Lundy, Bobbie D., MSgt

MSgt Bobbie D. Lundy was a long-time auto-track radar maintenance man, and a long-time friend of mine.

I first met Bob when we were stationed at Keesler AFB, MS in 1952. Bob had served in the NC National Guard from March 1950 until September 1951. He enlisted for active duty in June 1952 and was sent to Keesler for Electronic training. I was a SSgt, just returned from 18 months in Korea and assigned as permanent party. I was assigned to the ground radar maintenance shop that was responsible for maintaining the equipment used as training devices for the various schools.

Bob was married when he enlisted, and was allowed to live off-base during his schooling. He and I lived in the same apartment complex in Biloxi, which is how I first met him.

According to his service record, Bob departed Keesler in May 1953. I do not know where he was assigned, but his service record shows he was awarded the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal, both of which were only presented during the period 1950-1954. So he must have been in the Korean sector during that time.

I next met Bob at Eglin AFB, FL during the time span 1956-1959. I had returned from a tour in Germany with the 69th Pilotless Bomber Squadron, a Matador missile unit. We were both assigned to the 3208th Test Squadron at Eglin, although we worked at different sites on the ranges. I lived in barracks; Bob lived in housing area,and I visited him quite often.
Bob's record shows that from Eglin, he then went to Detachment 10 of the 12th Radar Bomb Scoring (RBS) Squadron at Richmond, VA. During his tour there, he evidently returned to Keesler to attend the advanced auto-track radar maintenance course. He then returned to Richmond.

His next tour of duty was at Detachment 2, 12th RBS Squadron located in Marrakech, Morroco.
His listing of service record assignments end here on DD 214 and Form 7, but I know he was stationed at Detachment 3 of the 12th RBS Squadron at Statesboro, GA. He left there approximately in 1966 and was assigned to Headquarters, 1st Combat Evaluation Group, located at Barksdale, LA and the parent unit of all RBS Squadrons. I arrived there in 1966 from Headquarters, 10th RBS Squadron at Carswell AFB, TX. Bob and I were assigned to the maintenance office with administrative, inspection, and maintenance duties pertaining to all RBS Detachments.

Headquarters, Department of the Air Force, in conjuction with 7th Air Force in Vietnam, began establishing radar sites to be utilized in ground-directed bombing campaigns in Vietnam. Five were set up in locations within the Republic of Vietnam, two were set up in Thailand, and one - the now famous Lima Site 85 - was located in Northern Laos. An administrative link between these sites and Headquarters 1st Combat Evaluation Group was established as Detachment 15 located in Gia Dinh, Republic of Vietnam.

In 1967, I was offered the position of NCOIC, Detachment 15, as chief of maintenance to oversee maintenance efforts at all the Southeast Asia detachments. Bob was assigned to Detachment 15, at my request and with his agreement, as my assistant in this task.
Two of the sites in Vietnam came under attack by the enemy, as did Detachment 15. On 24 February 1968, Detachment 15 was attacked by North Vietnamese regulars and elements of the Viet Cong. One airman, TSgt Lowell Smith, was killed and 4 others, myself included, were wounded. Bob sustained shrapnel wounds in the back, lower torso, and severe burns on the legs.

Medically evacuated, he was shipped to the U.S. and when released from the hospital, was assigned to Detachment 3, 12th RBS Squadron at Statesboro, GA. When I was released from the hospital, I was stationed at a ground radar site in Aiken, SC, not far from Statesboro. I visited Bob on several occasions. He was still serving there when he retired from active duty in grade of MSgt on 31 July 1972 with a total of approximately 22 years of service.

He returned to his home state of NC, and I served in SC until 1973 when I was assigned to a radar site in MT. After a year, 1 May 1974, I retired and returned to SC. Bob and I kept in touch. In later life, Bob developed severe medical problems and finally passed away on 29 June 2002.

"Rest well, dear friend. You are not forgotten."

Donald C. Skinner, CMS, USAF (Ret)

I have attempted to accurately portray MSgt Lundy's career and assignments as best I could, given the sparse data I have been able to collect. Needless to say, updates will be entered as new data or confirming data is uncovered.

NOTE: Info found and added June 24, 2015:

Bobbie Duncan Lundy was born on October 29, 1932 in Raeford, Noth Carolina. His parents were Allen J. Lundy and Mimzy Peary Graham Lundy.
He had one brother, and one sister.

He is buried in the Raeford Cemetery in Raeford, North Carolina.

     Citation To Accompany the Award of the Bronze Star Medal

Lundy distinguished himself by meritorious service as a non-commissioned officer in charge,. Maintenance, Detachment 15, 1st Combat Evaluation Group, Republic of Vietman, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in ground operations against an opposing armed force from Sept. 12, 1967 to March 12, 1968.
"During this period, Sgt. Lundy displayed outstanding technical knowledge and supervisory ability which contributed materially to the success of the unit mission of providing Ground Directed Bombing Radar capability in Southeast Asia.  The exemplary leadership, personal endeavor, and devotion to duty displayed by Sgt. Lundy in this responsible position reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."
Lundy is the son of Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Lundy of Raeford. His wife, the former Kathleen Jackson, and two sons, Lawrence and Allen, live in Raeford also.