Keith was a late comer to MilHi, joining us in his Senior year. So he had a few close friends, Jim Meyers, Elizabeth Jeffery and I were there for him. He came from Ontario, OR. He had a beautiful turqoise car. After graduation we lost touch. Then I got letters from Viet Nam from him! He wanted to hear about "home" and I wrote back about the "group". I was reading his letter, when he was listed as dead in Viet Nam in the Oregonian. (He was flying a helicopter, when it was when it malfunction and it came down).
He said his song was "Mr. Lonely". He was a very special person and apparently very brave! Now reciding at Willamette Cemetery.
I sat next to Keith in the trombone section in the band for our senior year. I now feel bad that I was so preoccupied with other things to take the time to get to know him better.
The accident report indicates that Keith's helicopter was not shot down, but rather the accident was the probable result of a mechanical failure .Keith was flying a test flight out of Phuoc Vinh, Vietnam when his helicopter began to spin violently to the right at about 1200 feet. The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association has records on all pilots lost during the Vietnam War: vhpa.org/click on kia info by name/ Rodney Keith Arnold/ click on 68-16429 (the tail number of the helicopter ).
Thank you Chuck. It's good that we finally know what really happened! I stand corrected (everything was a bit blurry at that time). Keith a pilot? Amazing! Helicopters are difficult under best conditions. Again, thank you so very much!
Cathy Waldien (Schmidt)
Keith was a late comer to MilHi, joining us in his Senior year. So he had a few close friends, Jim Meyers, Elizabeth Jeffery and I were there for him. He came from Ontario, OR. He had a beautiful turqoise car. After graduation we lost touch. Then I got letters from Viet Nam from him! He wanted to hear about "home" and I wrote back about the "group". I was reading his letter, when he was listed as dead in Viet Nam in the Oregonian. (He was flying a helicopter, when it was when it malfunction and it came down).
He said his song was "Mr. Lonely". He was a very special person and apparently very brave! Now reciding at Willamette Cemetery.
Gordon Cook
I sat next to Keith in the trombone section in the band for our senior year. I now feel bad that I was so preoccupied with other things to take the time to get to know him better.
Chuck Lovett
The accident report indicates that Keith's helicopter was not shot down, but rather the accident was the probable result of a mechanical failure .Keith was flying a test flight out of Phuoc Vinh, Vietnam when his helicopter began to spin violently to the right at about 1200 feet. The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association has records on all pilots lost during the Vietnam War: vhpa.org/click on kia info by name/ Rodney Keith Arnold/ click on 68-16429 (the tail number of the helicopter ).
Cathy Waldien (Schmidt)
Thank you Chuck. It's good that we finally know what really happened! I stand corrected (everything was a bit blurry at that time). Keith a pilot? Amazing! Helicopters are difficult under best conditions. Again, thank you so very much!
Cathy
Thomas Dietz
Milwaukie Vietman Memorial-Dedicated 11-11-17
Thomas Dietz