The FAAA received advice from Jeff’s Brother Phil that the “little fella “ passed away on Friday 22 June 2018.
His funeral was at Harrisons Funerals Ridgehaven, 63 Gold Grove Rd, Ridgehaven, SA 5097 on Thursday 5 July at 10:30 am. It included a Navy bugler, to recognise his service.
Jeff was Mentioned in Dispatches, announced in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 September 1968 and the London Gazette in December of that year. The citation read:
“Leading Airman Aircrewman Jeffrey McIntyre of the Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Flight Vietnam has distinguished himself by outstanding meritorious service and courageous actions as a gunner in UH-1 assault helicopters of the 135th Assault Helicopter Company, engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the Republic of Vietnam.
Leading Airman Aircrewman McIntyre has flown over fourteen hundred hours in combat operations and has on numerous occasions been subject to enemy fire in landing zones. On each occasion he has reacted courageously and used his machine gun fully and effectively to neutralise hostile enemy, assisting in extensive damage to aircraft and loss of life being avoided.
Leading Airman Aircrewman McIntyre has caused great credit to be brought upon himself, his unit and the Royal Australian Navy.”
He was presented with his RANHFV Unit Citation for Gallantry just four days before his death and was reported as overjoyed to have received that recognition. Nobody deserved it more.
Safe journey and fair winds across the bar Jeff. Vale a true Matelot and brave Vietnam Vet.
Caption: Two crew members of the RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam (RANHFV) had a lucky escape when their helicopters were hit by groundfire in a troop landing zone on 18 April 1968. The two crewmen R93385 Leading Airman (LACM) Jeffrey McINtyre, of Evandale, SA, and R93754 Leading Airman Weapons (LAMW) Barry Arthur Todd, of Bassendean, WA, were gunners on their aircraft during a combat assault into a enemy held position in the Delta area of Vietnam. The troops of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) who were landed into the area made heavy contact with a sizeable Viet Cong (VC) force. Re-inforcements were later landed in an adjacent area with the heliopters taking more groundfire. In the action, LACM McIntyre’s aircraft was shot down, and one other pilot and two crewmen, all from the US, were wounded. Back at Fire Support Base Black Horse, South Vietnam, LACM McIntyre (left), wearing his flak jacket, points out damage to a helmet. (AWM image)