This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Hambleton, Iceal Eugene, Lt Col USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Wenona, Illinois
Last Address Tucson, Arizona
Date of Passing Sep 19, 2004
Location of Interment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery (VA) - Elwood, Illinois
Wall/Plot Coordinates Section C2-34, Row C, Site 8
He was an EWO on an EB-66 that was shotown by a SAM over northern South Vietnam. He was the only crewmember who survived the shootdown. He was also a missile expert with a top secret clearance so a huge effort was mounted to rescue him before he was captured by the enemy. It was the largest and most costly search and rescue operation of the Vietnam War. Eleven airmen were killed and 2 were captured during the rescue effort.
Aircraft/Missile Information
The Martin B-68 Titan took over the designation after the Martin XB-68 bomber project was canceled. · The B-68 Titan I was redesignated SM-68 and later changed to HGM-25A. · The Titan II was reassigned the LGM-25C designation. · First launch of a SM-68 Titan I was Feb. 6, 1959 · The Titan I is easily distinguished from the Titan II by noting the Titan I has a smaller diameter upper stage (the Titan II is constant diameter first and second stages). The Titan III and IV series rockets have two solid propellant strap-on first stage boosters.
SPECIFICATIONS: Length: 103 ft. (ICBM configuration); first stage length 70 ft. Diameter: 10 ft. (first and second stages - ICBM configuration) Weight: 270,000 lbs. at launch Armament: General Electric Mk. 6 Nuclear warhead Engines: First stage powered by Aerojet LR87-AJ-5 two chamber liquid propellant rocket of 430,000 lbs. thrust fueled by Aerozine-50 (fuel) that ignites on contact with nitrogen tetroxide (oxidizer); second stage of ICBM configuration powered by Aerojet-General LR91-AJ-5 rocket engine of 100,000 lbs. thrust Crew: None
PERFORMANCE (ICBM configuration): Maximum speed: 15,000 mph / 13,904 knots Maximum range: Approx. 10,000 statute miles / 8,700 nautical miles Maximum altitude: 700 statute miles / 610 nautical miles