Ho and Giap both wanted to meet with him. Final loss: C-7B 62-12584 (483d TAW) which crashed in SVN on 13 January 1971, all 4 crewmen survived. Of all those shot-down pilots, the experience apparently only made one uniquely qualified to be President. Phew! I last read he is in the state of Washington. Those of us that were there were paying attention; I remember that it was not assured, back then, if anybody would be repatriated. Thank you for sharing. The only USAF officers who could rise to strategic ranks were from Strategic Air Command (nuke bombers) and a very few from Air Defense Command. It was late November, the temperature was 40F, and all I had on were my underwear. 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. Did a Korea tour also when enlisted. Glad you made it home safe after 6 years in the north. But survival instincts and thorough ejection training were running the show. After each plane was completed, two pilots (Call signs Perky01 and Perky02) would take the plane up for a check flight. My father may not have approved of the smoking, but he clearly was shocked to see someone he nonetheless cared for killed right in front of him. At 0600, I awoke to the annoying buzzer of my Telechron alarm clock. May God bless you. Lt. Wilson and his family paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Both Aircrew members were Killed In-Action, Last VAL-4 loss: 155461 crashed on 9 February 1972. Our flight leader didnt want to have to face the DO back at Danang AB having to answer why he didnt bring his flight into the target. God Bless all who serve. what would the world be like if we never had stories like this told to us, i shudder to think. Fast forward 12 hours. Very sadly, according to the DOD, 1,616 of our brothers are still missing in S.E. Although thank you is not enough, I do thank you for your service. I wish you and yours peace and happiness all the days of your life. Thank You for your service. Presently it dishonors over 50,000 dead and how many maimed and wounded? And all of us should remember them every day because we are we enjoy the freedoms their sacrifice every, single day. I know exactly how you feel about combat decisions driven by hubris. Im sorry for the ignorant and ungrateful ones who are so foolish and disrespectful to you on this thread. On Oct. 25, 1967, I strapped into my F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bomber and took to the sky on my 33rd combat mission to strike a bridge in the middle of Hanoi, North Vietnam. In that instant, I realized how I would die; they were going to slice my head off. I remember the day we lost a crew in Cambodia. Sadly the other pilot and crew chief and door gunner did not make it. 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 . I was a F4 mechanic here at DMAFB in Tucson. Sharing your story forward. I recommend . We did that maneuver three times until clear of the array of Yen Bai SAM sites. I think of Scotty Wilson and many others every, single day. Thank you again for your personal sacrifice and service to our country Sir. If you are wondering how this is possible, I will reveal at the outset that it is not possible. Of course, things were beginning to wind down in Viet Nam by this time, but it was still mega impressive to see the F-4s light em up and blast off the runway like angry rocket-powered birds of prey searching for their next meal! The eight-engine bomber was brought down by a North Vietnamese surface-to-air missile. . He told me join up. If I could ever slow down I might have time to write that book. Blows were raining all over my body including my head, thankfully still protected by my helmet. First loss: 1964, final loss: 1967. Never regretted. The stage was thus set for failure in Vietnam by our strategic hubris, which was passed down the ranks from the most senior to the most junior officers. October 26, 1967: A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. Thank you for your service Joe. 33 years 6 months after his loss. Better than snakes or drowning in contaminated water, I thought briefly, before I was elevated again and dropped again. He also stated that there were no MiG-17 aces. 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. Dulles had his chance to prevent the un-needed War. Thank you for sharing this. The Navy had it right (mostly) in equipping, training and tailoring tactical air assets. How do you look in the mirror? Have not seen him since 1962. I have the greatest respect and admiration for you and other Vietnam POWs for your courage and what you had to endure. Charge of the Light Brigade. The man who had less than an hour ago cautioned me against premature ejection had ejected. The other Marine brought a lit match to the cigarette hed placed in his mouth, and as soon as he did, ZING, a bullet went through the Marines helmet and skull. The pilot Lieutenant J. M. Krommenhoek is Missing in Action. 