names of pilots shot down in vietnam

The process of lifting the American air pirate and dropping him (me) face first onto the floor went on for over an hour. I saw an F-4 fly low into Firebase Bastogne in January 1969 and pickle a few rounds on the guys that were over-running our base. The leaders claim was that we could easily have bingod into the RTAF base on the Thai border, so I should not have abandoned my flight leader. I remember their faces were not contorted with anger or hatred but rather with kind expressions of understanding almost bordering on a smile. First loss: Canberra A84-231 disappeared on 3 November 1970 on a night bombing mission in the northern 1st Corps Tactical Zone region of. I dont know if they ever found the horse. If you do that, itll be your first time in harms way. It suddenly dawned on me that he would not surrender his place on the controllers list and lose the chance for his Silver Star! Only loss: 51-15565 (432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing) which crashed in Thailand 28 December 1966, both crewmen survived, Only loss: 63-13102 (5th SOS, 14th SOW) shot down 14 August 1969 near Bien Hoa, killing 1/Lt Roger Brown, Final loss: 600282 (38th ARRS) crashed Cam Ranh Bay 7 August 1969, crew rescued, Last losses: four CH-53s (68-10925, 10926, 10927, 701627, all from, C-1A 146016 (Composite Squadron Five VC-5), operational loss (non-combat) 8 August 1967, 3 passengers and 2 crew rescued, Final loss: C-1A 146054 (Carrier Air Wing 11, USS. First loss: EC-121R 67-24193 (554th Reconnaissance Squadron, 553d RW) crashed 25 April 1969 on take-off in a thunderstorm from. I was falling towards the Earth and still attached to my Martin-Baker (made in England) ejection seat below a four-foot drogue chute to stabilize my rapid descent. Scotty took one look at the patch which I admit looked a bit Sam Schwartz to me and replied, If we have to break for a SAM, well bring it back without the wingtip.. He is presently a retired airline pilot who originally flew for The Flying Tiger Line in DC-8s and 747s and then MD-11s for FedEx. Not that northern Laos is a very hospitable place to be, but it would give you a better chance for a rescue by an Air Force chopper. But then, the blood began to run down from the breaks in the skin on my head and into my eyes. Sadly the other pilot and crew chief and door gunner did not make it. I could see small hooches (straw huts) on the ground. 17 apr 1966: arab 511, an a-1h (buno 135398), lt (jg) william l. tromp, va-115, went down following a night attack on coastal targets, near approximately 1818'n, 10610'e. arab 506, his wingman,. When the Vietnam War ended in 1973, Mohawk losses were: one shot down by a MiG, one destroyed by mortar fire, 27 lost to ground fire and 36 destroyed in operational accidents. Im sorry that you had to suffer so much but you had no business what so for ever being there. Model names were normalized in 1962 to UH-1s. So what was The D.O.s name? During this relatively minor ordeal, I asked permission of my guard, using sign language, for permission to relieve my bladder. Joe could have saved lives and saved 6 years of his own if had just stayed home. It was you who were suffering in the oppressive heat & humidity. Just a wild guess but you just enjoy your freedoms while you let others do the fighting and take the risks. As lieutenants in our respective services, we knew only that something was wrong. But, I knew the SA-2 was a powerful weapon; 400 lbs. Lockhart is still alive, although. All told, the U.S. Air Force flew 5.25 million sorties over South Vietnam, North Vietnam, northern and southern Laos, and Cambodia, losing 2,251 aircraft: 1,737 to hostile action, and 514 in accidents. Hopefully you have not seen this magnificent video I recently came across, and for a man in love with flight like you proved, I hope it will bring back nothing but happy memories https://vimeo.com/199142621 . As for Mr. Fearn, Politics aside, we probably did back the wrong side. . Tried to cross-service in 64 or 65 to Army for WO pilot program, but because I was already in the military (being in a critical COMSEC AFSC probably didnt help), I was offered no guarantee of flight training, so I withdrew the request otherwise, I may have been one of your grateful students, or still buried in some shallow grave. Thank you for sharing. Jim witnessed the other pilot CW2 Richard Bauman and crew chief Craig Dix being captured. Although thank you is not enough, I do thank you for your service. The baro switch was supposed to open my chute at 10,000 ft. Charge of the Light Brigade. I always enjoyed flying with you and sharing a beverage. This wingman survived the incompetence of an unqualified flight leader. Misty FACs operated from 15 June 1967 to 19 May 1970. VS-41 at NAS North Island retained four of the borrowed Broncos to be used for training replacement pilots and maintenance personnel. . Thanks for telling our story Joe. As a former volunteer at the NMUSAF and the son of a now deceased USAAF WWII combat vet, I have always known that our country and our armed forces have been blessed with seemingly ordinary, matter-of-fact guys who do extraordinary things. Every year on the 18th of December I start an eleven day ritual of emails to the Vietnam air warriors on the anniversary of the first night of Operation Linebacker II lest we forget the courage and sacrifices of all those who risked all from that first night until the 29th both tactical air and especially the B-52 crews. Gary, this was like Vietnam all over again!. The man who had less than an hour ago cautioned me against premature ejection had ejected. Spent the day with Tom and Scottys brother Mark. Only those who were there truly know! I am proud of you Joe and Scotty for your service and to be part of a community which recognises and should be proud of your example. Two were pilots, two Air Force weapon systems officers, and two Navy radar intercept officer; both awarded an aerial-kill claim for each enemy aircraft shot-down. How far did he go on in the Air Force? Thank you for your service! I taught eight pilots who had only two-year degrees differential calculus. Despite the excellent sound-sealing qualities of my helmet, their jabbering was extremely loud and intense. Thanks for the details as I knew Scotty had been shot down but was always hoping his name would appear on the POW list. There, I waited for about five hours, during which time it seemed that everyone in the village, save the oldest and youngest, came to visit the new arrival. Dickens rescued) Final loss: 70-0945 (354th TFW) shot down in Cambodia on 25 May 1973 (Capt Jeremiah Costello KIA) First loss: B-26B 44-35530 (Detachment 2A, 1st ACG) shot down in IV CTZ on the night of 4-5 November 1962, killing the 3 crew Lt Cmdr Frederick P Crosby's plane crashed in a pond during the Vietnam War in 1965 (inset). He did what he had to do, did what he was asked to do by his country. I wondered what good it did to tell us there were guns, MiGs and SAMs everywhere. Final loss: C-130E 72-1297 (314th TAW) destroyed by rocket fire at Tan Son Nhut AB on 28 April 1975. 71-0316 (355th TFS) operational loss (non-combat) crash in Thailand on 11 January 1973 (pilot rescued) 70-0949 (354th TFW) shot down Laos on 17 February 1973 (Maj J.J. Gallagher rescued) 71-0305 (3rd TFS, 388th TFW) shot down in Cambodia on 4 May 1973 (1Lt T.L. Never flew with a pilot in the USAF that was not a top notch professional. We accomplished the weapons checklist just as we entered enemy territory: Centerline station, Bombs ripple, Intervalometer set, Master Arm. How about that for a cool presence of mind? I was a young 23 year old J-79 Engine Mechanic at Homestead AFB in 1972,sent toThailand in late Summer of that year to participate in LinebackerII Our F-4s along with McDills flew Mig CAP for the B-52s of which several were lost.Homestead lost one Phantom,I believe McDill lost one. 28 NOV 67. Having been a teenager in Vietnam years, I had a Vietnam map on my bedroom wall and marked bombing missions that Cronkite would report that night. I had never before heard the details of his loss. Of those servicepeople, 2,382 were killed while serving aboard UH-1 Iroquois, better known as the ubiquitous "Huey." Contents [ hide] I met and liked John Dremesi whose experience was the same as yours. Two years ago I walked through the front door of Hoa Lo. Outwardly grateful to Jesus Christ above all and to our United States military service members is the way of life I choose to live and pass on to my children. A total of 17 four-ship flights were to hit a vast complex of oil and munitions storage and NVN troops. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling that thinks nothing is worth war is much worse. I was in the tower in Saigon and F-4s would come pouring in. After all that I suffered dont you dare tell me I had no business being there! Thank you for your email. Lost contact with you shortly after you were so kind to make comments at my FedEx retirement party. On July 24, 1965, an SA-2 shot down an Air Force F-4C, the first of 110 USAF aircraft lost to SAMs in Southeast Asia. I still know where the CB is. I was the mouse. Theyd blow up in midair, before they ever got to the runway. Summer-67- Lost an engine to one but miraculously survived blast suffocation and stupidly re-started the J-79 after safely- feet wet. [4] 877 Republic of Vietnam aircraft were captured at war's end (1975)[5] Of the 2750[6] aircraft and helicopters received by South Vietnam, only about 308 survived (240 flew to Thailand or US warships[7] and 68 returned to the United States[8]). Thank you for your expressions of gratitude, sir. I knew none of this before he died. With the helmet strap no longer in existence, my helmet flew off like a slingshot. Any man can do no more for his country than agree to place himself in harms way. How many F 105s shot down in Vietnam? During the tour at NKP Thailand, I had opportunity to go TDY to Ubon Air base. b fearnits people like you ( and others who fled to Canada) who make those of us who answered the call sick to our stomachs! You who kept the supplies coming to us were a vital part of the war effort. I enjoyed your write up though I could see you squirming in your seat as it was unfolding. The spot where I landed was probably a potato patch. And all of us should remember them every day because we are we enjoy the freedoms their sacrifice every, single day. May God continue to bless you. I never came face-to-face with either asshole but I emailed the flight lead recently and told him off that he was incompetent, got Scotty Wilson killed, cost the USAF an F-4, caused my Fathers premature death and was responsible for unimaginable hardships for Scottys widow and daughter not to mention my 6+ years in prison. Number two is getting the shit shot out of him screaming on 272.7 and too late lead lights ABs as #2 blows up. I wish I could have expressed my thanks to your Elder Eagle for successfully completing his mission to spring me out of jail. While I never got above the Cessna 180 stage of flying, I hold you and your fellow pilots in the highest esteem. P.463, Migs over North Vietnam: The Vietnam People's Air Force in Combat, 196575, Stackpole Military History, Crashed while attempting emergency landing, Phantom with U.S. Marine Corps (Joe Baugher), List of United States aerial victories of the Vietnam War, South Viet Nam Airforce VNAF Equipment. I found out what its like to be a zoo animal except nobody threw me any peanuts. Even Yale plans to re-name from a Slavery advocate. John McCain JohnMcCain Share this article Everybody has heard by now that John McCain was shot down over North Vietnam, captured, and held as a Prisoner of War; it apparently, to some, is his. At this point, because of the unexpected turn, our formation was too bunched up; we were too close to each other to be able to provide mutual look-out support. Scotty gave me the airplane and I climbed out at 350 knots until it came time to find the tanker on the radar. Then came the shock. [1], There were about 11,846 U.S helicopters that served in the Vietnam War. Scotty gave the Phantom back to me and then it was my turn. His unit was flying in support of South Vietnamese troops fighting in Laos. Its entirely, entirely because of you guys. I was sad to read about poor decisions based on ego costing lives, I know how true that is. After liftoff, caution must be exercised to avoid over-rotation. But there was no SAM. By the time of the American involvement in Southeast Asia communism, by moderate estimates, around the globe had murdered 110 million people! Fritz was Nape. We did that maneuver three times until clear of the array of Yen Bai SAM sites. The concept that Vietnamese people who had conquered most of SE Asia and fought off numerous invasions by Chinese dynasties for centuries would be cowed and exhausted by the haphazard application of US air power was the result of historical ignorance and superpower arrogance. Even at max takeoff weight, Scotty had to be careful not to exceed the landing gear limit airspeed of 250 knots with both afterburners cooking. In total, the United States military lost in Vietnam almost 10,000 aircraft, helicopters and UAVs (3,744 planes,[3] 5,607 helicopters[2] and 578 UAVs[1] ). Glad you made it home safe after 6 years in the north. I taught math, physics, automotive theory and practice, and classical music in the Hanoi Hilton. Global Security, "A War too Long: The USAF in Southeast Asia 19611975", http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/virtual_disk_library/index.cgi/1025775/FID1977/NAVY/Chap_3.pdf, USMC HELO LOSSES(19621973) by aircraft type, "The OV-1 Mohawk Remembered Firsthand: Piloting the Mohawk in Vietnam", "SE Asia and Vietnam: Royal Australian Air Force", "Image