Killed In Action 20 January 1967

First Lieutenant Arthur John Abramoff was from Margate, New Jersey and born on 1 March 1941. He was assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Na Trang. Lt. Abramoff was 25 and married when he died. He was a Cagey Forward Air Controller and was controlling an air strike on enemy troops 20 miles north of Dak To in Kontum Province South Vietnam when the aircraft may have been hit by ground fire and crashed. The aircraft was so badly burned and in such a hostile area it couldn’t be inspected. No post mortem was performed on Lt Abramoff because his body was so badly burned his death was listed as cremation. He was flying an O-1G S/N 51-4851. First Lieutenant G. D. Hull, his observer, survived but could add nothing on his death. Lt Abramoff had three years of service and served 88 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 14E 056 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 26 March 1970

Major Henry Louis Allen was from Daytona Beach, Florida and born on 21 September 1943. He was 34 and single when he was lost. Major Allen was declared dead 6 July 1978. He was a Raven Forward Air Controller flying an O-1 aircraft supporting General Vang Pao in the Barrel Roll area of northern Laos. Most of the fighting took place in an area known as the Plain of Jars.  He was lost due to unknown causes and his body was not recovered. He was an F-4 crewmember prior to volunteering for his Forward Air Controller assignment to the Steve Canyon Project. This was a secret mission and the pilots were assigned to the American Ambassador to Laos appearing as civilians. His name is located at 12W 044 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 18 December 1970

Major James Pattee Allenberg was from Phoenix, Arizona and born on 17 March 1940. He was 30 when he crashed after an engine failed in OV-10 S/N 68-3821. Major Allenberg crashed off shore in I Corps South Vietnam and his body was recovered. He was single and flew WC-135 aircraft prior to his assignment as a Helix Forward Air Controller in the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was in combat 175 days prior to his death and his name is located at 06W 128 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 11 May 1972

Captain Barry Kenneth Allmond was from Ft. Worth, Texas and born on 2 February 1946. He was 26 and married when he was lost. Captain Allmond was a Sundog Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Tan Son Nhut Airport at Saigon. He was flying aircraft O-2 S/N 68-11000 when he was hit in Binh Long Province South Vietnam. Captain Allmond was one of several FACs controlling air strikes in defense of the city of  An Loc. An SA-7 SAM may have hit him; many were seen there after the 11^th. Captain Allmond was a graduate of the Citadel and served 259 days in combat. His body was eventually recovered and his name is located at 01W 023 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 26 September 1972

First Lieutenant Vincent Craig Anderson was from Los Angeles, California and born on 2 October 1948. He was 23 and single when he died. Lt. Anderson was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Tan Son Nhut Airport at Saigon. He was flying OV-10 S/N 67-14685 when it was hit by ground fire strafing a target 10 miles north of Phu Vinh in Vinh Long Province South Vietnam. Lt. Anderson served 162 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 01W 075 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 4 March 1966

Colonel Stuart Merrill Andrews was from Stamford, Connecticut and born on 22 September 1928. He was 49 and married when he was declared dead on 4 December 1977. Col. Andrews was a Baron Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Pleiku. He was a Major when he was lost flying O-1E S/N 56-2499 and promoted while he was missing. His body was not recovered. Col. Anderson was in II Corps but the Province and the days in combat are unknown. He was lost along with his observer, First Lieutenant John Francis Conlon, after contacting a Special Forces camp and asked to check some campfires seen in the area. Nothing more was heard from the aircraft and it disappeared. His name can be located at 05E 098 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 20 April 1969

Captain John Joseph Bach III was from Petersburg, Virginia and born on 7 April 1939. He was 30 and single when he died. Captain Bach had eight years service and had been in combat 259 days. He was a Raven Forward Air Controller in Laos and his body was recovered. Captain Bach was assigned as a civilian to the Ambassador to Laos. He flew an O-1 aircraft to support General Vang Pao in the Barrel Roll area of northern Laos. Most of the fighting took place in an area known as the Plain of Jars. His name is located at 26W 012 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed on 5 June 1966