1:00 Jan. 6 will mark 50 years since former Newburgh resident Dave Middleton was shot down in Vietnam while piloting a Loach helicopter on a mission to which he wasn't originally assigned.. He had the smoke trail spotted and wanted revenge. Just read this story about your mission over North Vietnam. [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". Its guys like you who Ive tried to be like when it became my turn to sit in the left seat. Joe, Many thanks for writing & publishing your story. I was in the tower in Saigon and F-4s would come pouring in. Because the Director of Operations (DO) was leading a flight-of-four on MiG Cap hoping to shoot down a MiG. Of those servicepeople, 2,382 were killed while serving aboard UH-1 Iroquois, better known as the ubiquitous "Huey." D.L. Rescued Misty Pilots . And the plane that carried them, a commercial jet . I wont embarrass you by calling you a hero, though you unquestionably are. Of all those doing their best to inflict bodily harm on me, the old women were the worst. We would read many of the reports re: the air war up north and scratch our heads when reading fiction in Stars and Stripes. Fritz was going Delta Airlines and I was bound for Law school so didnt sweat idiotic Rules. 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,. 2,197 of the losses were fixed-wing, and the remainder rotary-wing. You willingly took huge risks, knowing that that mission could be your last. Dak Harney Peak who did far less than Dulles. I believe I heard, or read, that the F-4 itself crashed in a small horse pasture. The Army and USAF spent enormous efforts preparing to fight WWII over again in Europe (this time with nukes). All commenters here need to start this needed movement for due change. He didnt understand that we were mixed in a huge gaggle competing for time on target, lugging 10 X 500# bombs, 400 miles from base, with marginal weather, fuel hungry, not in sight with each other? Approaching what should have been Point Alfa on our planned route, I noticed the nav pointer was off to the left when it should have been dead center straight up. Stay up to date with the latest articles and selections from our archives. Well, at least you tried. But, instead of cutting through my throat, as Id imagined, the blade moved away, cutting the helmet strap. Daily Kos moves in solidarity with the Black community. During the Vietnam War, thousands of U.S. aircraft were lost to antiaircraft artillery (AAA), surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), and fighter interceptors (MiG)s. The great majority of U.S. combat losses in all areas of Southeast Asia were to AAA. Reading yours was dismal, doom and gloom. From the back seat, I accomplished the fuel on-load at an altitude of 25,000 ft. having to use minimum afterburner on the left engine to stay in position due to the heavy load. Black Hills just changed So. Maximum allowable gross takeoff weight in an F-4C was 58,000 lbs. There was a terrifyingly loud and long explosion followed by staccato metal-to-metal sounds, probably of the J-79 turbine and compressor blades departing for parts unknown. 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. I fell into a restless, nightmarish and shivering cold sleep. 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. SP4 John C. Hughes [G] 1 injured. I thank you for what you did for us all, and I know it cost you. I am a high school friend of your daughter back in the 80s but I am still raising young ones today. Pilots would be hollering for this and for thatand there was NOTHING I could do. Scotty hadnt regained consciousness. This wingman survived the incompetence of an unqualified flight leader. I was a bit young to be drafted for Vietnam but as a flying geek and guy who likes to learn about military history, Ive had conversations with many people involved in that conflict, including soldiers, marines, airmen and my brother, a draftee who walked point in the US Army in Vietnam. Lost contact with you shortly after you were so kind to make comments at my FedEx retirement party. Thank you for your sentiments. It was another scene of temporal distortion. We knew radio chatter was recorded. Soviet General Fesenko, the main Soviet adviser to the North Vietnamese Air Force in 1972, recorded 34 MiG-21s destroyed in 1972. Final combat loss (also last USN combat loss of war): F-4J 155768 (VF-143, First VAL-4 loss: 155490 was shot down the night of 12 July 1969. 8081, Air War Vietnam Plans and Operations 19691975. Some were grabbing and pulling at my anti-g suit, flight suit and boots. He makes us tell a war story that we have heard. Your writing is superb and I wonder if you have considered writing a book about your experience in the USAF. Dinh . Final loss: EC-121R 67-21495 (554th RS) crashed on approach to Korat RTAFB on 6 September 1969, 4 of the 16 men were killed. Interservice arrogance held back both the USAF and the USMC until Rolling Thunder was finally recognized as a mismanaged and wasteful failure. I rest easy at night because of people like you. Despite our brief conversation enroute to the tanker about pilots who had ejected from their burning airplanes prematurely (their aircraft flew on for long distances before going out of control) what happened next got my attention. You were a great morale boost when we needed it the most. What was the first C-47 plane shot down in Vietnam? Scotty Wilson had a beautiful wife and daughter whose lives were torn asunder as well. 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). No better tribute to a warrior and man then to be remembered by his fellow warriors 50+ years later. He summed up his experience in Vietnam as It was f****d. You guys are the best we have. In addition to the roof, the toilet was destroyed! A sub-standard OER means you dont get promoted on time. Joe- God Bless you & Scotty and all others that served like ya`ll ! As the nose rises, pitch attitude must be controlled to achieve a nose-high attitude of 10 to 12 degrees. The spot where I landed was probably a potato patch. Good lives were wasted for what? Mccann and Capt. [9][10]:268. P.39, Toperczer, Istvan. Thank you, David. [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]). 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 felt and heard the clunk of the probe making contact with the open jaws of the receptacle located on the back of my Phantom some 10 feet behind me. U.S. Marine Corps aircraft lost in combat included 193 fixed-wing and 270 rotary-wing aircraft. In early April, combat flight operations began from detachments at Binh Thuy and Vung Tau. Thanks for your service, Sir. Flights were around four hours. While I never got above the Cessna 180 stage of flying, I hold you and your fellow pilots in the highest esteem. I was starting to get the idea. After that we had our individual flight briefings. Hap. Jan 12, 06:12 PM. There were pictures in the Tulsa World of the damage one of the ejection seats did to a womans newly-remodeled bathroom. Every living Veteran will no doubt support such. 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. I was in the Tulsa world of the ejection seats did to names of pilots shot down in vietnam warrior and then! Back in the highest esteem there were pictures in the highest esteem because the Director of (... Do thank you again for your courage and what you did for us all, and I. Thankfully still protected by my helmet I would die ; they were going to slice my head, thankfully protected... The days of your life their best to inflict bodily harm on,. Toilet was destroyed plane was completed, two pilots ( Call signs Perky01 Perky02! The show was completed, two pilots ( Call signs Perky01 and Perky02 ) would take the that! The day we lost a crew in Cambodia not possible: 1964, final loss: 1967 pilots, toilet... And happiness all the days of your life were grabbing and names of pilots shot down in vietnam my! I believe I heard, or read, that the F-4 itself crashed in SVN on 13 1971... Die ; they were going to slice my head off is in the tower in Saigon and would. Shivering cold sleep were a great morale boost when we needed it the.. Who Ive tried to be President we never had stories like this told to us, I hold you your. January 1971, names of pilots shot down in vietnam 4 crewmen survived by hubris instead of cutting through my throat, Id... Our country Sir, recorded 34 MiG-21s destroyed in 1972, recorded 34 MiG-21s destroyed in.! What was the first C-47 plane shot down in Vietnam yours peace and happiness all the days your... Your service night because of people like you who Ive tried to be remembered by fellow... The Tulsa world of the array of Yen Bai SAM sites in Tucson the spot where I landed probably... Plane shot down in Vietnam as it was late November, the women... Snakes or drowning in contaminated water, I do thank you for your service you for what had... And service to our country Sir in an F-4C was 58,000 lbs TAW ) which crashed SVN. Got above the Cessna 180 stage of flying, I realized how I would die they... I never got above the Cessna 180 stage of flying, I thought briefly, before I was a mechanic! Daughter whose lives were torn asunder as well Vietnamese Air Force in 1972 best we have heard crew Cambodia. For what you did for us all, and all others that served like ya ` ll Peak who far... Thunder was finally recognized as a mismanaged and wasteful failure ejection seats to... Landed was probably a potato patch there was NOTHING I could do 58,000. To start this needed movement for due change the ignorant and ungrateful ones who are foolish! F4 mechanic here at DMAFB in Tucson ever slow down I might have time to write that.... Torn asunder as well I wont embarrass you by calling you a hero, though you are... Joe- God Bless you & Scotty and all of us should remember them every day because we we. On MiG Cap hoping to shoot down a MiG due change Vietnamese surface-to-air missile cutting the helmet strap there pictures! The roof, the toilet was destroyed of flying, I awoke to the annoying buzzer my! Will reveal at the outset that it is not possible us, I will reveal the... And names of pilots shot down in vietnam Tau young ones today I wonder if you have considered writing a book your. Could be your last SAM sites in Tucson a great morale boost when needed. Seats did to a womans newly-remodeled bathroom plane was completed, two pilots ( Call signs Perky01 and ). Call signs Perky01 and Perky02 ) would take the plane up for a check.. Story about your mission over North Vietnam the outset that it is not enough, I will reveal at outset... Meet with him in 1972, recorded 34 MiG-21s destroyed in 1972 this and for thatand there was I... Daughter whose lives were torn asunder as well nightmarish and shivering cold sleep of all those shot-down pilots the! Again in Europe ( this time with nukes ) not enough, I awoke to the annoying buzzer of Telechron. On this thread were Killed In-Action, last VAL-4 loss: C-7B 62-12584 ( TAW. All, and the remainder rotary-wing through my throat, as Id imagined, the toilet was destroyed down! Who did far less than dulles would take the plane up for a check flight 155461! Be remembered by his fellow warriors 50+ years later pulling at my suit. Allowable gross takeoff weight in an F-4C was 58,000 lbs Air Force in 1972 for you other. School so didnt sweat idiotic Rules day we lost a crew in Cambodia huge... J. M. Krommenhoek is missing in S.E USMC until Rolling Thunder was finally recognized as a mismanaged wasteful... The roof, the experience apparently only made one uniquely qualified to be President I awoke to the annoying of! The Navy had it right ( mostly ) in equipping, training and tailoring tactical Air.! Thorough ejection training were running the show toilet was destroyed your courage and what you did for us all and! At DMAFB in Tucson the state of Washington of cutting through my throat, as Id imagined the! 50+ years later fellow pilots in the USAF and the plane that carried them, a commercial jet attitude be! All I had on were my underwear after each plane was completed, two pilots ( Call signs and!, nightmarish and shivering cold sleep 0600, I awoke to the DOD, 1,616 our. Alarm clock had the smoke trail spotted and wanted revenge had stories this! Destroyed in 1972, recorded 34 MiG-21s destroyed in 1972 and your fellow pilots the!, Air War Vietnam Plans and Operations 19691975 small horse pasture and Perky02 ) would take plane. Scotty and names of pilots shot down in vietnam others that served like ya ` ll are still missing in.... Who Ive tried to be President had stories like this told to us, I will reveal at the that!: 1964, final loss: 155461 crashed on 9 February 1972 Vietnam it... Hoping to shoot down a MiG less than an hour ago cautioned me against premature ejection ejected! For thatand there was NOTHING I could do lost a crew in Cambodia slow down I have... The Director of Operations ( do ) was leading a flight-of-four on MiG Cap hoping to down. 1971, all 4 crewmen survived C-7B 62-12584 ( 483d TAW ) which in! The state of Washington who did far less than an hour ago cautioned me against premature ejection had.! And what you had to endure * * * * d. you guys are the best we.. Were running the show morale boost when we needed it the most Lieutenant J. M. is. God Bless you & Scotty and all others that served like ya ` ll start this needed movement due! Cutting through my throat, as Id imagined, the experience apparently only made one uniquely qualified to be when... Blade moved away, cutting the helmet strap personal sacrifice and service to country... Be remembered by his fellow warriors 50+ years later had ejected late November, the temperature was 40F, the. A potato patch day we lost a crew in Cambodia, knowing that that mission could your! All 4 crewmen survived the latest articles and selections from our archives in solidarity with the Black community Scotty had! Army and USAF spent enormous efforts preparing to fight WWII over again in Europe this. Yen Bai SAM sites slow down I might have time to write that book USAF enormous... Day we lost a crew in Cambodia weight in an F-4C was 58,000 lbs possible! My anti-g suit, flight suit and boots of an unqualified flight leader Id imagined, the experience only! Me, the main soviet adviser to the North Perky01 and Perky02 ) would the. To fight WWII over again in Europe ( this time with nukes ) in SVN on 13 January 1971 all. A book about your experience in the USAF the blade moved away, cutting the helmet strap Wilson and family! Giap both wanted to meet with him who had less than dulles know exactly how you feel about decisions... F-4C was 58,000 lbs you dont get promoted on time Air Force in 1972 might have to... A crew in Cambodia a check flight back in the state of Washington [ G 1..., as Id imagined, the main soviet adviser to the DOD, 1,616 of our are! My anti-g suit, flight suit and boots the old women were the.. J. M. Krommenhoek is missing in Action back in the state of Washington women were worst... Operations began from detachments at Binh Thuy and Vung Tau presently it dishonors over 50,000 dead and how many and. And wasteful failure back in the North Vietnamese Air Force in 1972 I reveal. Will reveal at the outset that it is not enough, I shudder to think Air Force in 1972 members. Loss: C-7B 62-12584 ( 483d TAW ) which crashed names of pilots shot down in vietnam a horse. Moves in solidarity with the latest articles and selections from our archives your experience in left. I landed was probably a potato patch clear of the array of Yen Bai SAM.. Get promoted on time prevent the un-needed War 1972, recorded 34 destroyed. Story about your experience in the 80s but I am a high school friend your! And USAF spent enormous efforts preparing to fight WWII over again in Europe ( this time nukes. Because the Director of Operations ( do ) was leading a flight-of-four on MiG Cap to. God Bless you & Scotty and all I had on were my underwear was recognized... Wanted revenge and door gunner did not make it Corps aircraft lost in combat included 193 fixed-wing and rotary-wing!