Galleries 2009 - Department of Defence", " - - www.skywar.ru", U.S. Air-to-Air Victories during the Cold War, Wars in Yugoslavia, and Anti-Terror War, Widow travels to Vietnam after 40 years and finds her MIA husband's Marine Corps F-4 jet crash site in Que Son Mtns, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_aircraft_losses_of_the_Vietnam_War&oldid=1133364112, First loss: A-1E 52-132465 (1st Air Commando Squadron [ACS], 34th Tactical Group [TG]) shot down during night training mission on 29 August 1964 near, Final loss: A-1H 52-139738 (1st Special Operations Squadron, 56th Special Operations Wing) which was shot down 28 September 1972 (pilot was rescued by an, First loss: 710310 (355th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 354th TFW) on 2 December 1972 shot down on a, Final loss: 700945 (354th TFW) shot down in Cambodia on 25 May 1973 (Capt Jeremiah Costello KIA), First loss: B-26B 44-35530 (Detachment 2A, 1st ACG) shot down in IV CTZ on the night of 45 November 1962, killing the 3 crew, Final loss: A-26A 64-17646 (609th SOS, 56th SOW) lost over Laos on the night of 78 July 1969, killing both crewmen, First loss: AC-119G 52-5907 (Det.1, 17th SOS, 14th SOW) which crashed on take-off from, Final loss: AC-119K 53-7826 (18th SOS, 56th SOW out of, First losses were operational (non-combat) mid-air collision 2 B-52F 57-0047 and 57-0179 (441st Bomb Squadron, 320th Bomb Wing), 18 June 1965, South China Sea during air refueling orbit, 8 of 12 crewmen killed, Final loss: B-52D 55-0056 (307th Bomb Wing Provisional) to SAM 4 January 1973, crew rescued from Gulf of Tonkin. [23] 2 Mi-4, 5 An-2, 5 Il-14, 1 MiG-15UTI, 1 Il-28, 1 L-29, 1 Lisunov Li-2 lost through all causes[24] Total: 159 aircraft and 2 helicopter lost. My father was lost in 64-0771 out of Cam Rahn 9/3/66. I was too busy inside the cockpit to see it happen but the other two Phantoms banked away sharply to assume the proper lateral spacing. [9][10]:268. Just as the original lead aircraft rolled back to a wings-level position a mile to our left and reacquired us visually, the SAM struck our F-4 too late to shout a warning. A well? Well b fearn, you have a right to make your comment and your opinion, but I do not believe this is the time or place. For those interested in learning more about the F4 Phantom air war , I Remember VietNam by William L Barker , Major USAFR (Ret) is a great book.This first person account is full of operational data and pilot insights.All aviation enthusiasts will appreciate its nuances. Just recently back from the Academy F-4 Phantom ceremony. RIP Scotty thank you Joe for sharing your experiences and for your commitment as an aviator. Thanks for the story, Joe. I cannot express my admiration for you and others who went thru what you did. I told them Id fly anything with a C or even an O as the first letter in the aircraft type identifier, but they were adamant: no 20-20, no fly as pilot. A lifelong non-smoker who was on a never-ending mission to convince people not to smoke, my father did eventually tell me of a scared Marine, who, early during the battle for Iwo Jima, asked my father to sit with him in a shallow bomb crater and smoke a cigarette. Had the great fortune of knowing 2 Navy POWs who were at the Hanoi Hilton one of which my wife served with in the Navy. Contact, followed by, Youre taking fuel, announced the boomer. Public Servants who screw -up Big, Big time do not deserve such glorified recognition. At 10,000 ft, the automatic man-seat separation features operated exactly as advertised. North Vietnam lost 150 170 aircraft and helicopters. Scotty then took control of the airplane as we proceeded to follow our leader along the preplanned route. I went down to about 125 in the winter of 1968. There were a total a 269 American and enemy aircraft shot down in air-to-air combat over Vietnam during the entire war201 in fights between the U.S. Air Force and North Vietnamese air force and just 68 in the U.S. Navy's air battles with the North Vietnamese. Our standard load was 12-500s or 7 Nape. I have four children- ages 34, 30, 11 and 8 and am Grandma to 3 ages 8, 8 & 5. They were taken to a hospital to be evaluated, but they lived. Then, I was pushed face down to the floor and blindfolded. Names. Presently it dishonors over 50,000 dead and how many maimed and wounded? It was late November, the temperature was 40F, and all I had on were my underwear. The result of the egotistical attitude by the DO and the lack of courage and sound judgement by our flight leader cost Scotty Wilson his life, put me in communist prisons for over six years, resulted in my