During this period of time there was a joint service Civic Action operation in the Trust Territories of the Pacific (TTPI) with the Navy in the lead. There were 14 man engineer detachments in the Marshall Islands, Mariana Islands, Yap, Palau, Truk and Ponape. Four were Navy Seabee’s, one was Air Force Red Horse, and one Army from the 1st Special Forces Group on Okinawa.
The headquarters for this operation was out of the Seabee base of Camp Covington, Guam. This small HQ unit had one Air Force material handling specialist and two Army Officers assigned. One Army Officer was a projects officer the other the re-supply coordinator. CPT Reilly and CPT Soltesz were filling these positions. They were TDY from the 539th Engineer Detachment, 1st Special Forces Group, Okinawa.
For 10-14 days every 6 weeks, a C-130 was assigned from either the PI or Taiwan to haul beer, soda, food, building supplies and equipment to these remote teams as well as a Coast Guard LORAN station in Angaur, Palau. The trip to the Marshall Islands was always an RON, the others out and back. Ponape could go either way. This was a lot of flying so the Air Force usually sent two complete flight crews. In December of 1972 64-0505 had this mission.
I only have first hand knowledge of the Army officers. CPTs Reilly and Soltesz both survived the crash. CPT Soltesz was burned over 50% of his body and spent about a year in the hospital on Okinawa. I do not know if he ever returned to duty. CPT Reilly survived almost unscathed. I believe that he may have broken a finger or toe. He stated that he saw a hole open up just behind the flight deck and jumped out. CPT Reilly continued on Active Duty after the crash.
The above is true to the best of my recollection the following is rumor and hearsay which may or may not agree with the official report.
Allegedly one of the Pilots meet a PanAm stewardess the day before the crash and invited her to participate in some pattern work. The flight crew was practicing some one engine out touch and gos when they lost the engine on the same side that they shut down or feathered. The engine was lost at a point of no return where there was not enough runway to stop and not enough power to take off. It is my understanding that the pilot unsuccessfully tried to do a 180 degree power slide to save the plane. There were rumors that the stewardess was sitting at the controls.
I have discussed this crash with both Reilly and Soltesz. They both mentioned that the stewardess was on board and on the flight deck but unfortunately I cannot remember what they said about the stewardess at the controls.
CPT Reilly is a man of great ethics and honor. I would believe whatever he stated in the official report. Under the circumstances he had no reason to be untruthful.
