Richard Neil Concannon

Keokuk native Richard Neil Concannon was killed on February 15, 1971 in South Vietnam. He was described by people who knew him as “funny and gentle.” Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Concannon began his tour in Vietnam in April 1970. He served on a Huey helicopter that conducted rescue operations into the Vietnamese countryside. On the day he was killed his aircraft departed Camp Eagle on an emergency nighttime evacuation mission. After extracting the wounded soldier via lift rig, the aircraft proceeded onto Phu Bai. Throughout the duration of the flight the helicopter fought monsoon rains and heavy wind. At some point during the Huey’s final landing approach the wounded comrade hanging below the chopper on the lift rig became tangled in trees. The aircraft proceeded to crash and burn. Seven soldiers were killed in the accident including CWO Concannon. The 24-year-old’s body was returned to Iowa and buried at the Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk.