Edwin Josef Luckstead

Clinton County native Edwin Josef Luckstead grew up in Charlotte, IA. He graduated from Northeast Community High School out of Goose Lake, IA before attending Iowa Wesleyan College and the University of Dubuque. Luckstead was drafted by the Army in June 1965 and trained as an infantryman; he later became a helicopter door gunner. SP4 Luckstead deployed to Southeast Asia in November 1965 and was assigned to Company C of the 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion in the 1st Cavalry Division. In Vietnam, he served as a door gunner aboard UH-1D Huey Helicopters. On September 24, 1966 SP4 Luckstead’s aircraft was the last in a formation of multiple helicopters returning to base when it went missing. There was not a radio distress call nor any confirmed sighting of the chopper going down. A few days later the downed Huey was located. All occupants were found dead in the wreckage. The Army indicated it was a mechanical failure that brought down the helicopter. SP4 Luckstead was 22 years old at the time of his death. Three other Americans died in the crash. The Iowan’s body was returned to the United States and buried at the Elmwood Cemetery in Clinton County.