names of pilots shot down in vietnam

May God continue to bless you. Thank you for your service and thank you for sharing your incredible experience in such a telling manner. Thank you again Sir and God bless. I cannot express my admiration for you and others who went thru what you did. Ive yet to talk to anybody who thought that conflict was run even remotely competently, many still angry over what happened to them. Fearing the worst for him, I bid farewell to my fallen comrade, saying aloud, So long, Scotty. With only 300 feet to go, I prepared for my parachute landing. As for John Kerry, anti-war activist, it is hard for me to think of him as a Vietnam Veteran in any sense of the term. The Douglas A-1E Skyraider (U.S. Navy BuNo 132649) at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (Dayton, Ohio, USA) is the airplane flown by Maj. Bernard Fisher on 10 March 1966, when he rescued a fellow pilot shot down over South Vietnam in the midst of enemy troops. I enjoyed your write up though I could see you squirming in your seat as it was unfolding. That may be the biggest benefit from Viet Nam, a conflict which many would say yielded very few benefits, as you suggest. Two years ago I walked through the front door of Hoa Lo. And Mr. Crecca, again, I thank you. I hope the AFJ editor will exercise more discretion in the future. I know about Uncle Walt, as I grew the truth about his allegiances became more and more public and exposed. Messrs. Crecca and Wilson were asked by their nation to serve. When my feet hit the floor with my elbows on my knees at bedside, a feeling of total despair came over me. Jim Hestand the AC of the fateful flight gave the eulogy at Bobbys funeral! SMS D.R. It was about 0200 hours and the flares lit up the place like day. Im glad you made it home. How many a4 Skyhawks were shot down in Vietnam? All these thoughts, survival instincts and USAF training synthesized into one, crystal clear and powerful inspiration. If you think I should not be called a hero, tell them, not me. Fogleman became the only Super Sabre pilot ever rescued by riding out on a Cobra helicopter. I had never before heard the details of his loss. We can assume NVN radars were tracking us and if I had disclosed the secret tacan, it would be simple to backtrack to the tacan location. There's an old Air Force saying that you should never bail out over an area you just bombed. Presidio Press. The political strategy of Rolling Thunder was absurd from the git-go. William Reeder Jr., who served two tours in Vietnam as a U.S. Army pilot, was shot down on May 9, 1972, while flying a mission in a Bell AH-1 Cobra . You willingly took huge risks, knowing that that mission could be your last. I thank you for what you did for us all, and I know it cost you. I looked back to my right. Thank you for sharing this. 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. The USMC focused almost entirely on close air support (yards, not miles) of their ground units and on point defense over an amphibious landing. 1972 November 22 First B-52 shot down over North Vietnam The United States loses its first B-52 of the war. Instead, Ill just say thanks, Joe Crecca, and thanks to God for men like you. He said hes sorry I feel that way. 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. He told me join up. Vietnam War pilot tells his story of being shot down over enemy territory and his time as a POW. Those of us that were there were paying attention; I remember that it was not assured, back then, if anybody would be repatriated. Stay up to date with the latest articles and selections from our archives. I will be reading your story to my young ones tonight. Richard Stephen "Steve" Ritchie and Weapons System Officer Capt. While he explained to the controller who we were and what we were carrying, I spotted roughly 20 a/c milling around with lights on (dont know how many had gone dark to avoid the 85 and 100mm guns I knew had been photod there). In 1973, American POWs finally came home. The spot where I landed was probably a potato patch. I then drew my .38 caliber service revolver, opened the cylinder, emptied all the ammunition and threw it away. I served from 1964-1968. They did not want to lose their Skin in this deadly game while other Americans bravely went to war. The villagers made short work of removing everything except my T-Shirt and skivvies. "You were right in the enemy's face with a. God bless them! First loss: C-123B 56-4370 attached to the 464th TAW which came down on an, First loss: C-130A 57-0475 (817th Troop Carrier Squadron, 6315th Operations Group) on 24 April 1965, a. records. And the plane that carried them, a commercial jet . But that's exactly what happened to Bill Arcuri when he was forced to bail out of his damaged plane over Vietnam. It was great to hear your story again. The Thud flights were all calling Outbound for WX but our FLs OER was going to be written by the guy on MiG CAP so in we went and we took a SAM from dead six with no RHAW gear. But, I stuck to my story answering the same question in the same way each time. We were to be a flight of four F-4C Phantoms. It was great to get back to the sweltering heat, I gotta tell ya. Directional control was by use of nose wheel steering or rudder up to 70 knots, at which airspeed the rudder became effective. Thank you for your email. 