Feuz, Paul, MSgt

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE AIR FORCE?
The Vietnam War, The Draft, and Respect/Honor to Serve.

"Interview with Mr. Paul M. Feuz, May 21, 2005. Conducted by Tori S. Pagel, a Lewis and Clark student as part of the Inland Northwest Memories Project by TINCAN."

"My parents were deceased and I was living with an aunt and uncle,

Paul with 1505 Uniform

and basically every teenager's idea is get out of the house and get out on your own. And I could have gone to college but figured that it would have been better to go out and see the world, and the best way to do it was join the Armed Forces. My first choice was the Navy and I went down and talked to the Navy recruiter. I asked him if it was true that we spend six months out to sea and he said yes, and I said you don't ever see land: and he says, Oh, you do about every three months or so, I said "No that's not for me and that I want kind of like a good educational job that is not gone totally all the time. He said okay, you want to see the Air Force recruiter. So I went down and saw him."

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH HE/SHE TOOK IN HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE. WHERE DID THEY GO FOR BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE THEY ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS HIS/HER REASON FOR LEAVING?

Heading Home, Courtesy of Col. Walter Boyne

Initially Paul was an Aircraft Mechanic on the UC-123K, which was used in the spraying of Agent Orange on the Jungles of Vietnam & Laos. He then became an Infrared Detection Set operator, or an Illumination Operator on AC-119G & AC-130 Spectre Gunships in Vietnam. He then applied and re-trained on the C-5 Galaxy to become a Flight Engineer. Paul was very smart when it came to aircraft systems. He just had a natural gift when it came to mechanics & aircraft performance. He later became an Instructor & Evaluator on the C-5.

IF HE/SHE PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE YOU FEEL WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO HIM/HER AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
Paul was born with a mechanical gift. He got a great deal of satisfaction being able to fix & repair anything mechanical, especially engines. At first it was being a mechanic on the C-123. These aircraft would come back after there Agent Orange spraying missions and Paul would sometimes be

Ranch Hand, Courtesy of LJ Militaria

covered from the herbicide after the aircraft were cleaned while performing scheduled maintenance. Life changing, absolutely. After his first tour in Vietnam, he was determined to re-train and fly on the AC 119G & AC-130. After his tech school, he was now a crew member on both Gunship's and right back in the thick of it in Vietnam. This he enjoyed. During Paul's first tour, the base he was assigned was mortared several times. While flying on the Gunships, Paul accrued over 700 hours of combat flying time. He flew mostly at night, but did fly some daylight missions.

After he completed his second tour he again applied for re-training and became a C-5 Galaxy Flight Engineer. Paul suddenly acquired cancer in late 2014, and within a couple of months, he passed away. Who would have thought?

OF ALL THEIR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY HE/SHE HAD FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS THEIR LEAST FAVORITE?

443rd Banner, Courtesy of M. Rogers

I am not sure of his fondest, but it may have been either Nha Trang, Vietnam, or Pleiku, Vietnam, or Travis AFB California. Least favorite was Altus Oklahoma. After Paul re-trained to become a C-5 Flight Engineer, he was stationed at Travis AFB, with the 22 MAS. After a couple of years, he then became an Instructor. He then applied for and was then stationed at Altus AFB, Oklahoma, with the 56 MAS. While he was at Altus he went through a very bitter divorce. This really hurt him, where he sometimes seemed devastated. He never wanted to talk about it, but if the subject ever came up in any conversation, it was like a switch had just been flipped inside Paul. You could tell he was deeply hurt by the situation.

FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.
"Interview with Mr. Paul M. Feuz, May 21, 2005. Conducted by Tori S. Pagel, a Lewis and Clark student as part of the Inland Northwest Memories Project by TINCAN."

Tori asked Paul, "Did you feel pressure or stress while over there, Vietnam?" "Paul replied, "Not the first time.

AC-130, Courtesy of USAF

First time was pretty much every day and I was pretty young then. The second time...yeah. When you're getting shot at every night that you're flying and you look out the door and you're looking, my job title was an I.O., that's illuminator operator. In the back of the AC-119 gunship, I ran special equipment; I had a 24-flare tube launcher. And then on the other door, and you can see some of the pictures, we had an illuminating light, it was like a searchlight. It was one million candlepower, and it would operate in white light or visible light mode. Or I could put a filter over it and it would operate in infrared mode, which could be picked up by the sensors that we carried up front."

Paul flew many Combat Missions while in Vietnam. He enjoyed what his duties were, however, his main goal was to survive each and every mission. He wanted to return home after his tour of duty was complete. Shortly before Paul passed away, he was diagnosed with PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Paul hid this well during his entire Air Force Career. A True Warrior.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS DO YOU BELIEVE HE/SHE WAS MOST PROUD OF FROM HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE?
Paul flew many combat missions while stationed in Vietnam. And because of the Aircraft he flew on, the AC-119G, and the AC-130 Spectre, most all of these missions were classified. So sometimes, there was very little to no recognition for what these Air Crew Members accomplished. This is just

DFC With "V" Device

some of the many casualties of war. However, One decoration that stands above all others, his Distinguished Flying Cross with V device.

CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF
THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS TO
PAUL M. FEUZ
Staff Sergeant Paul M. Feuz distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an AC-119G Illuminator Operator near Song Mao, Republic of Vietnam, on 19 June 1970. On that night, Sergeant Feuz's aircraft was scrambled from ground alert to aid a United States Ranger unit which was completely surrounded by a hostile force. Through excellent coordination with the ground to provide the critically needed illumination, Sergeant Feuz enabled his aircraft to fire to within 30 meters of the friendly positions. Having broken the attack and inflicted heavy personnel and supply losses on the hostile force, Sergeant Feuz's aircraft remained overhead as long as possible to prevent the hostile force from renewing their attack. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Feuz reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES HE/SHE RECEIVED, WHICH WERE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO HIM/HER AND WHY?

Chief Aircrew Badge, Courtesy of Aircrew Badges

This question is more suited for Paul to answer. But since he's not here, I'll give my opinion. Paul was an outstanding C-5 Instructor & Evaluator. He was extremely proud of his Chief Aircrew Badge, and equally proud of his DFC.

IF KNOWN, PLEASE LIST ANY INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM HIS/HER TIME IN THE MILITARY WHO STOOD OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEM AND WHY?

Dona Feuz, Courtesy of Dona Feuz

His wife Dona. And all three of Dona's children from her first marriage. Paul was extremely proud of all three. He treated each one as if they were his own.

October 25, 2015; "Well my love it is now 8 months since you left and my heart is still broken. I know I am suppose to be strong but Paul it is so hard. I just wish I could hear your voice, feel your arms around me, and see your smiling face. I want to hold you and hug you and kiss you so much. Oh honey I miss you. I feel so much anger at the doctors. All I wanted was a miracle but I guess it was not to be. I just keep wondering that if I had taken you to one of the big Cancer hospitals, would you still be around today. They have doctors who know what they are doing and specialize in that field. I love you Paul."

ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM HIS/HER SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MADE THEM LAUGH LATER ON?
Paul had been an Instructor & Evaluator for about 10 years. He was approaching the end of his career. He wanted to lessen his load and be able to relax more, in addition to being able to enjoy flying without any students or performing any evaluation rides during his last year with the Air Force. So he asked for an administration down grade so he can be a first engineer. This is not an unusual request by crew members. This request was denied.

Paul himself needed one last evaluation on himself, so he decided that he would not pass this ride. He had come full circle so to speak. He was now a student requiring training. And his new trainer was none other than Scott Rogers Jr. This situation was not the first I had been put in. So off we went on a nice 5-7 day mission. I had Paul's deficiencies from his annual performance ride all completed by the second day, and we just talked a lot and enjoyed the remainder of the mission. With the paperwork all completed, I had recommended Paul for another evaluation ride. This time he passed and was now qualified as a first engineer. This is all that he had wanted in the first place. Our squadron did not suffer in any way. There was always someone ready to step up and replace required Instructors or Evaluators. So in the end, Paul and myself had a good laugh.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, WHAT PROFESSION(S) DID HE/SHE FOLLOW AFTER DISCHARGE?

United Airlines DC-3, Courtesy of UAL

Paul became an Aircraft Mechanic for United Airlines after he retired from the Air Force in 1990. He worked in both Fresno, California & Spokane, Washington.

IF KNOWN, WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS WAS HE OR SHE A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC BENEFITS THEY DERIVED FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIPS?

VFW Memorial Courtesy of Amalka Molly Foth

Life time member of VFW Post 51, Spokane, Washington. Always being around other Veteran's. And a founding member of Together We Served.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU BELIEVE HIS/HER SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY THEY APPROACHED THEIR PERSONAL LIFE, FAMILY LIFE AND CAREER?
A quote from his Daughter in Law, Laura Dinkins Feuz. "Today we memorialize a wonderful man, my father-in-law, Paul Feuz. The world, and especially his family, have lost a very special person. He has been apart of my life for more than 23 years. His love for his family and

Rest In Peace Paul, Courtesy of Freida Fontenot

great, although sometimes warped, sense of humor is what I will remember most about him. He truly appreciated a good "chicken-neck". I am thankful he helped mold my husband, Sean Feuz, in to the honorable, loving, good-hearted man with a great work ethic.

He truly understands the importance of family and makes every effort to spend time with them. He has helped Sean become a great role model for our two boys, Nicholas Feuz and Jacob Feuz, by being one for him. I am truly thankful. We will love and miss you, but know you are always apart of all of us. God bless you Paul...may you now rest in peace. Your work here is done."

Well said. Paul was a good person, and always a pleasure to have on the Crew. Paul parent's instilled in their children great values.

IF THEY WERE HERE TODAY, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU THINK HE OR SHE WOULD GIVE TO THOSE WHO FOLLOWED IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS AND RECENTLY ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE?

C-5A 668306, Spring 1977, 3 Engines, Travis.

Never give up. Always persevere. Nothing in life is impossible.

HOW EFFECTIVE HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM BEEN IN HELPING YOU RECORD YOUR REMEMBERED PERSONS MILITARY SERVICE? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?

C-5B 870042, Courtesy of Silas Stephan

So far it has been wonderful. His significant other, very best friend & wife, now a widow, Dona, has been absolutely crushed by Paul's recent passing. However, I have been able to contact former squadron members for some well needed information. I have a long way to go, but enjoy working and documenting Paul's service each and every time. Our mission to Belgium was highly visible, and I am extremely proud of Paul for his contributions when we had a NLG problem after takeoff. Bringing a new C-5B, 870042, from Lockheed to Travis, with Paul. Happy Trails My Friend. Picture below is 870042 with a different paint scheme.

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