Major Fred Earl Bailey was from Pensacola, Florida and born on 11 September 1928. He was 37 and married when he died. He had sixteen years of service when he crashed in Binh Dinh Province South Vietnam. Maj. Bailey was assigned to the 14^th Air Commando Wing at Na Trang. His body was recovered. Major Bailey had 239 days in combat before he died flying O-1E S/N 56-2647 on an escort mission. His name is located at 08E 009 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed on 15 February 1970

First Lieutenant James Stephen Baird was from South Weymouth, Massachusetts and born on 9 January 1946. He was 24 and married when he died. Lt. Baird was flying with Captain Gerald Edward Hull in aircraft O-2A S/N 67-21358 when it crashed during a training flight in Thua Thien Province South Vietnam. He had one year of service and served 66 days in combat. He was a Bilk Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. Lt. Baird supported the 101^st Airborne Division. His body was recovered and his name is located at 13W 013 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 20 November 1969

Captain John Robert Baldridge Jr. was from Memphis, Tennessee and born on 2 November 1946. He was 23 and married when he was lost. Captain Baldridge was a Lopez Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang South Vietnam. He was flying O-2A S/N 67-21301 with Lieutenant Colonel Walter A. Renelt. They were checking roads and trails 20 miles west of Kham Duc when the aircraft was shot down in Laos. His body was not recovered. He was promoted while missing and was a graduate of Texas A&M University. His name is located at 16W 097 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 10 June 1968

Major Robert Ball was from Toledo, Ohio and born on 27 October 1927. He was 40 and married when he died. He was a Trail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. Major Ball was supporting the 82^nd Airborne Division in Quang Tri Province South Vietnam when he was shot down. Major Ball was controlling an air strike on enemy bunkers near Kinh Mon when his aircraft was hit by 12.7 anti aircraft fire at 2,250 ft. and crashed. He had 18 years of service and served 62 days in combat. His name is located at 58W 017 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed in Action 7 November 1968

Lieutenant Colonel Charles Davison Ballou was from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and born on 29 February 1928. He was 40 and married when he died. He was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned to the Ambassador to Laos as a civilian. Lieutenant Colonel Ballou was flying an O-1 aircraft supporting General Vang Pao in the Barrel Roll area of northern Laos. Most of the fighting took place in an area known as the Plain of Jars. He had 16 years of service and served 279 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 39W 031 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed in Action 17 January 1968

Captain Sam Festis Beach Jr. was from Glendale, Arizona and born on 4 July 1941. He was 26 and married when he died. Captain Beach was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang operating from Khe Sanh. Captain Beach was flying O-2A S/N 67-21327 with Sgt. Donald Lee Chaney US Army when the aircraft was hit by ground fire on take off from Khe Sanh and crashed in Quang Tri Province South Vietnam. He had four years of service and served 171 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 34E 061 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed on 9 May 1968

Captain George J. Bedrossian was from Providence, Rhode Island and born on 15 September 1939. He was 28 and single when he died. Captain Bedrossian was a Covey Forward Air Navigator assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He and Major Robert E. Staley were flying O-2A S/N 67-21399 when they crashed on take off from Ubon AB Thailand. His body was recovered and his name is located at 57E 014 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Died From Wounds 30 October 1967

Captain James Harrell Bennett Jr. was from St. Louis, Missouri and born on I June 1936. He was 31 and married when he died from wounds. Captain Bennett was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-1E S/N 56-2516 on 21 September 1967 when he was hit by small arms fire after take off from Khe Sanh. With the aircraft on fire Captain Bennett attempted to crash land the aircraft but he was badly wounded while his observer survived. He had eight years service and served 85 days in combat His name is located at 28E 100 on the Vietnam memorial.

Killed In Action 29 June 1972

Captain Steven Logan Bennett was from Palestine, Texas and born on 22 April 1946. He entered the service from Lafayette, Louisiana. He was married and 26 when he died. Captain Bennett was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. Captain Bennett died off the shore of Quang Tri Province South Vietnam in I Corps when he attempted to ditch his OV-10 aircraft S/N 68-3804 after it was hit by a surface to air missile. He chose to ditch because his observer’s ejection seat was damaged and unusable. The OV-10 was not designed to ditch but his Marine observer, Captain Michael B. Brown, survived while Captain Bennett was killed. Captain Bennett served 72 days in combat and his body was recovered. A park in Palestine is named in his honor and his name is located at 01W 051 on the Vietnam Memorial. His Citation for the Congressional Medal of Honor follows.

