European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 5, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tuesday March 5, 1991 the stars and stripes Page 5in the Gulf Gulf copter crash a Fly _ kills featured on to peering through damages Mohammed Saleem of Kuwait City Peers through the broken out window of a scorched door in his neighbors House. The residence was one of thousands of Homes wrecked and burned by iraqi troops during the occupation of Kuwait. By Robert i. Mcfadden . Times news service. Helicopter Pilot maj. Marie t. Rossi who was featured in National news reports last week As she ferried cargo into Battle against Iraq was killed in a noncombat helicopter crash on Friday the Day after the cease fire military officials said sunday. Rossi of Oradell n.j., died when her ch-47 Chinook helicopter went Down a somewhere in the desert storm theater a said capt. Barbara Goodno an army spokeswoman. Rossi was one of the first american officers to Cross into enemy territory when the ground assault began feb. 24. A. Military spokesman in Dhahran saudi Arabia said Rossi crashed near the base Camp of the 18th aviation brigade in Northern saudi Arabia. Two other soldiers including army chief warrant officer Robert Hughes of Vernon conn., also were killed in the crash. The third victim has not been identified. The cause of the crash was not disclosed. Rossi 32, was believed to be the fourth woman in the army to die in the persian Gulf War. The three others were among 28 troops killed when an iraqi scud missile hit a Barracks Miles behind the front in saudi Arabia a week ago. Rossi who had been stationed at fort Stewart ga., before going to the Gulf last fall saw combat with the 159th aviation in of the 24th inf div she said in an interview with Cable compared to Vietnam desert storm almost a vacation for . Troops news network the Day before the ground assault that she was proud to be one of the women going into the Battle zone. A we thought it was pretty neat that three women were going to be across the Border before the rest of the battalion,7 she said. A in talking with them this morning there a nervous feelings about going across but mostly it s just readiness to go   v. A  a she spoke too of her thoughts about dying in combat. A sometimes you have to disassociate How you feel personally about the Prospect of going into War and you know possibly see the death that a going to be out there. But personally As an aviator and a Soldier this is the moment that everybody trains for a that in be trained for so 1 feel ready to meet a  throughout the l 0-hour ground War she led chinooks into the iraqi desert on dozens of missions carrying ammunition in the cargo holds and up to 2,500 Gallons of Jet fuel in five huge tanks Slung under the helicopter s belly where a single Bullet could have exploded the aircraft. American women soldiers Are banned from fighting in the front lines but throughout the ground War Many women served at advanced Supply bases so close to the front As to make Little difference. But in the interview with can she downplayed the danger. A what i am doing is no greater or less than the Man who is flying next to me a she said a i think if you talk to the women who Are professionals in the military we see ourselves As  in the stars and stripes Dhahran saudi Arabia apr the soldiers hoping to head Home soon from operation desert storm say president Bush kept his Promise. It Wasny to another Vietnam. A this has been a treat a its been almost a vacation compared to Vietnam a said sgt. Richard Macina a reservist from Dayton Ohio who last was on Active duty in Vietnam. A after Vietnam you were spit on. This time we feel like we be got support from the people Back  Macina spoke at an air base hangar crowded with soldiers who had just heard news of sundays successful cease fire talks Between Allied and iraqi commanders. 7 a a 7. A a .�?~7 7�?T 7 7. To Many it was tangible evidence that the War really was Over a go ahead to Start anticipating the trip Back Home. First time soldiers As Well As Vietnam vets shared a sense that this War was different not just in duration and outcome but in myriad other ways a better management higher morale far less alcohol and drugs. A we did so Well without booze they say we re going to have dry wars from now on a said sgt. Larry Gratteri of Beaver Falls pa., referring to the no liquor policy adopted in conformance with did so Well without booze they say we re going to have dry wars from now , Larry Gratteri saudi Law. Macina said the enforced abstinence made for a More confident More effective fighting Force a in Vietnam you always had the sixth sense that you had a buddy stoned or doped up a he said. A a in a rather go to War with a straight head than a crooked  another Vietnam vet activated from the reserves Navy cmdr. Greg slavonic of Oklahoma City said he perceived major changes in the Young soldiers of today Sall Volunteer military. A the Young people today Are a lot different a slavonic said. A better educated in better shape More astute More Well rounded a another Factor he said was that All the top commanders of desert storm served in Vietnam. A they knew what needed to be done differently this time a he said7 Macina said the commanders seemed to have made on an impression with the politicians. _ a in Vietnam the War was fought from Washington a he  time they the government listened to the generals Over  maj. Gen. . Binford Peay commander of the 101st airborne div said the military has rebuilt itself since Vietnam instituting new training techniques to forge a professional fighting Force. A i will never forget the treatment i suffered at the hands of the Media and then d the Public during Vietnam a said Peay an infantry commander there. A the heroes of the army were those officers and cos that stood by this thing. At times when we were not in favor at times when we were looked Down upon these people who stuck by the army and helped build it Back up a Peay said.10 years ago March 5,1981 a two years after Usa eur declared a War on drugs in Europe officials say the army is winning its fight. Gen. Frederick j. Kroesen Usa eur commander was told that fewer soldiers Are using narcotics fewer soldiers Are being referred for rehabilitation and urinalysis tests show fewer soldiers Are using drugs. .20 years ago March 5,1971 a an extremist group calling itself the turkish people liberation front kidnapped four american airmen and threatened to shoot them if $400,000 Ransom is not paid. A. A 7 30years ago March 5,1961 a the value of the German Mark was increased by 5 percent making the parity 4 Marks to the Dollar instead of 4.2. A 40 years ago March 5, 1951 a the battleship Wisconsin was recommissioned and ordered to Active duty joining the Missouri and new Jersey As the nation s Only Active battleships