Barry Solomon RON COCKERILLE/STAFF

The Aiken resident flew as a door gunner in an elite Navy helicopter unit called the Seawolves during his tour in Vietnam from September 1970 to September 1971.

For his service in the war, Mr. Solomon was honored in Charleston on Friday as part of a Veterans Day celebration. He was listed on the Navy's Enlisted Combat Aircrew Roll of Honor.

The Seawolves unit, comprising about 18 helicopters, roamed the treetops in Vietnam. They put ground forces in place and lifted them away from enemy fire when things heated up.

During his last scheduled flight one week before heading home, Mr. Solomon's unit came under heavy fire after landing near the Mekong River. One helicopter couldn't take off. Mr. Solomon's helicopter did and started to fire on the enemy from the air. But it was hit and crashed into the water.

Mr. Solomon, who suffered a leg wound, said he thought of what his parents might say when he was reported dead.

Berry Solomon, at the door of his helicopter during the Vietnam war. SPECIAL

"Thankfully they never had to face that situation because the (Viet Cong) were lousy shots," he said.

Mr. Solomon's unit was not fully recognized until 1997, when the Navy authorized the awarding of the Combat Aircrew Insignia to Vietnam door gunners.

"They basically didn't know the Navy had gunners in Vietnam," Mr. Solomon said. "It took them only 30 years to do it."

The recognition process has been slow with most of the activities of the unit still classified because it flew covert operations, he said.

The Seawolves still reunite every few years.

"Even after 30 years, it is still a very tight-knit group," Mr. Solomon said.

Reach Matthew Boedy at (803) 648-1395 or matthew.boedy@augustachronicle.com.