Criteria The Air Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service while partic... The Air Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service while participating in aerial flight, but not of a degree that would justify an award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. MoreHide
Chain of Command
TIME PERIOD HISTORICAL FACTS June 1 1969 ? Activation of the 17th Special Operations Squadron (SOS) replacing the 71st SOS which departed South Vietnam on June 5, 1969 and deactivated on June 18, 1969 at Bakalar AFB, Indiana. The 17th SOS absorbed approximately 65% of the 71st SOS personnel. ? Eighteen (18) AC-119G Shadow Gunships In-Country. ? 17th SOS Commander ? Lt. Col. Richard E. Knie ? Commander of A-Flight at Nha Trang ? Lt. Col. Russell A. O?Connell June 31 1969 Deployment of AC-119G Shadow Gunships even though 14th Combat Support Group Special Order P103, dated 23 July 1969 shows that A- Flight was ordered to relocate from Nha Trang to Tuy Hoa with an effective relocation date of August 3, 1969. A-Flight, Tuy Hoa Air Base - 4 B-Flight, Phan Rang AB - 7 C-Flight, Tan Son Nhut AB - 5 October 11 1969 First AC-119G Aircraft Loss in the crash of Shadow 76 at Tan Son Nhut Air Base. Five of eight crewmembers killed. An USAF photographer from the 600th Photo Squadron was also onboard and was killed. April 13 1970 A-Flight at Tuy Hoa was ordered to relocate to Phu Cat by a 35th Tactical Fighter Wing Special Order AB-2777. Effective date: April 12, 1970. The move was made on the 12th. (SOP) April 28 1970 Second AC-119G Aircraft Loss in the crash of Shadow 78 at Tan Son Nhut Air Base. Six crewmembers killed. Two survivors. May 1 1970 Cambodia Incursion supported at night by AC-119 Gunships. June 1970 Deployment of AC-119 Shadow Gunships: A-Flight, Phu Cat Air Base - 5 B-Flight, Phan Rang AB - 6 C-Flight, Tan Son Nhut - 5 August 1 1970 Daylight Missions start for Shadow Gunships in Cambodia. October 10 1970 17th SOS relocated some Shadow and Stinger Gunships to Tan Son Nhut from Phu Cat and Phan Rang to meet operational demands in Cambodia. Dec29 1970 A-Flight at Phu Cat deactivated. Personnel and aircraft assigned to B- Flight at Phan Rang. Dec 29 1970 Deployment of AC-119 Shadow Gunships: B-Flight, Phan Rang AB - 7 C-Flight, Tan Son Nhut - 9 Sept 10 1971 Last combat mission flown by C-Flight at Tan Son Nhut by USAF Shadow Gunship with C-Flight Commander, Lt. Col. James James as aircraft commander. Fighting C-Flight gunships and support at Tan Son Nhut turned over to the South Vietnam Air Force (VNAF) 819th Combat Squadron. Black Dragon replaced Shadow as radio call sign. Sept 24 1971 Inactivation of 17th Special Operations Squadron and the 14th Special Operations Wing at Phan Rang. Another recorded inactivation date for the 14th SOW is 30 September 1971.
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
Comments
Died in Air Loss,Crash Landing from coming in from a mission.
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 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
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
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 Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of Sout... The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of South Vietnam. The actions cited are for the same services that would have resulted in the award of a Valorous Unit Citation by the Army or a Navy Unit Citation. MoreHide
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
Description This period was from February 23-June 8, 1969.
On February 23. 1969. the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese launched mortar and rocket attacks on Saigon, Da Nang, Hue. Bien Hoa Air Base, and other key tarThis period was from February 23-June 8, 1969.
On February 23. 1969. the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese launched mortar and rocket attacks on Saigon, Da Nang, Hue. Bien Hoa Air Base, and other key targets throughout South Vietnam. In this offensive. Communist forces relied heavily on the use of stand-off fire- power in hit-and-run attacks, since, in the previous year’s offensives. Allied ground operations and air interdiction efforts had countered the Communists‘ logistical capacity to wage conventional battles. By March 30 the Allies had blunted the hit-and-run attacks. and the enemy withdrew into Cambodian and Laotian sanctuaries to restock their munitions and weapons inventories.
Later in the spring. on May 12. the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese launched a second phase. consisting of more than 200 attacks in South Vietnam, the heaviest assault since the 1968 Tet Offensive. An intense battle in the A Shau Valley required USAF close air support and tactical airlift of supplies and reinforcements until May 20, when the U.S. Army captured Ap Bia Mountain, thus enabling Allied aircraft to land in the A Shau Valley without receiving mortar fire. Another significant battle occurred at Ben Het Defense Camp, located about 260 miles northeast of Saigon, where the Cambodian/Laotian borders join the boundary of South Vietnam. Here, the USAF employed AC-47 and AC-I19 gunships at night and tactical air and B-52 strikes during the day in support of the defenders. Fighter aircraft laid down suppressive fire to permit C-7s to drop supplies to the besieged forces. By the end of June the Allies had forced the enemy's withdrawal.
Throughout this campaign, the USAF joined the Vietnamese Air Force and the other U.S. services in close air support of Allied forces throughout South Vietnam and in a continuing interdiction campaign. COMMANDO HUNT I, along South Vietnam's borders with Laos and Cambodia. In Laos Air Force pilots joined Navy aviators to hit targets along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, where North Vietnam. no longer having to protect its lines of communication and storage areas north of the demilitarized zone, had shifted more antiaircraft defenses. The USAF consequently relied heavily on high-flying B-52s and such fast tactical aircraft as F-4s and F-105: for most missions over the trail. AC-130 gunships, though flying less than 4 percent of the missions in Laos, nevertheless accounted in the spring of 1969 for 44 percent of the trucks claimed damaged or destroyed.
In northeastern Laos AC-47 gunships provided close air support to Royal Laotian and irregular forces battling North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao troops. On March 2. 1969. the Royal Laotian forces abandoned Na Khang under cover of USAF aircraft. Then on the 12th the USAF deployed AC-47s to Udorn, a Royal Thai Air Force Base 40 miles south of Vientiane, Laos, to defend forward Royal Laotian air bases. The USAF and the Royal Laotian Air Force on March 23 began a new Laotian counteroffensive with air attacks on targets in the Xiangkhoang area of the Plain of Jars, 100 miles northeast of Vientiane. Two weeks later, on April 7, Laotian troops entered Xiangkhoang virtually unopposed. With Laotian positions temporarily safe. the USAF AC-47s returned to South Vietnam on June 9.
American involvement in Southeast Asia expanded on March 18. 1969, when the United States began B-52 night attacks on Communist sanctuaries in Cambodia. About the same time, however, the U.S. began to reequip South Vietnam's forces in preparation for eventual withdrawal of all American forces. On April 19 the U.S. transferred to the VNAF its first jet aircraft. Shortly afterwards, on June 8, President Richard M. Nixon announced that during July and August 1969 the United States would withdraw 25.000 of its 540,000 troops in South Vietnam, even though no progress had been made in the Paris peace talks.... More
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 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
TIME PERIOD HISTORICAL FACTS June 1 1969 ? Activation of the 17th Special Operations Squadron (SOS) replacing the 71st SOS which departed South Vietnam on June 5, 1969 and deactivated on June 18, 1969 at Bakalar AFB, Indiana. The 17th SOS absorbed approximately 65% of the 71st SOS personnel. ? Eighteen (18) AC-119G Shadow Gunships In-Country. ? 17th SOS Commander ? Lt. Col. Richard E. Knie ? Commander of A-Flight at Nha Trang ? Lt. Col. Russell A. O?Connell June 31 1969 Deployment of AC-119G Shadow Gunships even though 14th Combat Support Group Special Order P103, dated 23 July 1969 shows that A- Flight was ordered to relocate from Nha Trang to Tuy Hoa with an effective relocation date of August 3, 1969. A-Flight, Tuy Hoa Air Base - 4 B-Flight, Phan Rang AB - 7 C-Flight, Tan Son Nhut AB - 5 October 11 1969 First AC-119G Aircraft Loss in the crash of Shadow 76 at Tan Son Nhut Air Base. Five of eight crewmembers killed. An USAF photographer from the 600th Photo Squadron was also onboard and was killed. April 13 1970 A-Flight at Tuy Hoa was ordered to relocate to Phu Cat by a 35th Tactical Fighter Wing Special Order AB-2777. Effective date: April 12, 1970. The move was made on the 12th. (SOP) April 28 1970 Second AC-119G Aircraft Loss in the crash of Shadow 78 at Tan Son Nhut Air Base. Six crewmembers killed. Two survivors. May 1 1970 Cambodia Incursion supported at night by AC-119 Gunships. June 1970 Deployment of AC-119 Shadow Gunships: A-Flight, Phu Cat Air Base - 5 B-Flight, Phan Rang AB - 6 C-Flight, Tan Son Nhut - 5 August 1 1970 Daylight Missions start for Shadow Gunships in Cambodia. October 10 1970 17th SOS relocated some Shadow and Stinger Gunships to Tan Son Nhut from Phu Cat and Phan Rang to meet operational demands in Cambodia. Dec29 1970 A-Flight at Phu Cat deactivated. Personnel and aircraft assigned to B- Flight at Phan Rang. Dec 29 1970 Deployment of AC-119 Shadow Gunships: B-Flight, Phan Rang AB - 7 C-Flight, Tan Son Nhut - 9 Sept 10 1971 Last combat mission flown by C-Flight at Tan Son Nhut by USAF Shadow Gunship with C-Flight Commander, Lt. Col. James James as aircraft commander. Fighting C-Flight gunships and support at Tan Son Nhut turned over to the South Vietnam Air Force (VNAF) 819th Combat Squadron. Black Dragon replaced Shadow as radio call sign. Sept 24 1971 Inactivation of 17th Special Operations Squadron and the 14th Special Operations Wing at Phan Rang. Another recorded inactivation date for the 14th SOW is 30 September 1971.