This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Hatcher, David Burnnet, Lt Col USAF(Ret).
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Mount Airy, North Carolina
Last Address Mount Airy, North Carolina
Date of Passing May 12, 2019
Location of Interment Oakdale Cemetery - Mount Airy, North Carolina
He was shot down over North Vietnam on May 30, 1966. He was captured the next day and spent 2,451 days in captivity. He retired from the USAF Mar 1, 1974.
His Silver Star Citation
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 David Burnett Hatcher (AFSN: AD-14519547), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 1 June 1966 to 8 June 1966. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. This individual 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
Model North American F-100D Super Sabre Length 49.51 ft | 15.09 m Width 38.75 ft | 11.81 m Height 16.24 ft | 4.95 m Engine(s) 1 x Pratt & Whitney J 57-P21 turbojet with afterburning generating 17,000lbs of thrust. Empty Weight 20,999 lbs | 9,525 kg MTOW 34,833 lbs | 15,800 kg Max Speed 864 mph | 1,390 km/h | 751 kts Max Range 1,995 miles | 3,210 km Ceiling 45,000 ft | 13,716 m | 8.5 miles Climb Rate 16,000 ft/min (4,877 m/min) Hardpoints 6 Armament 4 x 20mm cannons
External hardpoints for an additional 7,500lbs of ordnance including: Dumb Bombs, Drop Tanks and Rocket Pods. Accommodations 1
Major Variants * F-100A - Initial Production Model * F-100B - Proposed Mach 2 / nuclear-capable fighter-bomber; would go on to become the YF-107 prototype series. * F-100C - Fighter-Bomber Variant with improvements; inflight refueling capability; more powerful engine. * F-100D - Fighter-Bomber Variant with improvements; fitted with ECm equipment and low-altitude bombing system.