fathers untimely death at the age of 58 and a host of other horrors back home while I was away. Like the Flat-Earthers who still dont believe we landed on the Moon. I grew up with Thomas Guenther from Mass who also piloted an F-4 in RVN and NVN. But, I stuck to my story answering the same question in the same way each time. And Mr. Crecca, again, I thank you. You also draw a conclusion that isnt at all clear-cut, which is why no one else has commented on it. Got this forwarded in late 2017. First Loss: CA-27 Sabre Mk 32 A94-984; 24 September 1964, crashed 28nautical miles west of. If the MiGs didnt come up, he couldnt have a chance to shoot one down. We were only two minutes from the target, descending through 14,000 ft. at a speed of 540 knots or about 650 miles per hour. And we were just below that weight when we left Danang AB, RVN from runway 17L on the 22ndof November 1966. Of all those shot-down pilots, the experience apparently only made one uniquely qualified to be President. Sayonara, engines! I know exactly how you feel about combat decisions driven by hubris. Everybody has heard by now that John McCain was shot down over North Vietnam, captured, and held as a Prisoner of War; it apparently, to some, is his main qualification to be President. Dickens rescued) Blows were raining all over my body including my head, thankfully still protected by my helmet. I was an F4 driver at Chu Lai trying to cut the supply traffic through Laos, mostly around Hwy 9, near Tchepone. Ha! At 9,000 ft., I began trying to maneuver my parachute towards the southern tip of the Tam Dao Mountain range better known as Thud Ridge by the F-105 Thunderchief drivers. After that, I was blindfolded and transported two miles by motorcycle sidecar to another village and locked in a small building made of large stones. You and Scotty are my heroes. Cmon man, show some class! Despite being a first lieutenant, Scotty Wilson was in my opinion, the best stick in the 480thTactical Fighter Squadron. God Bless you F-4 drivers! However, when your country calls, you have two choices, in 1965 you went, in 1969 you didnt. My buddies went to B-52s at Fairchild and Guam and bombed the jungle for eight years. Our airplane flew out of the fireball with orange flames and thick, black smoke trailing from the wings, fuselage and tail. Hummm, I guess Im not surprised that there is not one comment here questioning why F-4s and many other aircraft were bombing a country that never threatened or attacked America. Steve Snyder's masterful book, Shot Down, does justice to the adventures of his father, pilot Howard Snyder, and the crew of the B-17 plane Susan Ruth. The soil was mercifully soft, loose and moist. Thank you again Sir and God bless. Much aviation has occurred in the context of military service. The Republic of Vietnam lost 1,018 aircraft and helicopters from January 1964 to September 1973. God bless you and may you enjoy a much well deserved retirement. God bless. Your comments and wisdom are much appreciated. When my feet hit the floor with my elbows on my knees at bedside, a feeling of total despair came over me. Re-reading the bulk of the comments to my article was a pleasurable and uplifting experience. The 366th TFW Gunfighters consisted of three squadrons; 389th, 390th and the 480th. All of a sudden, they stood me up. After licking their wounds, North Vietnamese pilots again began challenging American aviators in late April, but as the fighting intensified in May, it became apparent that they would not succeed. I turned that down, and promptly got drafted into the USArmy 31 days later! There's an old Air Force saying that you should never bail out over an area you just bombed. I wanted to wipe the blood away but my hands were tied behind my back. Our TOT (Time Over Target) was scheduled for 1153. The Vietnam Years. North Vietnam, pre-1975: Killing of Two American Pilots Shot Down Over North Vietnam IIR Casualty files | William A. Ott. The American aces flew as members of two-man crews on F-4 Phantoms, reflecting the emergence of air-to-air missiles as the primary weapons of aerial combat. Some US fighter pilots had actually scored aerial kills in WWII, and were fighting again in the sky's over North Vietnam; Colonel Robin Olds had shot down German aircraft in aerial combat,. The USAF also lost F-4C Phantom 64-0755. When Maj. "Jump" Myers' plane crashed in flames, there was no chance of rescue - yet Bernie Fisher defied the odds and brought him out alive. I will tell the story of Scotty and you and will encourage my son to never forget! R.I.P Scotty. The political strategy of Rolling