Thomas Richard Poundstone

Thomas Richard Poundstone was raised in Clarion, a town in Wright County. He joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1966 and trained as a helicopter pilot. He completed a tour in Vietnam and was killed during his second deployment. His second tour began in July 1969 and he was serving with the 180th Assault Helicopter Company in the 1st Aviation Brigade. 1LT Poundstone was piloting a CH-47C Chinook helicopter when it crashed in foggy weather on September 16, 1969. Poundstone, and four other Americans, were killed in the accident. The incident took place southwest of Tam Quan City in the Binh Dinh Province, South Vietnam. 1LT Poundstone was 25 years old at the time of his death. His remains were returned to Iowa and buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion.