Best Friends
I do not remember all the people that I considered as friends, most were the people that I worked with Daily.
Best Moment
Passing the 7 level test, which opened the prospect of being Promoted
Worst Moment
Finding out that I would be going TDY to Iceland Nov.1968 Dec.1968 Jan.1969, This was to be my first Christmas in three years to be with my Family, now we would be seperated again.
Other Memories
Being told to write a bad report on one of my suborinates, for his bad behavior while he was off duty. This was one of the hardest things that I ever had to do.
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Comments
I received this award for serving our Country during the Vietnam War
Criteria It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Long... It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Longevity Service Award is a ribbon that replaces the Federal Service Stripes previously worn on the uniform. MoreHide
Comments
Third award, I received this award three times, once for every 4 years served
Criteria It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Long... It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Longevity Service Award is a ribbon that replaces the Federal Service Stripes previously worn on the uniform. MoreHide
Criteria The United States Air Force awards a single ribbon, known as the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, for an expert qualification on either the M-16 rifle, M-4 carbine or the individuals AFSC's (dut... The United States Air Force awards a single ribbon, known as the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, for an expert qualification on either the M-16 rifle, M-4 carbine or the individuals AFSC's (duty) designated handgun weapon. The ribbon is issued in only one degree; however, a bronze service star may be worn on the ribbon for those who have qualified expert on both the service rifle and handgun. MoreHide
Best Friends
T/ SGT John M. Sjoquist, SM/SGT Don W. Storm, M/SGT William J Kerr, T/SGT Young G. Hoyt, T/SGT Howard Huggins, T/SGT Nikki A. Davis, S/SGT Paul R.Boring, S/SGT Walter L. Forbus JR., S/SGT David B. Fries
Worst Moment
Having to fill out a bad APR on one of my Airmen, who was not bad,and a very good worker, but got caught using pot, and got an article 15.
Other Memories
When I was first stationed at Otis AFB, I was assigned to the The Aero Repair Section. My first and lasting job while there was Aircraft Crash and Recovery. I remember going out to pick up a F-102 Delta Dagger that crashed about a mile off the end of the runway. They wanted the aircraft bought back as it was , so we loaded it unto a flat bed trailer and bought it back to the base. I was the driver of the truck hauling the Aircraft, we had to stop numerous times to cut down trees to clear the wings. The ground was soft and it was a task to get the truck moving again, we finally got the plane back to the base, had to stop so they could remove the fence, when I started up again the truck was having trouble moving as the clutch had burned up with hauling the Plane and all the stopping and starting up, but I did manage to get the Aircraft to a hanger. We went out many times to recover crashed aircraft, and it was difficult getting that 40 foot trailer through the narrow streets in the many small towns of Massachuestts, By the time I left the service at Otis AFB I was the night shift NCOIC of the Aero repair section.
Description This period was from March 9, 1967-March 31, 1968. On March 10, 1967. Seventh Air Force F-105s and F-4s bombed a new target. the Thai Nguyen iron and steel plant. 30 miles north of Hanoi. The Rou.mo TThis period was from March 9, 1967-March 31, 1968. On March 10, 1967. Seventh Air Force F-105s and F-4s bombed a new target. the Thai Nguyen iron and steel plant. 30 miles north of Hanoi. The Rou.mo Tnuuoaa bombing campaign continued with strikes against bridges. petroleum storage. cement plants. and power transformer stations near Hanoi. USAF and naval aircraft also conducted armed reconnaissance over most of North Vietnam. Missions against major supply routes from China targeted railroad yards. repair facilities. bridges. and support areas. Early in August 1967 American air attacks against the Paul Doutner Bridge in I-lanoi knocked out the center span. Poor weather in the first 3 months of I968 forced U.S. aircraft to rely almost exclusively on all-weather bombing techniques in North Vietnam; nevertheless. the Paul Doumer Bridge remained unusable most of the time. While overland routes might be interdicted. Haiphong harbor and docks still remained off limits to U.S.
pilots. A continuous flow of supplies moved through the port from the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union, which largely
offset North Vietnam's losses.
