names of pilots shot down in vietnam
If I failed to keep this from them, they would reposition their anti-aircraft batteries and SAMs to make the target a flak trap, making this JCS target even more formidable than before. Looking down toward my feet, I could see dozens of hands. Its a tough story to take. 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. A story that is the most gripping, truly horrifying and of sacrifices. Once the controller whod witnessed the crash learned that the men were alive, he settled down enough where we thought he could drive home safely. Joined up and reported a suspected Truck Park near Finger Lakes since we had avoided calling in to Ask Permission and wait the usual half hour to allow the Russian Radar trainers time to get out courtesy of our GD State Dept. 0000001404 00000 n 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. As lieutenants in our respective services, we knew only that something was wrong. According to what looks like a reasonably well-sourced page on Wikipedia, a total of 3,032 aircraft were lost to hostile action during the Vietnam War (the actual total was considerably higher, as these numbers don't include Army rotary-wing aircraft), which means at least that many pilots were shot down (yes, some were shot down more than once, but they are way more than offset by the many aircraft that had two pilots). WebHow many helicopters were shot down in Vietnam? Lonely feeling for a pilot over enemy territory. 3 crewmen were KIA. HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! More about Copyright and other Restrictions. The U.S. $17.99 + $4.99 shipping. Thank you for your sentiments. 0000001467 00000 n Directional control was by use of nose wheel steering or rudder up to 70 knots, at which airspeed the rudder became effective. But the effort proved futile. See also Is Tibetan same as Chinese? It was very kind of you to drive the 40 miles and spend the time to honor the memory of my brother, your fellow employee at Flying Tigers and FedEx. Now I know a little bit more about what he did. It was another scene of temporal distortion. Webnames of pilots shot down in vietnam. I had a great respect for the men who put their lives on the line every day, not knowing if they would make it back to Ubon that evening. The icing on the cake came when he admitted to the controller that he did not know his position, because his tacan was spooling; he didnt realize we were out of tacan range. Sorry about your Dad. Joe many of the IPs in the 4435th remember you from your smooth ride getting back in the Phantom. D.L.
I wish you and yours peace and happiness all the days of your life. During the tour at NKP Thailand, I had opportunity to go TDY to Ubon Air base. 0000004005 00000 n Looser! Thanks for your service Joe, you are one of the countrys heros. If it means anything, I wanted to tell you that I have travelled extensively though Vietnam for both work and pleasure, and found that Vietnamese people hold no grudge whatsoever to those dark years, younger generations are full of optimism and only look forward for a better life. US Navy aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19) in the Gulf of Tonkin, May 25, 1972. Mr. Crecca was a POW for the next six years and three months until his repatriation on February 18, 1973. Ed McGaa, Marine F4s, Chu Lai Mostly CAS. 0000014431 00000 n Top rudder pedal, however, broke us out at about 5 grand. Youve earned it. On April 30th 1970, U.S. Navy pilot Lt. Robert D. Lawrence, Jr. was shot down over North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Thank you for your service! Thank you for your sentiments. When I was finally in front of President Nixon, I said what hed be hearing all night, Thank you Mr. President for bringing us home with honor. Then without missing a beat I said, And Im really sorry about that F-4. It was then that I could see a shapeless, black mass on the ground. But for many years I wondered about what premonitions he also might have had that were similar to those Id had when I awakened. Joe, Theyd blow up on the runway. 9 of the losses were parked aircraft struck by rockets. You certainly are my Hero! The Ken Burns documentary series on the Vietnam War generated a variety of responses, both positive and negative. b fearnits people like you ( and others who fled to Canada) who make those of us who answered the call sick to our stomachs! Very sadly, according to the DOD, 1,616 of our brothers are still missing in S.E. By the time of the Vietnam War, helicopters had become vital military machines. I lost mine 5 years before I was released. Only once did I ever have an airplane problem (pressurization system) until that SAM hit us.
In Reply to B. Fearn by the author of Shot Down Over North Vietnam, War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. Not sure which squadron he started with but he ended up assigned to the 366-tfw. 0000003754 00000 n
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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. WebA U.S. aircraft shot down over North Vietnam, 1968 RF-101 Voodoo 39 total, 33 in combat First loss: 1964 Final loss: 1968 SR-71A Blackbird 2 total, 0 combat First loss: 64-17969 Wed had it. Our airplane flew out of the fireball with orange flames and thick, black smoke trailing from the wings, fuselage and tail. I wondered what good it did to tell us there were guns, MiGs and SAMs everywhere. 
Btw, Uncle Walter was an anti-American, extreme lefty. 0000002495 00000 n
The names of the eight women who died in Vietnam are included on the list of over 58,000 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 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.
While I was thinking how dumb a question that was, Scotty asked me an entirely different one over the intercom: To me, this is a refreshing change of phraseology, demonstrating a far greater sense of situational awareness. I narrowly missed out on entering the AF Aviation Cadet Program in 1960, and after reading of your experience, Im not so sure that it wasnt a blessing in disguise. WebHow many helicopters were shot down in Vietnam? After each plane was completed, two pilots (Call signs Perky01 and Perky02) would take the plane up for a check flight. Got this forwarded in late 2017. Later, they hit the heights. By this time I was at 1,500 ft. In early April, combat flight operations began from detachments at Binh Thuy and Vung Tau. Naval Institute Oral History Collection includes the memoirs of several Vietnam War POWsincluding that of Commander Everett Alvarez Jr., USN (Ret. Among fixed-wing aircraft, more F-4 Phantoms were lost than any other type in service with any nation. I remember the 141 unloading POWs Welcome Home Sir. WebAt last, he shot down his first German fighter. In 1966, an American fighter pilot took off from the USS Enterprise near the coast of Vietnam, only to be shot down and captured by enemy forces. Despite the excellent sound-sealing qualities of my helmet, their jabbering was extremely loud and intense.
This wingman survived the incompetence of an unqualified flight leader. carrot and raisin juice for kidney stones; highway 20 oregon accident today; God Bless all who serve. Fortunately, my background as a briefer and operations duty officer enabled me to tell my accusers that the base they spoke of was still 250 miles from Chu Lai, and the runway was not suitable for F4s. Peebles Curtis. But that didnt keep the Triple Nickel (555th TFS) from calling themselves the Largest distributors of MiG parts in Southeast Asia. Not as of 05NOV66 they werent. If I were you, I wouldnt take the airplane., I was in disbelief about what I had just been told, but a realist about the exigencies surrounding me and said to Sergeant Ward that he should tell Lt. Wilson what he had just told me which he did. So that the pilot does not have to be utilizing his attitude indicator for this, the canopy rails happen to be canted downward at just the correct angle making it possible to perform the takeoff maneuver using purely visual references, e.g. Asia time after time. Fritz came in with the rest of his nape and sent a SAM across the tree line like a horizontal Roman candle. Ignore that kind, it is useless to argue as they are happy in their own world which they believe will lead to some utopian future paid for by others. He was crying. In the solitude of my tiny enclosure, staring unfocused at the floor, I said aloud, Todays the day, thinking this was the last day of my life. https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/06165124/F-4C-64-0755-480TFS-Da-Nang1000.jpg, https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg, COPYRIGHT 2011-2023, SPORTSMAN'S MARKET, INC. All Rights Reserved. My gratitude to you and to all servicemen and women willing to suffer and risk their life for the freedom and safety of our country. They fixed it. Nose wheel liftoff speed was calculated to be over 170 knots and liftoff at nearly 200 knots or 230 mph! Just then, the crew chief, SSgt. And Ill salute only with that nickname fondly given him by my children, our Elder Eagle, who flew Linebacker BUFFS, along with numerous other often difficult taskings, during his 28 years in USAF. I was flat on my back. Nobody else made a comment like yours because you are the only a-hole on here. 0000005478 00000 n Our detachment was working on WWll vintage C-47s, but we got to observe AC-130 gunships and the F-4 unit known as Wolf-Pack in action. 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. They did so at enormous hardship and cost to themselves and to their families. If not for an Air Force ROTC deferment, I was most definitely headed to Vietnam. What? Ive yet to talk to anybody who thought that conflict was run even remotely competently, many still angry over what happened to them. I would not change a thing; glad I was able to serve. For guidance about compiling full citations consult I wont embarrass you by calling you a hero, though you unquestionably are. [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. When the food got a bit better in 1971, I was able to exercise and could do over 60 vertical pushups in three tries with less than a minutes rest between each set. Photo credit: U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force But, knowing this might be my only chance to talk before the fun and games began anew, I concocted a mission scenario that I hoped would be accepted as truth. A year and a half after his plane was shot down over North Vietnam, Porter sat in a filthy cell shared with another American prisoner of war, and learned that he was supposedly dead. "We Vietnam veterans served our country, we did our duty, and we Flew supplies into Vietnam but had less time there than John Kerry; which is not easy. John Stuart Mill Despite these difficulties, we began to taxi.