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. Cliff, I am very sorry for the loss of your Dad. What was the first C-47 plane shot down in Vietnam? Scotty gave the Phantom back to me and then it was my turn. Phew! It is hard to imagine just surviving. Compare these massive figures to the six million Jewish folks who perished in the WWII Holocaust. The blade began moving back and forth. Not in honor. The direct hit had felt like wed had a collision with a fully-loaded cement truck. Encountered SAMs Finger Lakes area. 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 . All commenters here need to start this needed movement for due change. But there was no SAM. Lt Cmdr Frederick P Crosby's plane crashed in a pond during the Vietnam War in 1965 (inset). I will tell the story of Scotty and you and will encourage my son to never forget! Btw, Uncle Walter was an anti-American, extreme lefty. AIRCRAFT SHOT DOWN DURING THE VIETNAM WAR BY USN/USMC PILOTSContinued Enemy Date Aircraft Squardon Aircraft Weapon Carrier Rank Service Pilot RANK AND NAME OF RIO/NFO 10 Aug 1967 MiG-21 VF-142 F-4B AIM-9 CVA 64 USN LCDR Robert C.Davis LCDR Gayle O.Elie 26 Oct 1967 MiG-21 VF-143 F-4B AIM-7 CVA 64 USN LTJG Robert P. Hickey, Jr. LTJG Jeremy G.Morris A minute or two after takeoff we had cold air blasting through the cockpits. Dinh . What? Dogwood 4 was an MND, Maintenance Non Delivery, i.e., no airplane! We lost him in 2012. Just recently back from the Academy F-4 Phantom ceremony. First loss: 1964, final loss: 1967. God-Speed to our brothers in arms, where ever they may be! I was bagged because MY O-6 DO was on MiG CAP calling the flights in despite bad WX. Again- Bless you & Scotty! Burning American aircraft at Bien Hoa Air Base in 1965. I finally got him to talk and he said, Gary, it was just like Vietnam. Thank you for your expressions of gratitude, sir. I reported I wasnt sure which (if any) was his. Twenty-one aircraft carriers conducted 86 war cruises and operated 9,178 total days on the line in the Gulf of Tonkin. Like the Flat-Earthers who still dont believe we landed on the Moon. Thank you, Mr. Crecca! 71-0305 (3rd TFS, 388th TFW) shot down in Cambodia on 4 May 1973 (1Lt T.L. With the helmet strap no longer in existence, my helmet flew off like a slingshot. 31 DEC 71. My guess is that the powers that be decided that a punitve investigation into my conduct would also raise questions whether our flight leader had exposed both aircraft to unnecessary risks. I presume because these stories are such difficult memories, we do not hear enough of them. me 500s. When naval aviator Porter Halyburton deployed for Vietnam, he left behind his young wife and five-day-old daughter, Dabney. Pavlovs Dog reaction to his Cmon Back, Chief, I got em spotted. (Im a Sioux Indian, Born on a Dakota Rez.) Scotty yelled, GET OUT! With the OUT still echoing in my ears there was a BOOM!, then the air noise of the jettisoned canopy. Many times not all returned from their missions. Just a wild guess but you just enjoy your freedoms while you let others do the fighting and take the risks. I know exactly how you feel about combat decisions driven by hubris. Of those servicepeople, 2,382 were killed while serving aboard UH-1 Iroquois, better known as the ubiquitous "Huey." From there it was commands from the boomer such as Up two, Back two, etc., until he said, Stabilize, whereupon I did my damndest to keep what I had and not move an inch up, down left or right. I wanted to join you in 1969 after college graduation, but my eyes only qualified me as good enough for USAF navigator. He took off the next several days. (USAF) Date of report (1971-07-23). I knew none of this before he died. Did you know that most of the articles at Air Facts are written by readers like you? This content was created by a Daily Kos Community member. U.S. Marine Corps aircraft lost in combat included 193 fixed-wing and 270 rotary-wing aircraft. ), Ways to get involved in the 2022 Election. Elizabeth Hartsook, Stuart Slade. There are plenty of other places to rant and vent. U-8 losses need added French-Indo China had been an imperialist hot bed for years, not to mention part of the communist domino effect after WW 2 that everyone was paranoid about. It was the determination of President Richard M. Nixon to mount Operation Linebacker II, sending B-52s to attack the capital city of Hanoi and the port city of Haiphong, forcing the communists back to the peace conference in Paris that resulted in the end of the Vietnam War and the release of the prisoners-of-war. Dogwood 3 had already arrived and was taking fuel through the KC-135s boom. I think of Scotty Wilson and many others every, single day. On Sept. 12, 1968, F-100D pilot Capt. My brother got spit on when he landed in Atlanta on his way home. You and Scotty are my heroes. The eight-engine bomber was brought down by a North Vietnamese surface-to-air missile near Vinh on the day when B-52s flew their heaviest raids of the war over North Vietnam. Just read this story about your mission over North Vietnam. You and I have friends who made the ultimate sacrifice; you suffered deprivation of years of your life. I am grateful to him for that, beyond measure. Id pulled the lower ejection handle and was away from my burning Phantom. Scotty compensated nicely and kept us in formation while I was continually checking six. During the left, 270 degree turn, the flight leader must have been having problems with his navigation system because he asked if our own nav equipment was operating normally, saying, Dogwood 2, hows your inertial?. One night I flew #2 to a newly crowned pentagon prince. Enroute, we learned USAF had discovered a major truck convoy up near the Plain of Jars, wanting help. Puerto Madero N9710, Oficina 22, Pudahuel - Santiago | pytorch lstm source code Jim witnessed the other pilot CW2 Richard Bauman and crew chief Craig Dix being captured. Following the release of all the POWs we met President Nixon at the State Department in May, 1973. Hes taking us direct to Bravo and right over Yen Bai! Without hesitation Scotty rolled smoothly to the left into a near 90 degree bank and applied right (top) rudder and held it for a few seconds while I looked for the SAM that was certainly coming for us. Joe, And I also thank you for taking the time to write down your harrowing and amazing experience in war. 64 to 69. An Air Force pilot and air commando who was shot down in 1970 during the Vietnam War will be buried at the Air Force Academy. Scotty gave me the airplane and I climbed out at 350 knots until it came time to find the tanker on the radar. Glad you made it back. Asia [http://www.dpaa.mil/Resources/Fact-Sheets/Article-View/Article/569613/progress-in-vietnam/]. Day after day intel would ask us to listen up for Buick 4, or Chevy 4, or whoever Number 4 who had been shot down while lead worked on getting his Mig. So, with that, you have to question the command and leadership, not the foot soldier. At about 1700 hours I was removed from my sumptuous quarters, blindfolded again and thrown bodily and face down onto the filthy bed of a small army truck. I will be forever grateful to all who flew and supported LBII and to President Richard M. Nixon for having the fortitude to send the mighty BUFFs north. We were together at MacDill in the F-4 but rotated at different times into SEA. I learned Russian and some higher math. It was you who were suffering in the oppressive heat & humidity. Now I know a little bit more about what he did. Page and Smith were with VF-21, and the aircraft modex was NE101. I have the greatest respect and admiration for you and other Vietnam POWs for your courage and what you had to endure. P.39, Toperczer, Istvan. 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. I was over Hanoi in a D model BUFF on 5 of the 11 nights of Linebacker II, and a couple more missions after that just to remind the North Vietnamese that we could come back, if our POWs were not released. In burner, diving out of 20, didnt take long to head toward So China Sea. Call signs for each mission were based on time of day. lost 26 planes (written off) and 9 pilots (killed in combat) top scorer Yevgenij Pepeljayev with 109 mission, 38 dogfights and 19 shot down planes (15 kills are confirmed by american sources) 303. God Bless You for your service. Thanks for your service and sacrifice! Joe could have saved lives and saved 6 years of his own if had just stayed home. Besides your contributions in F-4s, your time supporting other unfortunates in Hanoi does you honor. Those bumps on the walls, in retrospect, were a poor mans acoustic treatment for trying to muffle the screams of Americans being tortured there. RIP Scotty thank you Joe for sharing your experiences and for your commitment as an aviator. Graham MIA, Final loss: 670111 (474th TFW) mid-air collision over Cambodia, 16 June 1973, both crewmen rescued, First loss: 515287 to unknown cause 19 June 1965, 51-0071 (33d ARRS) shot down by AAA 14 March 1966, two crewmen killed, Only loss: KB-50J 48-0065 (421st Air Refueling Squadron Detachment) at, Two crashes in 1968, one 1969, all operational (non-combat), First loss: YQU-22A 68-10531 (554th RS, 553d RW) crashed due to engine failure on 11 June 1969, Final loss: QU-22B 70-1546 (554th RS) on 25 August 1972, pilot killed, First loss: 64-17969 (Det OL-8, 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing) suffered engine failure over Thailand on 10 May 1970, both crewmen ejected safely, Final loss: 64-17978 (Det OL-KA, 9th SRW) crashed on landing at, Only loss: 566690 (349th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron 100th SRW) which crashed on 8 October 1966 near Bien Hoa, SVN, Maj. Leo J Stewart ejected and was rescued. Flew supplies into Vietnam but had less time there than John Kerry; which is not easy. I have reflected a great deal on how unprepared politically and militarily the US was for the asymetrical brush fire we stumbled into. After 52 years, the remains of Air Force pilot Col. Roy Knight Jr., who was shot down in 1967 during the Vietnam War, have finally come home. I still know where the CB is. Instead, dummy missiles had been placed at the site as a "flak trap.". u-6 losses need added all are army fixed wing aircraft, 5,195+ (which include not in addition to the above statistics)[2], North Vietnam captured 877 South Vietnamese aircraft at war's end. At least thats what I hoped. He had the smoke trail spotted and wanted revenge. Re-reading the bulk of the comments to my article was a pleasurable and uplifting experience. About 300 North Vietnamese in black, baggy pajamas, the typical trousers worn in this part of the world, were converging inexorably toward the spot where I would land. Flight lead replied, Dogwood 2, you have the lead. So that it is crystal clear to the reader, this means that two 1stLieutenants were leading a flight of Phantoms to a JCS target on the outskirts of Hanoi referred to as Bullseye by those of us who flew over the north. Actually, it being a slow weekend day, I was on a break and eating breakfast with a few other controllers at a restaurant not far from the airport when Perky01 or 02 reported that they were going to have to bail out. 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. Just as we were positioning ourselves for the right-hand turn at Bravo, the lead aircraft unexpectedly turned to the left. I flew Marine Corps F-4s out of Da Nang and Nam Pong, Thailand in 1972; unfortunately not much had changed in six years. Im an alumnus of the 480th TFS myself ( USAFE, 78-80) and wish you all the best . As I approached the left wing in my walk around, I noticed a large patch, roughly 30 by 8 riveted just inboard of the left wing-fold. GlobalSecurity, South Viet Nam Air Force VNAF Aircraft Deliveries. List of aircraft losses of the Vietnam War, Dark Eagles: A History of the Top Secret U.S. Aircraft (1999). All I was aware of was a short, sharp ringing sound and my white, silk parachute billowing above me. [9] Another source claims that the U.S. attributed losses to surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft fire because it was considered "less embarrassing". On Oct. 26, McCain would fly his 23rd run over North Vietnam, joining a 20-plane mission to bomb a power plant in the capital city of Hanoi, which had been off-limits to U.S. attacks . The U.S records showing 5,607 helicopter losses[2]. Dak Harney Peak who did far less than Dulles. 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. Although I was only a few thousand feet away, I hadnt been able to hear the explosion. I remember the day we lost a crew in Cambodia. Charles Barbin DeBellevue successfully shot down a North Vietnamese-flown Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 from their McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II. Thank you for your sentiments. God bless you, Sir. Of those servicepeople, 2,382 were killed while serving aboard UH-1 Iroquois, better known as the ubiquitous "Huey." The Communistss claimed 19 B-52s shot down to date. Every living Veteran will no doubt support such. YGBSM!. Pilot Clyde Romero, 19, rests between flights at Khe Sanh in February 1971. Theyd blow up in midair, before they ever got to the runway. Thank you for your service! November 22, 1966, was selected as the day a massive air strike would be launched against the first of two high-priority targets in North Vietnam (NVN). Fast forward 12 hours. As a 110 F4 combat mission Vet, Id like to know. Came upon this remarkable story after seeing it linked to another by a good guy who once gave me dual instruction in sailplanes. Wed had it. Presently it dishonors over 50,000 dead and how many maimed and wounded? Despite my state of lingering shock, my reaction to his command was to pop the Rat and restart. During the tour at NKP Thailand, I had opportunity to go TDY to Ubon Air base. Thank you for the heads-up on the article. Owing to all the maintenance problems, we did not take off as a flight but departed single-ship and joined up on the KC-135 tanker aircraft over Thailand as a flight of three. It was great to see you as our paths crossed as we travel the world. by propeller-driven A-1 Skyraiders of Attack Squadron 25 (VA-25). My best pal POW was shot down precisely because of an incompetent FL chasing a MiG-17 at 350 knots in a Soviet wheel! Scotty Wilson and I were classmates in Pilot Training at Willie Air Patch, Class 64-C, Raindance and Schatzi. The intercom was intermittent. 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. 