U.S. aircraft used electronic countermeasures and other techniques to limit the effectiveness of North Vietnam's antiaircraft defenses. North Vietnamese forces fired 55 SAM: on the average for each U.S. aircraft destroyed. To reduce the threat of a resurgent North Vietnamese Air Force. in April 1967 the United States bombed MiG bases. destroying several jet aircraft on the ground. In aerial combat during the first 6 months of 1967 (primarily in April. May. and June). U.S. pilots destroyed 54 MiGs while losing ll aircraft. But between August 1967 and February 1968. the United States lost l8 aircraft to MiGs while destroying only 5 enemy aircraft. On January 14, 1968. two MiGs shot down an EB-66 that was jamming enemy radars from an orbit 90 miles from Hanoi. The USAF subsequently used the vulnerable EB-66s in already established orbits over Laos and the Gulf of Tonkin. accepting degradation of jamming to lessen the risks of aerial interception.
On April 6, 1967. the North Vietnam Anny and Viet Cong forces attacked Quang Tri. the northemmost provincial capital. 20 miles south of the demilitarized zone. To counter the offensive. on May 18 South Vietnamese and U.S. troops entered the DMZ for the first time. USAF B-52s. tactical air forces. and naval and army artillery strikes combined with Allied ground forces to destroy temporarily NVA strength in the zone. The NVA then shifted its artillery positions north of the DMZ. rebuilt its forces in the area. and on September l renewed attacks on the U.S. Marine base at Con 11tien. Immediately South of the DMZ. With forward air controllers pinpointing artillery and other targets, the USAF began an aerial attempt to destroy enemy positions. and by October 4 the North Vietnam Anny had been forced to withdraw once again.
Shortly afterward. in November 1967, U.S. forces conducting search and destroy operations in the Central Highlands encountered strong Viet Cong resistance near Dalt To. I5 miles east of the border junction between Laos. Cambodia. and the Republic of Vietnam. Tactical aircraft and B-52s provided close air support while USAF C-130s flew supplies and reinforcements to the Dak To airstrip. U.S. air-power inflicted heavy casualties. and the enemy withdrew on November 24.
In the Laotian part of the conflict. during the summer of 1967, Seventh Air Force provided extensive air support to Laotian troops battling the Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese forces on the Plain of Jars near Luang Prabang. The I-lo Chi Minh Trail in the Laotian panhandle also came under constant attack. Between December 1967 and February 1968. Seventh Air Force pilots flew over 20.000 sorties against transportation lines in Laos and claimed destruction of more than 3.000 trucks. But the Communists continued to build up forces in Laos and Cambodia in preparation for a major offensive that began on January 21. 1968. when the NVA surrounded and laid siege to Khe Sanh. a U.S. Marine base in a valley 7 miles east of the Laotian border and 15 miles south of the demilitarized zone.... More
People You Remember During this operation our Aircraft A-1Es flew air cover for the jolly green giants to recover downedDuring this operation our Aircraft A-1Es flew air cover for the jolly green giants to recover downed pilots, we lost aircraft and pilots and it was trying times for our pilots and ground crew chiefs.... More
Best Friends
S/SGT Willard (Bill) Cox, room mate S/SGT Shaffer, there were many others that we hung out with from our Squadron, and others that worked on our aircraft, such as Engine and armament people that we had direct contact with.
Best Moment
Just being with and working with all the great Airmen in the first Air Commando Squadron, and all the support personell stationed at Pleiku Air Base, Many of these great people went with us when we went to the secret war in Thailand at Nakom Phanom Royal Thailand Air Base. also known as naked fanny.
Worst Moment
There were many worst moments, most were during mortar attacks, or 122 Rockets coming into the air Base, we spent many a night in our bunkers, or our assigned bunkers with our weapons and ammo ready to repell attackers, these were scary times, and when we knew that we were in a war zone, and lives were at stake. Each and every one of us were ready at all times to defend ourselfs and our fellow Airmen.
Chain of Command
Great Chain of command from our Senior Officers down to the lowest of Airmen, Great Sargents, looking out for us, and helping us to do our assigned duties.
Other Memories
At times not being able to tell our loved ones, where we were or what we were doing, because of the secret missions that were being performed in all of South East Asia.