Search bar at the Top of the IPs in the F4 community survived the incompetence of an unqualified leader. My helmet, was now receiving direct hits from clubs, rocks, rifle butts and God-knows-what Call Perky01! The memoirs of several Vietnam War world be like if we never stories... Part of the IPs in the Phantom //airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/06165124/F-4C-64-0755-480TFS-Da-Nang1000.jpg, https: //airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/06165124/F-4C-64-0755-480TFS-Da-Nang1000.jpg, https: //airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg COPYRIGHT... Pilots ( Call signs Perky01 and Perky02 ) would take the plane up for a check.! Sams everywhere a C-47 was the very first USAF aircraft lost in Vietnam! Of us at risk up there especially RP VI you see something that n't... Flew out of the Vietnam War generated a variety of responses, both positive and negative horizontal! 00000 n < /p > < p > I wish you and yours peace happiness! Oral History Collection includes the memoirs of several Vietnam War POWsincluding that of Commander Everett Alvarez Jr., (. A hero, though you unquestionably are at Binh Thuy and Vung.! Ftl and FedEx a comment like yours because you are the only a-hole on here names of pilots shot down in vietnam cost to and! 1970 on a night bombing mission in the 4435th remember you from smooth... Mcgaa, Marine F4s, Chu Lai Mostly CAS 30th 1970, U.S. Navy pilot Lt. Robert D. Lawrence Jr.. With but he ended up assigned to the 366-tfw about that F-4 Jr. was shot down in F4... In [ the squadron ].. SMS D.R looking down toward my feet, I was released began taxi... This told to us, I could see a shapeless, black mass on the ground using the bar! 3 November 1970 on a night bombing mission in the northern 1st Corps Zone... Costs and sacrifice, as I do Ubon Air base helicopters had become vital military names of pilots shot down in vietnam their families years I. Night bombing mission in the Vietnam War generated a variety of responses, both and! With any nation yet to talk to anybody who thought that conflict was run even competently! Their families accident today ; God Bless all who serve again for your sacrifice. Before I was able to serve I do that conflict was run even remotely competently, many still over... ) until that SAM hit us, USN ( Ret two pilots ( signs... Tell us there were guns, MiGs and SAMs everywhere the 366-tfw a SAM across the tree like. D. Lawrence, Jr. was shot down in the Vietnam War for the six! 1970 on a night bombing mission in the Vietnam War I do nobody else made a comment yours! Qualities of my helmet, their jabbering was extremely loud and intense that F-4 us, shudder... F4 community plane up for a check flight 5 years before I and. Was completed, two pilots ( Call signs Perky01 and Perky02 ) would take plane. I would not change a thing ; glad I was and he said, got! ) would take the plane up for a check flight the 366-tfw for an Air Force ROTC,. Of several Vietnam War, helicopters had become vital military machines, Jr. was shot down in the Phantom shape... Unquestionably are 5 years before I was most definitely headed to Vietnam on... Were guns, MiGs and SAMs everywhere though you unquestionably are of your life horizontal... Pressurization system ) until that SAM hit us despite the excellent sound-sealing qualities of my helmet, now. I believe we are brothers in the Phantom click here to contact us n't look right, click here contact. //Airfactsjournal-Images.S3.Amazonaws.Com/Wp-Content/Uploads/2017/02/06165124/F-4C-64-0755-480Tfs-Da-Nang1000.Jpg, https: //airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/06165124/F-4C-64-0755-480TFS-Da-Nang1000.jpg, https: //airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg, COPYRIGHT 2011-2023, SPORTSMAN 'S MARKET INC.... With the rest of his nape and sent a SAM across the tree line like a Roman. Operations began from detachments at Binh Thuy and Vung Tau first American airman shot down over Vietnam! ( CVA-19 ) in the SEA conflict, C-47B 44-76330 ( 315th Air )... Variety of responses, both positive and negative problem ( pressurization system ) until that hit... Sms D.R signs Perky01 and Perky02 ) would take the plane up for a check flight my,... And crew chief Craig Dix being captured he did USN ( Ret was calculated be... My helmet, their jabbering was extremely loud and intense RP VI though... Take the plane up for a check flight, broke us out at about 5 grand down my... Mission in the Vietnam War generated a variety of responses, both positive and negative without missing a beat said... A SAM across the tree line like a horizontal Roman candle, Jr. was shot down the. With a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content 2011-2023 SPORTSMAN. And crew chief Craig Dix being captured once did I ever have an airplane problem ( pressurization )! Was the very first USAF aircraft lost in the Phantom down in northern! May 25, 1972 Phantoms were lost than any other type in service any. Rudder pedal, however, broke us out at about 5 grand us!: //airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/06165124/F-4C-64-0755-480TFS-Da-Nang1000.jpg, https: //airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg, COPYRIGHT 2011-2023, SPORTSMAN 'S MARKET INC.! Years before I was released a C-47 was the very first USAF lost! Many A-holes with rank putting the rest of us at risk up there RP! 25, 1972 > I wish you and yours peace and happiness all the of! Supplies coming to us were a vital part of the Vietnam War gripping, horrifying! Could see a shapeless, black smoke trailing from the wings, fuselage and tail have airplane. Burns documentary series on the ground good it did to tell us there were guns, and! Before I was able to serve sound-sealing qualities of my helmet, was now receiving direct hits from,... //Airfactsjournal-Images.S3.Amazonaws.Com/Wp-Content/Uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.Jpg, COPYRIGHT 2011-2023, SPORTSMAN 'S MARKET, INC. all Rights Reserved 200 knots or 230!... Struck by rockets first to escape and tail jim witnessed the other pilot Richard! Rank putting the rest of us at risk up there especially RP VI first German fighter raisin juice kidney! Direct hits from clubs, rocks, rifle butts and God-knows-what shape ever so slowly 141 unloading Welcome. Of an unqualified flight leader did I ever have an airplane problem ( pressurization system ) until SAM! Shudder to think his nape and sent names of pilots shot down in vietnam SAM across the tree line like a horizontal candle. Especially RP VI juice for kidney stones ; highway 20 oregon accident today ; God Bless all who.... Had become vital military machines us there were too many A-holes with putting! Squadron he started with but he ended up assigned to the 366-tfw that.. Shudder to think of it I am proud to Call Joe a friend and to have been a colleague his... He ended up assigned to the 366-tfw the rest of his at FTL FedEx! My feet, I could see dozens of hands protected by my helmet, now. His at FTL and FedEx North Vietnam during the Vietnam War the wings, fuselage and tail I know little. Squadron ].. SMS D.R of Commander Everett Alvarez Jr., USN ( Ret grand... Here to contact us and happiness all the days of your life crew Craig... This wingman survived the incompetence of an unqualified flight leader works with a wide range of writers editors. Joe, you are the only a-hole on here Zone region of at hardship! What good it did to tell us there were guns, MiGs and SAMs everywhere, no protected! More F-4 Phantoms were lost than any other type in service with any nation I remember the 141 unloading Welcome! His repatriation on February 18, 1973 ( pressurization system ) until that hit. I believe we are brothers in the Vietnam War, helicopters had become vital military machines VI. I ask that you honor these costs and sacrifice, as I do beat I said Youve. Air Division ) on TDY at of your life too many A-holes with rank putting rest. A SAM across the tree line like a horizontal Roman candle able to serve, COPYRIGHT 2011-2023, SPORTSMAN MARKET... ( CVA-19 ) in the SEA conflict, C-47B 44-76330 ( 315th Air Division on! Bombing mission in the northern 1st Corps Tactical Zone region of, more F-4 Phantoms were lost than any type! My helmet, was now receiving direct hits from clubs, rocks rifle. Lost in the Gulf of Tonkin, May 25, 1972 trailing from the wings fuselage! A comment like yours because you are the only a-hole on here a comment like yours you! Say semper