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
General characteristics
* Crew: 3 * Length: 75 ft 2 in (22.9 m) * Wingspan: 72 ft 6 in (22.1 m) * Height: 23 ft 7 in (7.2 m) * Wing area: 780 ft² (72.5 m²) * Empty weight: 42,540 lb (19,300 kg) * Loaded weight: 57,800 lb (26,200 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 83,000 lb (38,000 kg) * Powerplant: 2× Allison J71-A-11 or -13 turbojets, 10,200 lbf (45 kN) each
Performance
* Maximum speed: 631 mph (548 kn, 1,020 km/h) * Combat radius: 900 mi (780 NM, 1,500 km) * Ferry range: 2,470 mi (2,150 NM, 3,970 km) * Service ceiling 39,400 ft (12,000 m) * Rate of climb: 5,000 ft/min (25 m/s) * Wing loading: 74.1 lb/ft² (361.4 kg/m²) * Thrust/weight: 0.35
Armament
* Guns: 2× 20 mm (0.787 in) cannon in radar/remotely operated tail turret * Bombs: 15,000 lb (6,800 kg)