Capt. Bennett was the pilot of a light aircraft flying an artillery adjustment mission along a heavily defended segment of route structure. A large concentration of enemy troops was massing for an attack on a friendly unit. Capt. Bennett requested tactical air support but was advised that none was available. He also requested artillery support but this too was denied due to the close proximity of friendly troops to the target. Capt. Bennett was determined to aid the endangered unit and elected to strafe the hostile positions. After 4 such passes, the enemy force began to retreat. Capt. Bennett continued the attack, but, as he completed his fifth strafing pass, his aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile, which severely damaged the left engine and the left main landing gear. As fire spread in the left engine, Capt. Bennett realized that recovery at a friendly airfield was impossible. He instructed his observer to prepare for an ejection, but was informed by the observer that his parachute had been shredded by the force of the impacting missile. Although Capt. Bennett had a good parachute, he knew that if he ejected, the observer would have no chance of survival. With complete disregard for his own life, Capt. Bennett elected to ditch the aircraft into the Gulf of Tonkin, even though he realized that a pilot of this type aircraft had never survived a ditching. The ensuing impact upon the water caused the aircraft to cartwheel and severely damaged the front cockpit, making escape for Capt. Bennett impossible. The observer successfully made his way out of the aircraft and was rescued. Capt. Bennett's unparalleled concern for his companion, extraordinary heroism and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force.

Crashed on 17 September 1970

First Lieutenant Jerry Eugene Bevan was from Minneapolis, Minnesota and born on 1 November 1944. He was 25 and single when he died. He was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He died attempting to eject from OV-10 S/N 68-3800 too low at Pleiku South Vietnam. He attempted the ejection because of engine failure late in the landing pattern. The Observer in the back seat made a safe ejection. Lt. Bevan served 57 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 07W 069 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 30 July 1968

Major Thomas John Beyer was from Fargo, North Dakota and born on 10 March 1941. He was 37 and married with three children when he was declared dead on 2 May 1978. Major Beyer was promoted while missing. Neither his body nor his aircraft was ever found. He was a Helix Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. Major Beyer was flying O-2 S/N 68-6891 from Chu Lai. He had 11 days in combat when he was lost in Quang Tim Province South Vietnam. He made a normal mission report and was headed for Kham Duc. After he failed to return a five-day Search and Rescue mission could find no sign of him. He was supporting the Americal Division and awarded the Silver Star for gallantry. His body was not recovered and his name is located at 50W 034 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 11 January 1969

Captain Francis Joseph Birchak was from Latrobe, Pennsylvania and born on 28 May 1936. He was 32 and married when he was lost. Captain Birchak was a Bomber Forward Air Controller assigned to the 22^nd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Binh Thuy. Captain Birchak was flying O-1G S/N 51-16951 when he was hit by ground fire at Cao Lanh near the Mekong River 65 miles southwest of Saigon. He and his Vietnamese Observer, Second Lieutenant V. T. Nguyen, were killed in the flaming crash. Captain Birchak had 12 years of service and served 269 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 35W 069on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 2 February 1966

Captain Craig Slade Blackner was from Lyman, Wyoming and born on 10 May 1938. He was 27 and married when he died. Captain Blackner was assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron and flying from Tan Son Nhut in an O-1E S/N 56-2493 when he crashed. He and his Observer, A1C John Erwin Cameron, died in Long An Province South Vietnam. Captain Blackner had four years service and his body was recovered. His combat time is unknown and his name is located at 04E 132 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 19 March 1968