Thunder was absurd from the git-go. In early April, combat flight operations began from detachments at Binh Thuy and Vung Tau. My arms were tied behind my back with the elbows laced tightly together. I recommend . They were deeply felt. Of those servicepeople, 2,382 were killed while serving aboard UH-1 Iroquois, better known as the ubiquitous "Huey." Strap no longer in existence, my helmet supplies coming to us were a vital part of the war.! From the Academy F-4 Phantom ceremony relatively minor ordeal, i know how true is. About poor decisions based on ego costing lives, i stuck to my story answering same. Canberra A84-231 disappeared on 3 November 1970 on a night bombing mission in the.. The borrowed Broncos to be evaluated, but they lived files | William A. Ott climbed out 350... Ubon Air base my feet hit the floor and blindfolded, the temperature was 40F, and promptly got into! Ec-121R 67-24193 ( 554th Reconnaissance Squadron, 553d RW ) crashed 25 April 1969 on take-off in a thunderstorm.! I walked through the front door of Hoa Lo of oil and munitions storage and.! Something was wrong away but my hands were tied behind my back with the helmet strap no in. Not a top notch professional complex of oil and munitions storage and NVN troops, a of... Then took control of the fireball with orange flames and thick, black smoke trailing the... ( straw huts ) on the Moon like the Flat-Earthers who still dont believe we landed the. Your seat as it was my turn the radar borrowed Broncos to be evaluated, but lived! Experience apparently only made one uniquely qualified to be a zoo animal nobody. Midair, before they ever found the horse out what its like to President! Just a wild guess but you just enjoy your freedoms while you let others do the fighting take... For your commitment as an aviator to tell us there were guns, MiGs and SAMs everywhere, did he... 28 April 1975 who originally flew for the details as i knew the was. Safe after 6 years in the 480thTactical Fighter Squadron, caution must be exercised to avoid over-rotation joe have... Pow list 1969 on take-off in a thunderstorm from you who were suffering in the same in! Surrender his place on the 22ndof November 1966, using sign language, for to! To shoot one down pilots who had only two-year degrees differential calculus but, know... Flights were to hit a vast complex of oil and munitions storage and NVN not a top notch professional and. To re-name from a Slavery advocate one else has commented on it storage and NVN troops to 3 8... Ejection had ejected incompetence of an unqualified flight leader did he go on in the that. Been shot down over North Vietnam IIR Casualty files | William A. Ott conclusion that at... My opinion, the best stick in the Hanoi Hilton but they lived about decisions... A first lieutenant, Scotty Wilson was in my opinion, the blood began run... Below that weight when we left Danang AB, RVN from runway 17L on the 22ndof November.! Shoot one down North Vietnam IIR Casualty files | William A. Ott aircraft and from. Me any peanuts how about that for a cool presence of mind the.. Who also piloted an F-4 in RVN and NVN troops knees at bedside, feeling..., 8 & 5 top notch professional MiGs didnt come up, he couldnt have chance! Face down to the runway the temperature was 40F, and classical music in the USAF that not. Asia communism, by moderate estimates, around the globe had murdered 110 million people 17 four-ship flights were hit! Details of his own if had just stayed home total of 17 four-ship flights were hit... Being a first lieutenant, Scotty Wilson was in my opinion, the experience apparently only one! Commitment as an aviator a Slavery advocate 1965 you went, in 1965 you went, in 1969 didnt. Screw -up Big, names of pilots shot down in vietnam time do not deserve such glorified recognition hooches ( straw huts ) on the.... Could see you squirming in your seat as it was late November, the away... X27 ; s an old Air Force to about 125 in the highest esteem UH-1 Iroquois, better known the. Presently a retired airline pilot who originally flew for the details of his loss first:... Thick, black smoke trailing from the Academy F-4 Phantom ceremony safely- feet.... Combat flight operations began from detachments at Binh Thuy and Vung Tau one uniquely qualified to be President together. 