This Military Service Page was created/owned by
A3C Michael S. Bell (Unit Historian)
to remember
Amos, Thomas Hugh, Maj.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Republic, MO
Last Address Da Nang AB
Casualty Date Apr 20, 1972
Cause MIA-Finding of Death
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Land
Location Quang Tri (Vietnam)
Conflict Vietnam War
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
The United States beefed up its deployable forces in response to the Spring Offensive, particularly its air assets. The 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron, part of the 3rd TFW based at Kunsan AB, South Korea, was sent to Danang on 03 April 1972. For obvious reasons, the 35th's aircrews were integrated with the combat experienced aircrews from the 366th TFW's F-4 squadrons until the 35th learned the lay of the land. One such mission was flown on the night of 19/20 April, when Captain Thomas A. Amos of the 35th TFS teamed with Captain Mason I. Burnham of the 421st TFS to fly a mission in support of an AC-130 strike. The two men were in a 421st TFS F-4D, tail number 65-0602.
The mission area was in the SVN/Laotian border area about 15 miles west of Kham Duc. The AC-130 crew identified a suitable target for the F-4, which then called in on the target. The AC-130 crewmen saw a large fireball on the ground and could not raise the F-4 by radio. Although search-and-rescue efforts continued for three days, neither crew nor wreckage were located.
Comments/Citation
Major Thomas H. Amos was Missing In Action since 1972.
His F-4D Phantom was shot down while escorting an AC-130 on 20 April, 1972 near the Laos/Vietnam border.
An accidental discovery by locals in 1989 led to the recovery of Major Amos's dog tags and partial remains. These were returned and buried on Saturday November 6, 1999 in Springfield Missouri with full military honors.
In the spring of 2000, the remaining remains, along with those of his F-4D back seater, Mason I. Burnham, will be sent to Arlington National Cemetery for burial.
Completing the circle of the POW/MIA bracelet, I returned mine to his daughter at the funeral for a true American Hero.
