The officially recorded location for the incident resulting in the death of GILLESPIE, GR YS 476 507, the location for the crash site of the UH-1H model Iroquois helicopter, A2-767, is incorrect.

The location of the crash site and hence the last known location of the remains of GILLESPIE can be established with reasonable certainty as being within a 50 metre radius of the line joining GR YS 477 510 and GR YS 476 511. (See map.)

Shortly after 1620 hours on 17 April 1971, Gillespie was seen to be trapped by one or both legs beneath the burning wreckage of A2-767. However because of the heat from the burning mass, he could not be saved. There is obviously no question that Gillespie died in the wreckage.

The actual extent of incineration of the body of GILLESPIE has not been determined by inspection of the site. The generally accepted opinion that the body was most likely totally incinerated was based on observations of the wreckage by Warrant Officer MAHER from a distance of four feet and on expert opinions offered at the time. A competent authority currently engaged in recovery operations has acknowledged the fact that human remains often survive a 'crash and burn' scenario.

No thorough search of the wreckage was carried out during the period 17 to 26 April 1971 by troops known to be on the ground (RF 302 Battalion accompanied by AATTV Advisors Major Simon Hearder and WO Les Maher). Various documents on Gillespie's file indicate that up until 21 Jul 71 no friendly troops had visited the crash site. There is no evidence to indicate that the site was visited by any Allied troops up until February 1975 and at that time JCRC staff assessed that it would be too dangerous to venture into the area. There is no evidence to indicate that the remains of Gillespie have since been recovered by US authorities; however, the very slight probability that some of the remains of GILLESPIE, unidentified, may be held by CILHI should not be discounted. (A full discussion of subsequent searches and reports is available here.)

The VC or the "bandit clans" had access to the Long Hai until at least some time after May 1984. The possibility exists that any remains of GILLESPIE that survived the fire may have been removed from the wreckage; however, because of their condition and incompleteness, combined with the relative isolation of the site until recent years, as well as the fact that such remains may be underneath the wreckage, it is considered quite possible that such remains may still exist at the incident location.

In all cases the effect of the environment in which any remains survived must be considered, including the fact that the remains may have been interfered with by animals.

Positive identification of any remains located may not be possible under the circumstances.