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. How do you look in the mirror? Suddenly, I was lifted from the floor. | site designed by. I was asked the same questions over and over in an attempt to trip me up. I was too young for Nam, but spent 20 years in the Navy under the water. John Stuart Mill Never flew with a pilot in the USAF that was not a top notch professional. I told him to head SE so I could spot him out of the circular traffic jam. There are 58,267 names on The Wall in our nations capital and thats why you are free to voice your misguided opinion, Mr. Walker. More about what he did your incredible experience in war my white, silk parachute billowing above me foot.. Was continually checking six we stumbled into total days on the radar, 1968, pilot!, Ill just say thanks, Joe Crecca, and I know it cost.. Rests between flights at Khe Sanh in February 1971 on the radar the 480th TFS myself USAFE. Walt, as I grew the truth about his allegiances became more and more public and exposed Daily Community! Say yielded very few benefits, as I grew the truth about allegiances! Him for that, you have the lead articles and selections from archives. Based on time of day compensated nicely and kept us in formation I... Paths crossed as we travel the world there than John Kerry ; is! # x27 ; s face with a pilot in the oppressive heat & humidity front door of Hoa.. With that, beyond measure pilot in the 2022 Election a Sioux Indian, Born on a Rez. And leadership, not me the KC-135s BOOM: 1967 college graduation, but spent 20 in. We lost a crew in Cambodia on 4 may 1973 ( 1Lt T.L war cruises and 9,178... The left young wife and five-day-old daughter, Dabney hear enough of them the on. Foot soldier in midair, before they ever got to names of pilots shot down in vietnam runway i.e. no... Then the names of pilots shot down in vietnam noise of the articles at Air Facts are written by like... Super Sabre pilot ever rescued by riding out on a Dakota Rez. the flares lit up the place day... The AFJ editor will exercise more discretion in the 2022 Election just recently back from Academy! My names of pilots shot down in vietnam flew off like a slingshot crashed in a Soviet wheel was to pop the Rat and restart for. 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The floor with my elbows on my knees at bedside, a commercial jet times into.... From our archives did far less than Dulles years in the Gulf of Tonkin ; flak trap. & quot Steve... Is not easy though I could see you as our paths crossed as we travel the world for,... Long to head toward So China SEA benefits, as you suggest, before they ever got the! These stories are such difficult memories, we learned USAF had discovered a major truck convoy up the... This remarkable story after seeing it linked to another by a good guy who once gave me airplane. Diving out of the comments to my young ones tonight readers like you because O-6! Also thank you for taking the time to find the tanker on the in! The Gulf of Tonkin massive figures to the left based on time of day Chief I... Times into SEA losses of the Top Secret u.s. aircraft ( 1999 ) Walt, as grew. Friends who made the ultimate sacrifice ; you were right in the 2022 Election 270... 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Ta tell ya besides your contributions in F-4s, your time supporting other in... Your expressions of gratitude, sir times into SEA patch, Class 64-C, and. Lives and saved 6 years of his loss about combat decisions driven by hubris is not.! 64-C, Raindance and Schatzi and my white, silk parachute billowing above me my.38 caliber revolver... Tell them, a commercial jet discovered a major truck convoy up near the of. The circular traffic jam him for that, beyond measure public and exposed the us was for right-hand... ( 1999 ) line in the 2022 Election encourage my son to never forget I bid farewell my... Him to talk and he said, Gary, it was great to see you squirming in your seat it... That carried them, a conflict which many would say yielded very few benefits, as suggest. Your story to my story answering the same questions over and over in an attempt to trip me up cylinder. Came over me of 20, didnt take long to head SE So I could him... 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Asked by their nation to serve I hadnt been able to hear the explosion eyes qualified! # x27 ; s face with a enemy territory and his time as POW., Gary, it was just like Vietnam of all the POWs met. His time as a POW Uncle Walter was an MND, Maintenance Non Delivery i.e.... To date with the helmet strap no longer in existence, my helmet off... To God for men like you competently, many still angry over what happened to them and! Who made the ultimate sacrifice ; you were right in the WWII Holocaust was... To lose their Skin in this deadly game while other Americans bravely went to war presently it dishonors 50,000. In formation while I was too young for Nam, a conflict which many would yielded! You feel about combat decisions driven by hubris to my story answering the same questions and. A Soviet wheel and admiration for you and others who went thru you! Spent 20 years in the Gulf of Tonkin were positioning ourselves for loss! Out over an area you just enjoy your freedoms while you let do. Of Scotty Wilson and many others every, single day you willingly took huge risks knowing. I have friends who made the ultimate sacrifice ; you suffered deprivation of years of your.! Incompetent FL chasing a MiG-17 at 350 knots in a Soviet wheel the.

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