Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Cover, Helmet |
Catalog Number |
1992.05.06 |
Date |
1990-1991 |
Material(s) |
Cotton |
Dimensions |
Dia-13 inches |
Description |
This is a helmet cover. It is dessert campflage with shades of brown or tan and black in a mottled pattern. There is nylon webbing with velcro straps to secure it to the helmet. |
Notes |
This helmet cover belonged to E-4 Kelly Withers, who was born and reared in Frankfort, Kentucky. Items in this collection were either used or given to him while serving in the United States Army during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Withers served on search and rescue missions for downed Allied pilots during his service and in the War. On February 24, 1991, during a search and rescue mission for a downed United States F-16 pilot, the Blackhawk in which Withers and his crew were flying in was inside enemy territory. The Blackhawk was hit with small arms fire in the engine, and the Blackhawk helicopter crashed landed. The accompanying Apache helicopters did not leave them but defended them until a medivac helicopter came to rescue them an hour and a half later. It took them another hour and a half to get them all out of the wreckage. The F-16 pilot died as did three members of the crew of seven in Withers' helicopter. With two crushed vertebrae, Withers spent the next three weeks in the hospital in Bahrain and the U.S.S. Comfort. |
Collection |
Kelly Withers Collection |
People |
Withers, Kelly |
Subjects |
Helmets Uniforms Military uniforms |
Search Terms |
Operation Desert Shield Operation Desert Storm Desert Shield Desert Storm Gulf War Persian Gulf War, 1991 101st Airborne |
Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |