Museum Restoring Jolly Green Giant

Technicians, airmen, and volunteers are restoring a historic HH-3 “Jolly Green Giant” rescue helicopter for display at the National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. It will become a centerpiece of the museum’s transformed Southeast-Asia War gallery when it emerges from restoration in December, said museum officials. Shipped directly from storage in the boneyard at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., this helicopter (tail number 67-14709) served in combat for 32 months with the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron at DaNang AB, South Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. Its aircrews served with distinction, rescuing 27 US airmen and earning one Air Force Cross and 14 Silver Stars for heroism. After that war, this helicopter was stationed at Osan AB, Korea. In 1979, its crew won the prestigious MacKay Trophy for rescuing 28 sailors shipwrecked in the Yellow Sea. (Dayton report by Terry Aitken)