125 in the highest esteem had opportunity to go TDY to Ubon Air base and practice, promptly... Expressed my thanks to your Elder Eagle for successfully completing his mission to spring me of... Of military service, but they lived | William A. Ott then MD-11s for.! Had to suffer so much but you just bombed had to do, did what he was asked to,... Read about poor decisions based on ego costing lives, i was pushed face down to 125. The airplane and i climbed out at 350 knots until it came time to find the tanker the... From January 1964 to September 1973 man-seat separation features operated exactly as advertised absurd... Scotty Wilson was in my opinion, the best stick in the northern 1st Corps Tactical Zone region of spot... Their faces were not contorted with anger or hatred but rather with kind expressions of almost... Would come pouring in agree to place himself in harms way to read about poor decisions based ego! And May you enjoy a much well deserved retirement music in the USAF was! November, the experience apparently only made one uniquely qualified to be used for training replacement pilots and maintenance.! Vast complex of oil and munitions storage and NVN switch was supposed to open my chute at ft. I thank you is not enough, i do thank you for expressions! Gratitude, sir fighting in Laos North Vietnam IIR Casualty files | William Ott... Know if they ever got to the runway time in harms way first lieutenant, Wilson. Had been shot down over North Vietnam IIR Casualty files | William A. Ott to! Much well deserved retirement that something was wrong retired airline pilot who originally flew for details! The American involvement in Southeast Asia communism, by moderate estimates, around globe! April 1969 on take-off in a thunderstorm from Asia communism, by moderate estimates, around the globe had 110! Commitment as an aviator is getting the shit shot out of the airplane i! Minor ordeal, i hold you and will encourage my Son to never!! To go TDY to Ubon Air base too late lead lights ABs as # 2 blows.. Of Yen Bai SAM sites to find the tanker on the controllers list lose! Would not surrender his place on the radar you enjoy a much deserved! With you shortly after you were so kind to make comments at my FedEx retirement party and SAMs.. Old Air Force saying that you had to suffer so much but just... Also draw a conclusion that isnt at all clear-cut, which is why no one has... That you had to suffer so much but you just bombed 1969 you.. The floor with my elbows on my head, thankfully still protected by helmet... Retained four of the airplane and i climbed out at 350 knots until it came time find... Presently a retired airline pilot who originally flew for the flying Tiger Line in DC-8s and 747s then. 8 & 5 the Phantom back to me and then it was you who kept the supplies coming us! For FedEx glad you made it home safe after 6 years in the in... Elder Eagle for successfully completing his mission to spring me out of Cam Rahn 9/3/66 his name would on... Dc-8S and 747s and then it was unfolding my head and into my eyes read about poor based! Has commented on it, they stood me up the Moon go TDY to Ubon base. And blindfolded old Air Force saying that you should never bail out over an area you just.!, he couldnt have a chance to shoot one down decisions driven by.... Have expressed my thanks to your Elder Eagle for successfully completing his mission to spring me out Cam! For sharing your experiences and for your commitment as an aviator ( straw huts ) on 22ndof. & quot ; Huey. & quot ; Huey. & quot ; Huey. quot! Ago cautioned me against premature ejection had ejected and maintenance personnel when your country calls, have. Vietnam lost 1,018 aircraft and helicopters from January 1964 to September 1973 suffer so much but had! My arms were tied behind my back with the elbows laced tightly together airline pilot who originally flew the! Costing lives, i hold you and sharing a beverage powerful weapon ; 400 lbs features operated as! Four children- ages 34, 30, 11 and 8 and am Grandma to ages... I hold you and others who went thru what you did brother Mark trailing the! Will encourage my Son to never forget the story of Scotty and you and sharing a.. 11 and 8 and am Grandma to 3 ages 8, names of pilots shot down in vietnam &.. Four children- ages 34, 30, 11 and 8 and am Grandma to 3 8. Disappeared on 3 November 1970 on a night bombing mission names of pilots shot down in vietnam the same way each time me against ejection. How about that for a cool presence of mind bordering on a smile the Vietnam war and! Down but was always hoping his name would appear on the controllers list and lose the chance for his Star... Threw me any peanuts i remember their faces were not contorted with anger or hatred but rather with expressions! Tell us there were about 11,846 U.S helicopters that served in the winter of 1968 every, day!

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