219 Headhunters
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    • 2007 Atlanta, GA Album #5 Reunion Dinner
    • 2005 Daytona Beach, Florida
    • Video Shorts from Daytona Speedway & New Bird Dog Flies In
    • 2003 FT. Worth, Texas
    • 2001 Annapolis, Maryland
    • 1999 Annapolis, Maryland
    • Photos Courtesy Thomas Neilsen- 1965-66
    • Courtesy John Elmendorf - 1966
    • Photos Courtesy Lou Costello- 1965-66
    • Photos Courtesy Wayne Ammerman - 1965-66
    • EDWARD McCARTY PHOTOS '65-'66
    • Photos Courtesy Don Jordon - 1967*
    • Photos Courtesy Victor Hickok - 1966-67
    • Photos Courtesy Troy Duplessis - HH52 6/66-3/67
    • Photos Courtesy Al Paulsen - 1967-68
    • Photos Courtesy Ray Borza - 1967-68 (Camp Holloway)
    • Photos Courtesy Barry Mainardi - 1969
    • Photos Courtesy Grant McRorie- 1969-70
    • Photos Courtesy Douglas Krout - 1969-70
    • Photos Courtesy Frank Doherty - 1969-70
    • Photos Courtesy Martin Runkle - 1969-70 Camp Holloway
    • Photos Courtesy SP/5 Rich Anthes 1969-70 Camp Holloway
    • "Peter Gets A Bath"
    • "219th Vietnam Flight Scenes"
    • ROBERT KROMAN Photos- 1970-71
    • 219th 2nd Platoon Crewchiefs at An Khe 1970
    • TOM KAHLERT Photos- 1970-71
    • EDWIN CHUBB Photos - 1971
  • Past Commanders
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      • Part 1
      • Part 2
      • Part 3
  • Past Reunions
  • Unit Awards
  • Unit History
    • History of the 219th
  • Other Unit Links
  • Get In Touch
  • Who We Are
  • Members Only - Password
  • Home
    • "The Bird Dog's Tale"
    • L-19 Birddog - in "Cessna Warbirds"
  • Roster
  • Reunion 2017
    • Reunion 2011 >
      • Letter from A Headhunter's Son
    • Reunion 2009
    • Reunion 2007 >
      • Air Show Program Cover
      • Special Write-Up
      • Winners
      • Group Photo
  • Store
    • Order Form
    • HH Polo Shirt
  • Combat Stories
    • About Combat Stories
    • 219th AVIATION COMPANY PERSONNEL
  • Obituaries
  • Guest Book
  • Memorial Wall
    • Vietnam Memorial Wall
    • Vietnam Wall Facts >
      • Tribute to All Vietnam Vets- General Anthony Zinni
    • Tribute to Major Arlie Deaton
    • Birddog Unit Memorial
  • Photo Gallery
    • Beach Boy's Singer Mike Love
    • Headhunter Group Pictures
    • 2019 (Cruise Oct 2019- Mariner of the Seas )
    • 2015 (Ft Rucker/Dothan, Alabama)
    • 2011 Parris Island Marine Training Base
    • 2011 Frog More Stew Dinner at Fletch Maffett Home
    • 2011 Reunion Dinner #1 Holiday Inn Beaufort
    • 2011 Reunion Dinner #2 Holiday Inn Beaufort
    • 2009 Ft. Rucker Army Aviation Museum
    • 2009 Sky Ranch in Baker, Florida
    • 2009 Banquet at Enterprise Country Club
    • 2009 Breakfast Sunday Going Home
    • 2007 Atlanta, GA
    • 2007 Atlanta, GA ALBUM #2 Georgia Aquarium
    • 2007 Atlanta, GA Album #3 Low Country Boil
    • 2007 Atlanta, GA Album #4 Great Air Show
    • 2007 Atlanta, GA Album #5 Reunion Dinner
    • 2005 Daytona Beach, Florida
    • Video Shorts from Daytona Speedway & New Bird Dog Flies In
    • 2003 FT. Worth, Texas
    • 2001 Annapolis, Maryland
    • 1999 Annapolis, Maryland
    • Photos Courtesy Thomas Neilsen- 1965-66
    • Courtesy John Elmendorf - 1966
    • Photos Courtesy Lou Costello- 1965-66
    • Photos Courtesy Wayne Ammerman - 1965-66
    • EDWARD McCARTY PHOTOS '65-'66
    • Photos Courtesy Don Jordon - 1967*
    • Photos Courtesy Victor Hickok - 1966-67
    • Photos Courtesy Troy Duplessis - HH52 6/66-3/67
    • Photos Courtesy Al Paulsen - 1967-68
    • Photos Courtesy Ray Borza - 1967-68 (Camp Holloway)
    • Photos Courtesy Barry Mainardi - 1969
    • Photos Courtesy Grant McRorie- 1969-70
    • Photos Courtesy Douglas Krout - 1969-70
    • Photos Courtesy Frank Doherty - 1969-70
    • Photos Courtesy Martin Runkle - 1969-70 Camp Holloway
    • Photos Courtesy SP/5 Rich Anthes 1969-70 Camp Holloway
    • "Peter Gets A Bath"
    • "219th Vietnam Flight Scenes"
    • ROBERT KROMAN Photos- 1970-71
    • 219th 2nd Platoon Crewchiefs at An Khe 1970
    • TOM KAHLERT Photos- 1970-71
    • EDWIN CHUBB Photos - 1971
  • Past Commanders
  • Events
  • What's New
  • Articles
    • Cessna At War
  • News
  • Headhunter Blogs
    • Headhunter Song >
      • Part 1
      • Part 2
      • Part 3
  • Past Reunions
  • Unit Awards
  • Unit History
    • History of the 219th
  • Other Unit Links
  • Get In Touch
  • Who We Are
  • Members Only - Password

OBITUARIES
​

In Honor of All Those Who

Served as Headhunters


Some 5,000 Brave & Loyal personnel were assigned to the 219th Aviation Company (RECON) in the Republic of South Vietnam during the period July 1965-December 1971.

​​These pages honor those who have passed away with one farewell message...

...."Thank you for your service to our country - WELCOME HOME!"
After many years it is difficult to find the specific details of those fellow Headhunters who have passed away, including finding copies of their obituaries. However, those who do remember have shared what they know and perhaps this way, overtime, we will honor as many as possible all those who served as Headhunters. If you have information on an individual Headhunter please share it for posting here by emailing their Obituary. (Please include a photo if available)

COL FLETCHER MAFFETT

7/15/2021

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Picture
​COL FLETCHER MAFFETT (Passed June 30, 2018) 

Fletch was the 219th Company Commander from 24 Sep 67 to 29 Feb 68. Fletch was a very popular Headhunter and a fixture at most of our 219th reunions. 

Colonel Fletcher (“Fletch”) Haynsworth Maffett, Sr (U.S. Army, Retired), Age 85.

     “Fletch” Maffett was born in Florence, SC on 17 January 1933, the eldest son of Robert F. and Ouida M. Maffett. After high school, he married his sweetheart, Ruth S. Maffett (also of Florence).  

     Fletch joined the U.S. Army National Guard as a Private First Class during the time of the Korean Conflict and would soon thereafter enlist into active duty where he was soon promoted to Sergeant and was selected for Officer Candidate School. Upon completion of OCS, he was commissioned into the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant. As a young Captain, Fletch switched from Artillery to the Signal Corps and became an observation pilot flying Cessna O1 Birddogs, which would become his passion. 

     During the Vietnam War, Fletch was promoted to Major and was a Flight Company Commander where he would receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and nine Air Medals for gallantry in action, among other citations.  

     While in the Army, Fletch would receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Omaha, and his Master’s Degree from the University of Georgia. Fletch would also become a Communications Battalion Commander in Fort Richardson, AK and later working at the Pentagon for various assignments to include the Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Army and the early developer of C3 Communications for the entire U.S. Armed Forces, which would later become the gold standard for all communications systems for the private sector today. 

     Fletch retired from the U.S. Army 1984 as a Colonel and continued to work with various government contractors with the Department of Defense until deciding to become a Son of Beaufort in 2006. In Beaufort, he would become a dedicated member of the Rotary Club, the Honor Flight team representing Savannah, GA (and surrounding communities), Friends of Hunting Island Sea Turtle Conservation Project, and was highly active on the Alzheimer’s Board of Beaufort. 

     Fletch is survived by his son, Fletcher (age 61); daughter, Sharon (age 58); granddaughter, Marjorie (age 34), and great-granddaughter, Zora Mae (age 4). 

     A memorial service will be held to honor Fletch at the First Presbyterian Church in Beaufort on Thursday, 5 July 2018 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, a donation toward your choice of Alzheimer’s prevention charity organizations would be greatly appreciated.

 

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© 2021 Eagle Team Publishing Group. All information on this website is the property of the brave military personnel who sacrificed their time and well being by putting themselves in harm's way in the service of their country. This website is dedicated to those 219th Aviation Company Headhunters personnel & their families who made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives in this service. Permission for the use of any content on this website is reserved for use by any person who served on active military duty with the 219th Aviation Company . All others must obtain written permission in advance by contacting bob@219headhunters.com