Good Condition. Missing the screw pull down knob from the flight helmet visor. Heavy ongoing deterioration to the black rubber covering and foam interior padding of the ear cups. Moderate fraying to the wiring just before the end plug. Two sizable tears to and missing chunks from the front chicken plate. This is one of the best Vietnam helicopter crewman's flight groupings we've ever seen, named and identified to George Bassett and Mike Burke of the 170th Assault Helicopter Company. The helmet is a Size Medium APH-5 by Sierra Engineering Company dated 1966 (DSA 100) on the original nomenclature tag inside. It was period painted jet black around the exterior, and then beautifully painted with the classic "dragon" nose art insignia of the 170th Assault Helicopter Company at back. It features a clear visor, boom mic, retractable ear cups, ear phones, and wiring with end plug, and is hand named to "GEORGE BASSETT" on the interior crown padding. The chicken plate features dozens of signatures at front, including "GEORGE BASSETT", carries the original "AEROJET GENERAL / GENERAL TIRE / VON KARMAN CENTER" maker's tag at the upper reverse, and is dated "11-66" (November 1966) in the stenciled nomenclature marking at the lower back. The helmet was worn by George Bassett, and the chicken plate was worn by his crew chief Mike Burke, when the two were flying on a rescue mission in November 1967 to support a LRRP team in Laos. Their Huey had to drop down low through the jungle canopy to try and locate the team, when the chopper and most of its crew, including Mike Burke, were hit by NVA small arms fire. Mike was hit twice in the chest and twice in the leg. George cut off the communications cord from Mike's flight helmet and tied off Mike's leg, thus saving his life. Mike kept the chest plate and had it signed by his comrades of the 170th AHC "Bikinis", members of the 71st Evacuation Hospital at Pleiku, including doctors and nurses, and infantrymen. George received the chest plate from Mike in approximately the year 2000 when they reunited. The helmet and chest plate were then purchased directly from George. The grouping includes a large dossier of paperwork, including George's letters from Vietnam and recent email correspondence with George, illuminating a great deal about his service in the 'Nam.