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 Titan II was an Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and space launcher developed by the Glenn L. Martin Company from the earlier Titan I missile. The Martin company received a contract for the new missile, designated SM-68B Titan II, in June 1960. The Titan II used storable propellants, Aerozine 50 and dinitrogen tetroxide. Use of storable propellants enabled the Titan II to be launched within 60 seconds directly from within its silo. The first flight of the Titan II was in December 1961 and the missile, now designated LGM-25C, reached initial operating capability in October 1963.
The Titan II was in service from 1963. After two accidents, deactivation of the Titan II ICBM system finally began in July 1982. The last operational Titan II missile was deactivated on May 5, 1987.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
General Information Developed by USA Deployed by USA Development Year 1960 Deployment Year 1963 Retirement Year 1987 Number manufactured 135 Number deployed 49(in 1982) Contractor Martin Marietta
Dimensions and Performance Length 31.3m Body Diameter 3.05m(1st. 2nd. stage) Launch Weight 149,700kg Range 15,000km Accuracy 900m CEP
Components Propulsion 2-stage liquid Payload single warhead Mk 6 RV+penetration aids Warhead W-53 9.0MT nuclear Guidance inertial