Marine Pilot Steals Helicopter - Instant Regret!

Lt Colonel Charles "Chuck" Pitman probably didn't regret stealing a helicopter, but the sniper that he helped take out regretted Chuck was in town. Chuck probably also never expected the military would want to court-martial him! This is not your typical pilot debrief talking about an aviation mishap because I felt it was time to share a story about a pilot that broke all the rules and actually saved lives and I hope you enjoy the video!

#aviation #flying #pilotdebrief

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[pilot-debrief]

Chuck probably never regretted his decision, but the sniper he took out certainly regretted Chuck was at work that day! This is not your typical pilot debrief talking about an aviation mishap. I felt it was time to share a story about a pilot that broke all the rules and actually saved lives and I hope you enjoy the video! If you'd like to see more aviation stories where a pilot saves lives, let me know!

[murraystewartj]

Great problem solving! This determined Marine did everything in the correct order: aviate, navigate, apologize for stealing the aircraft.

[Melanie-Shea]

“Leave my boy alone!” Was absolutely the best and funniest part of the whole thing. 😂

[spykewyn]

I think it's safe to say Chuck was a certified badass.

[razorfett]

The amazing part is that even IF the court martial had gone forward, Chuck wouldve gladly accepted his punishment without an ounce of regret. The guy was just built different

[FaithInHisBloodOrg]

I was an infantry combat soldier in the mountain jungles of the the A-Shau Valley in Vietnam. I have many stories of Army Vietnam helicopter pilots. Here, I will simply say, their bravery and flying skills still amaze me to this very day. I am very grateful to them for what they did for the common soldier and for the countless lives they saved.

[bingbruce]

I was actually a kid living there in New Orleans when this happened. I remember watching it on TV. Great story and Chuck is a real hero. He was willing to sacrifice his life and future to save people from harm. I also understand the military's position. There was a incredible liability on them for chucks actions, but I am glad it ended the way it did.

[FatRescueSwimmer]

I got to meet Chuck a few years back at GE's Veterans Events (we had Heroes like Chuck come and speak every year) and man what a guy!!!

[markwood]

“Sometimes it’s more effective to ask for forgiveness, than to ask for permission” This was certainly one of those occasions.

[Mcgregor]

Nicely done, instead of you telling the story, you let the story come to life on it's own. Great channel!

[suecobandito]

Then Col. Pittman was CO of the Marines at Pensacola when I arrived for flight training. I have his signature on a set of orders. So during Primary flying T-28B's at Whiting, we'd all blow off steam, Fridays, at McGuires Pub. The Col. was usually there. Anyway we became chums. One day in Advanced training later in TX, a knock on my BOQ door and there was now Brig. Gen. Chuck Pittman. I said congratulations, Sir. He said let's hit the O'Club for a drink. We caught up on things. He went to 4th MAW as CO, I believe. Great guy. Of course he was a legend and an iconoclast. Good video.

[Hliosphan]

Amazing story, I've never heard it before, Chuck was a one of a kind hero, all due respect. Unfortunately he died in 2020. I was still young when this happened. Any more stories like this would be great!

[tacubs]

Listening to Charles tell his story brought tears to my eyes. A very humble, brave human being. Thank you Hoover for sharing this story.

[RNP]

Love the story of Chuck Seems like a GREAT guy

[cmdrriotz]

Brings home the saying, “Improvise, adapt, overcome." I'd say he did so very well.

[jupite]

As an Australian who has been in the Military it would have been such a honour to Salute him, That is a Hero

[williammrdeza]

Great account, Hoover! I think Lt. Colonel Pitman made the right call, at tremendous personal risk. I am so glad reason prevailed over regulations and he was recognized for his selfless act of bravery and community service.

[mikefougere]

"Leave my boy alone" . When common cense overrules office heroes.

[kevinthegerbil]

A Hero indeed, I salute that man. I was told that if you are foolish enough to upset a marine then he WILL find you at ANY cost, never give up, and then proceed to spoil your day. Absolute respect. Kevin UK.

[lawrencequave]

"Chuck" Pitman was not a General at the time. He was a LtCol and the commanding officer of the Marine Air Reserve Training Detachment based at NAS Belle Chase Field. Two Marine Reserve helicopter squadrons (HMM-767 and HMM-768) were assigned to the MARTD so this made Pitman the 'top dog' over all of this. The squadrons (Reserve pilots and enlisted) only drilled on weekends, leaving the active duty Marines assigned to the MARTD to take care of things (helo maintenance, etc) during the week. I know all this because I was the Reserve Admin. Officer for HMM-767, but was at my home in Pensacola at the time, watching all this take place on TV. I'm sure all my Reservist buddies were watching this on TV too, with ALL of us rooting, "Get 'em colonel! Take him out." We all would have GLADLY returned to duty to help if that would have been possible--which it wasn't. I read all the written reports that came out after that, and I can say for a fact that YOUR story here is 100% correct. You didn't misstate a thing. And, yes, F. Edward Hebert (pronounced 'a-bear'), Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, did tell the Marines to "back off" after Pitman had saved his city when all other aviation resources had gone home. Pitman stayed on active duty for several more years after that, eventually earning the rank of Lieutenant General. After retiring to Pensacola, the General passed away on February 13, 2000, at the age of 84. Semper Fi, general. Thanks for your outstanding service. (As an aside, Pitman led Operatioon Eagle Claw--a mission that attempted to free 52 American hostages being held captive in Tehran during the final year of Carter's Presidency. Complications from a sand storm led to the mission's failure.)