Rattler/Firebird Association


Robert Lee Banks

Name Robert Lee Banks
Rank/Grade WO - W1 - Army - Reserve
Age 21
Marital Status Married
Race Caucasian
Gender Male
Date of Birth Feb 22, 1945
From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Length of Service 2 years
Tour Began Jun 19, 1966
Casualty Date Aug 27, 1966
Location SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile/Non-Hostile   Non-Hostile, died missin
Classification HELICOPTER - PILOT AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body Recovered Yes
Religion Roman Catholic

Vietnam Memorial

 

 Panel 10E - - Line 50
Robert Lee Banks

Visitor Comments

Posted by:George F. Bailey
Date:Tuesday, June 11, 2002 3:18 PM UTC
Relationship:Fellow Rattler, fellow American.
From:South Orange, NJ
Comments:Bob Banks and I got along immediaqtely after he arrived, probably because of our big city backgrounds (I'm from NYC).
I'll never forget the feeling I had when I was told of the crash that took his life as well as the lives of three other fine men; one, W.O. Perkins, who was about to DROS. Bob was in country for only 2 months and it shook me up big time.

I know I have a picture of him as well as pictures of a lot of Rattlers vintage '66 & '67. I'll try to dig one up to send in so that he can be seen in this place of honor. Thanks, Gary, for putting this remembrance page together.

There is a wall in Philadelphia commemorating those killed in Vietnam. When I found it (really I stumbled across it), I couldn't stop staring at his name. I haven't been to the wall in DC yet. Now I think I'll hold off until 2004 so that I can be there with you guys.

GB
Rattler 29
March '66 - March '67
Posted by:Paul W. Beverung
Date:Thursday, October 17, 2002 7:30 PM UTC
Relationship:Stick mate at Fort Wolters
From:Parker County, Texas
Comments:Bob and I had the same instruckter in P1 at Wolters. I have pictures of him on the flight line that I will try and find. When I do I'll send them along. When I got to RVN and the Rattlers, Bob was one of the first to greet me. Seeing him, Dennis Hand and Charlie Morehouse made me feel right at home. The day that he and Perkins went down was a real bummer to say the least. I remember that I was in the hall way near the day room area when someone told me the news. I can't remember exactly how I felt at that time. Maybe I'm still trying not to believe it. Bob had gotten married right after flight school. I've always thought that was the saddest part of his going. So unfare for his wife and him. God Bless Him Always
Posted by:Richard A. Banks
Date:Thursday, January 15, 2004 2:43 PM UTC
Relationship:brother
From:Wenonah, NJ
Comments:I would love to hear form anyone who knew my oldest brother. As all of you are, he was a hero in the truest sense of the word. Please send me any photos you may have of him and if others are in the photo as well, that is great too.
Posted by:Wallace R Paddock
Date:Sunday, June 4, 2006 9:36 PM UTC
Relationship:Flight school classmate
From:Fort Worth
Comments:Bob and I were roomates at Fort Rucker for our advanced flight training. Our first three days at Fort Rucker was spent waxing a floor that was stauned with what, appeared to be, ink stains. We would get a good shine on the floor then a senior candidate would come in and order us to polish the floor and eliminate the stain. We never did get the stain out but we had a lot of laughs over it! He was a good friend and he will be remembered always!
Posted by:Jason Coad
Date:Saturday, October 3, 2009 2:33 PM UTC
Relationship:Interested Veteran
From:Fort Benning
Comments:I belong to a website called www.army.togetherweserved.com . This website is for current and former military members. I have chosen to adopt your brother as a Fallen Warrior and make a profile for him in order to honor him. I would appreciate any information regarding his awards, units or whatever in order to complete his profile. Once the profile is completed, I would like to send you a copy of it in didgital shawdowbox format.
I am a current Active Duty Army Infantry Officer. I have served two years in Iraq and I am currently serving a tour in Afghanistan. I have been in the Army for 12 years. I graduated from the Citadel in 2003 and was 5.5 yrs enlisted in the Army.
I am very interested in memorializing any fallen warrior. I also remember a friend of mine and his father telling me that he has an uncle who died in Vietnam while serving as a Helo pilot. Both of their names are Chuck Banks and they live in Pevely, MO. Pevely was a neighboring city next to Festus where I was born.
If there is anything else that you would like to know about myself, I am willing to share the information. I do not get any money for this, nor am I asking for anything, but just to honor your brother.

v/r
Jason Coad
CPT, United States Army
Afghanistan
Posted by:Susan Lee (Banks) Latif
Date:Monday, May 26, 2014 3:36 AM UTC
Relationship:First Niece
From:Milmay
Comments:I never met my Uncle and afraid to Ask about him. I felt that my family never healed from the tragedy, and could not talk about it. Thank you for this site. This is where I get to meet him, thru you.
I would like to know more and be able to share with my family, I do not want him to be forgotten. I live near the Millville Army Air Field Museum in NJ. I took my daughter and both Nephews to
shared with them that we too have a Solider that is a Hero, He is real and not just a picture on my aunts wall.
Posted by:Susan Lee (Banks) Latif
Date:Monday, May 26, 2014 4:03 AM UTC
Relationship:First Niece
From:Milmay, NJ
Comments:I never met my Uncle and afraid to ask about him. I felt that my family never healed from the tragedy, and could not talk about it. Thank you for this site. This is where I get to meet him, thru you.
I would like to know more and be able to share with my family, I do not want him to be forgotten. I live near the Millville Army Air Field Museum in NJ. I took my daughter and both Nephews to
shared with them that we too have a Solider that is a Hero, He is real and not just a picture on my aunts wall. Thank you for posting pictures. Please share if you have more to share with me.
Thank you.
Posted by:elaine leone masciantonio
Date:Monday, June 26, 2017 12:45 AM UTC
Relationship:very very close friend
From:williamstown, nj (south philly )
Comments:I still miss you, You live in my Heart
Posted by:Lisa “Bank” Christman
Date:Monday, May 27, 2019 8:24 PM UTC
Relationship:First niece
From:Williamstown nj
Comments:Your are my Hero I never met. He was killed before I was born. I wish I knew more about you. But the family never got over the pain of losing you and couldn’t talk about it. We were afraid to ask. I didn’t want to bring up old wounds. I’m proud to be called your niece. My boys will know you
Posted by:Roger Howell
Date:Tuesday, November 12, 2019 4:53 AM UTC
Relationship:My brother Randy Howell died in this cra
From:Tyler texas
Comments:Yes , they both lived , fought , and died in the same crash . Along with 2 other courageous young heroes . Sad after 50 years still .
Posted by:elaine leone masciantonio
Date:Thursday, October 12, 2023 11:36 PM UTC
Relationship:we were very very close
From:williamstown nj
Comments:he will always live in my heart i miss him

 

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