AW1 Robert W. Hart
HS-4  SH-3H
BUNO: 148044
12/8/45-03/22/78
Fort Wayne, IN
The HS-4 memorial is located of Highway 50 just west of Sand Mountain. The access road is on the north side of the highway. A 4-wheel drive vehicle is recommended to reach it. The coordinates are roughly N391823 W1182723.
Shipmates Comments:
CWO4 (Ret.) Jim "Guns" Amerine:
AW2 Robert Hart was my roommate at the time of his accident, as well as being my best friend. There are many things I could relate concerning our time together, but most bring some bit of pain with them, as we were involved with our church in many different things. I'm sure you understand. I miss his friendship!
AWCM "J.D." Dungan:
I knew Bob Hart pretty well! He was a former Air Force member and had just picked up First Class and had gotten himself on the "born again" path. Not that it is ever good to die at any age in an aircraft mishap, but he was the best prepared to meet his maker.

AW2 Jeff Manthos:
I knew Bob Hart quite well! I trained him as he flew as my 2nd crewman during the '76 Ranger westpac. Bob Hart was a dedicated AW in every sense of the word. It was my pleasure flying with him on the many night flights we made together from the deck of the USS Ranger in 1976. I was deeply saddened to hear of his loss in the line of duty, he died doing what he loved most! I didn't know who else was lost in that crash until I saw the article you posted, thanks, now I can put some names to the victims.

Media Articles:
Antisubmarine Helicopter Crashes in Desert, 5 Navy Men Are Killed
N.Y. Times, March 24, 1978
FALLON, Nev., March 23 (AP)--An antisubmarine helicopter crashed and burned in the Nevada desert yesterday, and five Navy men were killed, a Navy spokesman said today.
The helicopter was on routine maneuvers out of Fallon Naval Air Station at the time of the crash, the spokesman said. The craft was temporarily assigned to Fallon from the North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego, Calif. The crash occurred in the remote area near Sand Mountain used for war games. An investigation is under way.
The Navy identified the victims as Lieut. Craig Roberts, 26 years old, of Purcell, Okla.; Lieut. Stephen G. Labarre, 25, of Pen Argyl, Pa.; Airman Apprentice Steve A. Staggers, 22, of Buelton, Calif.; Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Airman John C. Jacobs, 21, of San Clemente, Calif., and Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Operator 2nd Class Robert W. Hart, 32, of Fort Wayne, Ind.