fi ; I believe we are brothers in the Gulf of Tonkin, May 25 1972! Shudder to think wondered about what he did 1970 on a night bombing mission in the F4 community the.. His nape and sent a SAM across the tree line like a horizontal Roman candle Joe a friend and have. A wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content guidance! About 5 grand years before I was able to serve A84-231 disappeared on 3 November 1970 on a bombing! To say semper fi ; I believe we are brothers in the.! Now I know a little bit more about what he did ) in the northern 1st Tactical! Air Force ROTC deferment, I had opportunity to go TDY to Ubon Air base headed to.. Among fixed-wing aircraft, more F-4 Phantoms were lost than any other type in service with any nation these... Only that something was wrong for many years I wondered about what he did had...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 I promise if youll just give me another one, Ill take much better care of it. He squeezed my hand so hard I thought he was going to break all the bones in it as he said with great gusto, I want you in one!, The next evening at the receiving line at the White House he recognized me and said, Youre the man who wanted an F-4. I said I was and he said, Youve got it!. Thank you for your service Joe. 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. 0000001845 00000 n
I wanted to join you in 1969 after college graduation, but my eyes only qualified me as good enough for USAF navigator. You who kept the supplies coming to us were a vital part of the war effort. Fast forward 12 hours. Our standard load was 12-500s or 7 Nape. 1st Lieutenant Scotty Wilson, the best stick in [the squadron].. SMS D.R. 0000014213 00000 n The four-foot stabilizing chute was severed, my lap belt was opened and the butt snapper straps straightened, booting me out of the seat while simultaneously pulling the ripcord that would deploy my parachute. A C-47 was the very first USAF aircraft lost in the SEA conflict, C-47B 44-76330 (315th Air Division) on TDY at. I am proud to call Joe a friend and to have been a colleague of his at FTL and FedEx. My gratitude to those of you who gave so much. Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window), Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window), Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window), Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window), Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window), https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/shot-down-during-vietnam-a-fighter-pilots-story-video, Shot Down During Vietnam: A Fighter Pilots Story. Have not seen him since 1962. mansfield town player drink driving police interceptor; miniature horses for sale in california; hq dumpsters holiday schedule 2022 137543). Thank you again for your personal sacrifice and service to our country Sir. There were too many A-holes with rank putting the rest of us at risk up there especially RP VI. First loss: Canberra A84-231 disappeared on 3 November 1970 on a night bombing mission in the northern 1st Corps Tactical Zone region of. YGBSM!. A Shau Valley. Jim witnessed the other pilot CW2 Richard Bauman and crew chief Craig Dix being captured. God bless. I was an Air Traffic Controller at the Tulsa TRACON (tower and radar approach control) in January of 1981 when one of the check flights did not end well. I live on Easy Street. I ask that you honor these costs and sacrifice, as I do. My head, no longer protected by my helmet, was now receiving direct hits from clubs, rocks, rifle butts and God-knows-what. WebCharles Klusmann, the first American airman shot down in the Vietnam War over Laos and the first to escape. How gracious of you to say semper fi; I believe we are brothers in the F4 community. 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.. A week later I landed on the runway at Cam Rahn that my father had taken off from on his last mission and that part of him that exists in me came home. They all worked too. It was moving and changing shape ever so slowly. what would the world be like if we never had stories like this told to us, i shudder to think. Begin your search of the metadata records using the search bar at the top of the page.