUPLE NIGHTS BEFORE ABOUT ME GETTING A LINE NUMBER FOR SSgt BEFORE HIM. "YOU'LL MAKE IT ON THE "B" CYCLE MACK!" WAS ONE OF THE LAST WORDS WE SPOKE. I ALWAYS UNDERSTOOD THAT HE DID?

THANKS FOR REMEMBERING, I ALWAYS WILL!!

LONNIE