Last Known Activity:
On the first day of Operation Delaware, a C-130B (#60-0298) from the 463rd Tactical Airlift Wing was badly damaged by ground fire. Major Lilburn Stow was attempting to land in a field near the air field when he saw it was occupied by US Army troops picking up cargo. He pulled up and the airplane struck trees and crashed, killing all aboard. Major Donald Strobaugh, commander of the 8th APG CCT, ran to the wreckage to search for survivors. He was awarded the Airman's Medal for his efforts."
On 26 April 1968, Major Lilburn R. Stow, pilot; Major John L McDaniel, pilot; and Sgt. Larry R. Todd, loadmaster; were three members of an eight-man aircrew of a C-130B that was conducting an emergency resupply mission for American and allied ground personnel who were operating in the infamous A Shau Valley, Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam. (A Loi). The A Luoi Airfield was located in the northern portion of the A Shau Valley.
Upon arriving in the area, Major Stow established radio contact with A Luoi Airfield's ground control for landing instructions. Once cleared in, the Herc made its approach and was struck by heavy, accurate enemy 37mm anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) fire. The seriously damaged Herc attempted to land, but crashed into the runway and scattered flaming wreckage along its path.
When the wreckage cooled sufficiently, search and rescue (SAR) personnel were able to locate and recover the bodies of 5 of the 8 men on board. They were unable to find any trace of either pilot or the aircraft's loadmaster.
At the time the formal search was terminated, Lilburn Stow, John McDaniel and Larry Todd were declared Killed in Action/Body Not Recovered. Memorial at: Fort Gibson National Cemetery, Fort Gibson, Muskogee County, Oklahoma, Plot: MA, 0, 3.
Crewmen killed in the incident:
Maj Lilburn R Stow (BNR)
Capt James J McKinstry
Maj John L McDaniel (BNR)
TSgt Russell R Fyan (600th Photo Sq.)
SSgt Beryl S Blaylock
Sgt Daniel J O'Connor (600th Photo Sq.)
Sgt Larry R Todd (BNR)
A1C Kenneth L Johnson
This Veteran has an (IMO) In Memory Of Headstone in Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial, Hawaii as well as one in Fort Gibson National Cemetery, Fort Gibson, Muskogee County, Oklahoma, Plot: MA, 0, 3.
Source:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=1227678
http://www.taskforceomegainc.org/s437.html
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