Criteria The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or aft... The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after December 7, 1941. MoreHide
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Comments
This was awarded for my Vietnam service, the One star was for more than one time award, it was for being in two different theaters of action
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical l... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces; or 3. Did not complete the length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during wartime, were: a. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released; or c. Killed in action or in the line of duty; or 4. Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. MoreHide
Best Friends
Lt Col Rose and Lt Col Calhoon were Squadron Commanders, M/SGT Powell was the NCOIC, These are the people that I remember from the C-47 and C-123 Flight Line, T/SGT Wunchell, S/sgt Ressler, S/SGT Woznicki, S/Sgt Thomas, A/1CWeaver, A/1C Gillian, A3C Lopez
Best Moment
Arriving at the Base, and having family living nearby (Sister) living in Roanoke, and a Brother stationed at the Norfolk Navel Base, Being Promoted to S/SGT on 21 June 1966, Being assigned Crew Chief on C-47 Tail Number 43-49688
Worst Moment
Being told by my Commander, that because I would not buy a war bond that he would ship me out. I did not buy one and he shipped me to Vietnam. Was only there 11 Month's, At this time I was working on the Average of 17 hours Daily, My aircraft flew a currior flight to Washington DC twice a day. On weekends the reserve pilots would come out to get their fly time in and would be gone most of the day, I had to wait for them to return so I could get my aircraft ready for the next day. While waiting for my Aircraft to return I had to work on the C-123 spray planes.
Chain of Command
Lousy Chain of Command in 1966
Other Memories
Enjoyed the NCO club and the fine food served there
Criteria It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Long... It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Longevity Service Award is a ribbon that replaces the Federal Service Stripes previously worn on the uniform. MoreHide
Criteria The United States Air Force awards a single ribbon, known as the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, for an expert qualification on either the M-16 rifle, M-4 carbine or the individuals AFSC's (dut... The United States Air Force awards a single ribbon, known as the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, for an expert qualification on either the M-16 rifle, M-4 carbine or the individuals AFSC's (duty) designated handgun weapon. The ribbon is issued in only one degree; however, a bronze service star may be worn on the ribbon for those who have qualified expert on both the service rifle and handgun. MoreHide
Comments
I received this ribbon while stationed at Clark AFB Philippines for firing Expert with the M-16 rifle, it was easier to fire than the 30 Cal. rifle, but did not have the knock down power
Criteria The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of conti... The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of continuous enlisted active service (normally three years in peacetime). MoreHide
Comments
First good conduct award, Next two were Air Force Awards
Criteria It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Long... It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Longevity Service Award is a ribbon that replaces the Federal Service Stripes previously worn on the uniform. MoreHide
Best Friends
These are some of the great people that I served with in Izmire Turkey 1958 to 1960. A/1C Valantin Wever, A/2C Charles Parrish, A/2C Allen Sisco, M/SGT James Duncan, M/SGT Robert Coughlin, S/SGT Ray Long, S/SGT Shelly Moore, S/Sgt Frank Spychala, A/1C Wallace Martin, S/SGT Carroll Lindsey, A/3C James Dacy, A/3C Dale Lineback, A/2C Bradley Osgood, A/3C Richard Melencio ( we shared the same Apartment ), A/3C Jack St.Pierre, A/3c Michael Boglarsky, A/2C Riley Wineinger, A3C James Dacy, A/3C Robert Johnson, A/3C Thomas Mansker ( we shared the same Apartment ), A/3C James Talmage ( we shared the same Apartment ), A/1C Chester Ciuba ( good Friend met him in New York while stationed at Stewart AFB. )
Best Moment
Passing the 5 level test, on 14 July 1958, and being awarded control AFSC-43151A, and being promoted to A/2C on 1 December 1959.
Worst Moment
Having to see one of uor own airmen sent to a Turkish Jail.
Best Friends
only Memory from here was waiting for a month to start school and pulling KP for 30 days straight
Worst Moment
Was when they called us down to supply and made us turn our army OD uniforms and reissued Air Force Blue. I did not care for the Air Force blues after wearing the Army uniform.
I do not remember all the people that I considered as friends, most were the people that I worked with Daily.
Passing the 7 level test, which opened the prospect of being Promoted
Finding out that I would be going TDY to Iceland Nov.1968 Dec.1968 Jan.1969, This was to be my first Christmas in three years to be with my Family, now we would be seperated again.
Being told to write a bad report on one of my suborinates, for his bad behavior while he was off duty. This was one of the hardest things that I ever had to do.