This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Stockman, Hervey Studdiford, Col USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Andover, New Jersey
Last Address Albuquerque, New Mexico
Date of Passing Feb 23, 2011
Location of Interment Santa Fe National Cemetery (VA) - Santa Fe, New Mexico
He was a P-51 pilot in WWII and was credited with destroying 2 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. Later he flew several types of aircraft, including U-2's in secret missions over the USSR. He was a POW in North Vietnam for 2,093 days before his release Mar 4, 1973. He retired from the Air Force Dec 31, 1978.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Hervey Studdiford Stockman (AFSN: AO-691195/FR-50436), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F4C Aircraft Commander of the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, in action over Southeast Asia, on 11 June 1967. On that date, Colonel Stockman successfully protected five flights of F-105 aircraft from hostile attack while they were delivering ordnance on an important military target in this dangerous and highly defended area. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Stockman has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel Hervey Studdiford Stockman (AFSN: AO-691195/FR-50436), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 11 June 1967, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Colonel Stockman resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Aircraft/Missile Information
General characteristics
* Crew: 1 * Length: 32 ft 3 in (9.83 m) * Wingspan: 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m) * Height: 13 ft 8 in (4.17 m) * Wing area: 235 ft� (21.83 m�) * Empty weight: 7,635 lb (3,465 kg) * Loaded weight: 9,200 lb (4,175 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 12,100 lb (5,490 kg) * Powerplant: 1� Packard Merlin V-1650-7 liquid-cooled supercharged V-12, 1,695 hp (1,265 kW) * Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0163 * Drag area: 3.80 ft� (0.35 m�) * Aspect ratio: 5.83
Performance
* Maximum speed: 437 mph (703 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7,620 m) * Cruise speed: 362 mph (580 km/h) * Stall speed: 100 mph (160 km/h) * Range: 1,650 mi (2,755 km) with external tanks * Service ceiling 41,900 ft (12,770 m) * Rate of climb: 3,200 ft/min (16.3 m/s) * Wing loading: 39 lb/ft� (192 kg/m�) * Power/mass: 0.18 hp/lb (300 W/kg) * Lift-to-drag ratio: 14.6 * Recommended Mach limit 0.8
Armament
* 6 � 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns; 400 rounds per gun for the two inboard guns; 270 per outboard gun * 2 hardpoints for up to 2,000 lb (907 kg) * 10 � 5 in (127 mm) rockets
Specifications
* A-36A Apache - Dive bomber (US Army) * F-6 - US Army offshoots model * F-6A - US Army offshoots model * F-6C - Reconnaissance variant * P-51A - More powerful powerplant; 4 x machine guns. * P-51B - 4 x machine guns; Original and bubble canopy. * P-51C - 4 x machine guns; Original and bubble canopy. * P-51D - Classic variant; most produced. * P-51H - Lighter airframe version * P-51K - Featuring an Aeroproducts propeller. * F-51 - Redesignated to "Fighter" in the new jet fighter age. * F-6K - Reconnaissance version of P-51K