Charlotte in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Boeing/Vertol CH-46A/E Sea Knight

By Don Morfe, September 21, 2008

1. Boeing/Vertol CH-46A/E Sea Knight Marker

Inscription. The Boeing CH-46 Sea Knight is a medium-lift tandem rotor cargo helicopter, used by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) to provide all-weather, day-or-night assault transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment. Assault Support is its primary function, and the movement of supplies and equipment is secondary. Additional tasks include combat support, search and rescue, support for forward refueling and rearming points, medivac and Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP). This example on display was built in 1967 and underwent continuous upgrades and modifications during its service life. It was in continuous service in every major conflict with the USMC until it was damaged after a hard landing in Iraq in June 2004. During its service in Vietnam, it was involved in a rescue mission on January 30, 1970 during which the crew chief PFC Raymond “Mike” Clausen’s heroic deeds resulted in his being awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Please read the story of that mission on the black granite marker nearby. This display is dedicated to him, his crew and all who flew this type of helicopter.

Specifications
Type: Cargo Helicopter
Manufacturer: Boeing Vertol Corporation
Status: Active, but being replaced by the MV-22 Osprey (Tilt Rotor)
Numbers Built: 600+
Crew:

Boeing/Vertol CH-46A/E Sea Knight Helicopter image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe, September 21, 2008

2. Boeing/Vertol CH-46A/E Sea Knight Helicopter

4: 2 pilots, 1 crew chief, 1 aerial gunner/observer
Capacity: 25 troops
Length: 45 ft. 8 in. fuselage
Fuselage Width: 7 ft. 3 in.
Max Speed: 165 mph
Combat Radius: 184 miles

Marker series. This marker is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients marker series.

Location. 35° 13.23′ N, 80° 55.818′ W. Marker is in Charlotte, North Carolina, in Mecklenburg County. Marker can be reached from 1st Flight Drive west of Minuteman Drive, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. The marker and helicopter are located on the grounds of the Carolina Aviation Museum. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4672 1st Flight Drive, Charlotte NC 28208, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. PFC Raymond “Mike” Clausen Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Charlotte Speedway (approx. 1.4 miles away); Graham Family Homeplace (approx. 2.4 miles away); Steele Creek Church (approx. 3 miles away); Camp Greene (approx. 3 miles away); Mike McCormack (approx. 4½ miles away); Good Samaritan Hospital (approx. 4½ miles away); J. P. Caldwell (approx. 4.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlotte.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . .

PFC Raymond "Mike" Calusen Memorial image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe, September 21, 2008

3. PFC Raymond "Mike" Calusen Memorial

PFC Clausen was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic action during a rescue mission in this Sea Knight helicopter.

The Carolinas Aviation Museum. (Submitted on October 23, 2013.)

Categories. • Air & Space • War, 2nd Iraq • War, Vietnam •

Medal of Honor Mission Crew image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe

4. Medal of Honor Mission Crew

Carolinas Aviation Museum image. Click for full size.

By Don Morfe, September 21, 2008

5. Carolinas Aviation Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on March 11, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 500 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 11, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 4. submitted on January 10, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 5. submitted on March 11, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.