Artwork by Rouch

04/06/2026

Sketch of Blue Ghost 39.

We heard the words ‘Jolly Green’ in the news today.
Reflecting back on the Vietnam War. On this day, 54 years ago on April 6, 1972 Jolly Green 67 made an attempt to rescue Colonel Hambleton, Bat 21 Bravo.

When I met “PJ”, David Young last Sunday at the Pima Air & Space Museum, he told me a minute by minute account what was happening that day. Tears stream down his face. I was still with my eyes wide open trying to memorize his words to capture visuals. I will be creating a beautiful oil painting of the HH-53C Jolly Green 67, during its glory days, shortly.

Below is my initial sketch of the logo of Blue Ghost 39 on a UH-1H. If you are familiar with Blue Ghost 39, please provide a comment of your memories.

Blue Ghost 39 was shot down on April 2, 1972. These were the first responders in answering FAC Jankowski, attempting to rescue Bat 21 Bravo.

Glad that there was one survivor, SP5 Jose Astorga, the gunner and was thrown from the helicopter during the crash. He was captured, and released the following year. I’m hoping to reach him one day and to hear his stories in-person.

Rest-in-Peace
First Lieutenant Byron Kulland (Pilot)
WO John Frink (Co-Pilot)
SP5 Ronald Paschall war

04/05/2026

Serendipity
Bat 21 - Public Outreach at Pima Air & Space Museum.
As I was packing up, I heard a voice say, ‘That’s my book!’ The museum received today 1100 visitors. Who would’ve thought “PJ” David Young would pass by my booth!!! Thank you for sharing your stories and your account of what happened on April 3 -6, 1972.

04/03/2026

Honoring the soldiers during the BAT 21 Bravo Rescue: April 2 – 13, 1972

I am in the beginning stages of creating a series of illustrations of the Vietnam War, April 2 – 13, 1972.

If you live near Tucson, AZ, and have time this Saturday, April 4, please stop by the Pima Air & Space Museum in the main hanger. I will have a booth, interfacing with the public, and capturing the details of the UH-1H for my artwork in honoring Blue Ghost 39. May the first responders, attempting to rescue BAT 21 Bravo Rest in Peace. They died today, April 2, 1972 around 5:30PM during the Vietnam War.






VietnamVeterans
NeverForget
History
WarHistory
Memorial
WarHeroes
VietnamWarStories
USArmy
MarineCorps
USMC
MilitaryHistory
USNavy
USAF
BAT21
BlueGhosts
JollyGreen
FTroop8thCav
GhostsOfTheBattlefield
Bat21Bravo
GeneHambleton
VietnamWarVet

01/26/2026

Cameras flashed on aerospace art as ASAA artists Mimi Stuart and Michelle Rouch presented their paintings on the red carpet at the Beverly Hilton for the 23rd annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards.

An evening mixed with musicians, aerospace entrepreneurs, astronauts and aviation industries, including Morgan Freeman, John Travolta, Kenny G, NBC's Tom Costello, Sean D Tucker, and more to welcome the newly inductee Eileen Collins. Big Congrats Eileen Collins!

Michelle Rouch's oil painting honored the iconic aviator legend, Clay Lacy, titled, "Lucky Me."

01/19/2026

Press Release

01/19/2026

Just complete an oil painting of a DC-3 and getting excited about next week's 23rd Living Legends of Aviation. Images will be posted after the artwork is unveiled and strode the red carpet at the Beverly Hilton. Here is last year's clip from a reporter, George Satsidis. I had a chance to practice my Greek with him, but thank goodness the clip does not have me speaking Greek. Whew!

youtube.com/watch?v=RybCWbgwGgI&fbclid=IwY2xjawPbU09leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEebmo1ak3E22OPfQXkA8EQc06AhHDWS55beh333JLaLVLLCV18Q420GAae4H0_aem_HCSpk490U7Cr_YinjnSKsQ

A spectacular gala at John Travolta’s Living Legends of Aviation Awards, highlighted by the presence of Prince Harry and Morgan Freeman. I was honored to cov...

10/14/2025

Working on a new cover page and studying the weary eyes of Lieutenant Colonel Iceal Gene Hambleton.
Tell me if you had served in the Vietnam War, and where were you on April 2, 1972.
A dear friend of mine was in the B-25 during the Easter Offensive.
Illustrations will be certainly emotional, but well worth every teardrop.

06/19/2025

Grand opening of the ASAA International Aerospace Art Exhibition at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Admiring my “Freedom to Fly.”

06/17/2025

Here are some close-ups of the artwork, in progress back in December 2024.

06/17/2025

Need to accelerate in posting images of the progress of the painting,”Freedom to Fly.” The grand opening is tonight and will post images later.

06/08/2025

Love how this came about. Wanted to share a video of the progress of my spartan 7W Executive