Colonel Charles Edward Blair was from Chatham, Virginia and born on 2 November 1924. He was 49 and married when he was lost. Col. Blair was a Walt Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nha Trang. He and Senior Master Sergeant Victor Romero were flying O-1E S/N 51-4899 when they disappeared over the mountains 65 miles west of Nha Trang. Their bodies were eventually recovered from the slopes of Yook Nam Rmay Mountain near Duc Xuyen in Thua Thien Province South Vietnam. They were promoted while missing. Col. Blair’s time in combat is unknown and his name is located at 45E 033 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 15 October 1962

Captain Herbert W. Booth Jr. was from Sarasota, Florida and born on 19 October 1930. He was 31 and married when he was lost. Captain Booth was a Dora Corn Forward Air Controller assigned to Detachment 2A, 1^st Air Commando Group at Bien Hoa. He was flying U-10A S/N 62-5909 with T/Sgt. Richard L. Foxx when they were shot down in Dar Lac Province South Vietnam. His body was recovered and his name is located at 01E 013 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 13 June 1968

Major David George Brenner was from Manhattan, Kansas and born on 26 September 1933. He was 34 and married when he was lost. Captain Brenner was a Jake Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-2A S/N 67-21415 when he collided at about 1,000 ft. with an Army UH-1 helicopter, which had received ground fire on take off from LZ Dottie in Quang Ngai Province South Vietnam. Major Brenner crashed in a canal. He had 12 years of service and served 90 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 57W 006 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 14 September 1967

Major Gardner Brewer was from Melrose, Massachusetts and born on 16 May 1934. He was 33 and married when he died. Major Brewer was a Togo Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was returning from a mission in O-2A S/N 67-21314 when he was shot down by ground fire seven miles northeast of Quang Ngai in Quang Tin Province South Vietnam. Major Brewer had 10 years of service after graduation from the Naval Academy and served 65 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 26E 069 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 19 October 1969

Colonel Frank Howard Briggs was born in Brazil on 17 April 1928. He was 41 and married when he died. Col. Briggs was a Dart Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He and Captain James C. Woods were killed when their aircraft OV-10 S/N 68-3786 was hit by ground fire while practicing Ground Controlled Approaches near Long Thanh 12 miles southeast of Bien Hoa. He had 20 years of service and served 120 days in combat. Col. Briggs was posthumously promoted. His body was recovered and his name is located at 17W 090 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 19 April 1966

Captain Joseph Orville Brown was from Norwalk, Connecticut and born on 29 September 1934. He was 31 and married when he was declared dead. His remains were recovered and eventually buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Captain Brown was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to Detachment 3 505^th Tactical Air Support Group at Nahkon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He was flying O-1F S/N 57-2800 with an observer of unknown nationality near Ban Pongdong just south of the  Mu Gia Pass when his aircraft was hit by ground fire. He reported aircraft damage and was eventually seen in a rolling dive out of control. His body was not recovered and his name is located at 06E 122 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 29 April 1970

Captain Wendell Lee Brown was from Keyser, West Virginia and born on 8 September 1941. He was 28 and married when he died. Captain Brown was an Issue Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron and flew out of Chu Chi supporting the 25^th Infantry Division. He and 1^st Lt. Jose Hector Ortiz were on take off in OV-10A S/N 68-3824 when they were hit by ground fire and crashed about four miles southwest of Chu Chi in Hua Nghia Province South Vietnam. Captain Brown had eight years of service and served 171 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 11W 067 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 11 October 1970

Captain Robert Wade Brunson was from Birmingham, Alabama and born on 27 July 1943.  He was 27 and married when he died. He was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. Captain Brunson was flying OV-10A S/N 67-14696 when he was shot down near Samrong, Cambodia. He graduated from the University of Alabama and served 252 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 07W 124 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 25 December 1967

Captain Richard Walter Budka was from Amsterdam, New York and born on 11 March 1932. He was 35 and married when he died. Captain Budka was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He and Major Jerry A. Sellers were killed when O-2A 67-21390 was hit by automatic weapons fire in the DMZ buffer zone and crashed three miles south of the village of Thon Can Son  on Christmas Day. He had 12 years of service and served in combat for 225 days. His body was recovered and his name is located at 32E 056 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 30 December 1970

Captain Park George Bunker was from Homewood, Illinois and born on 10 December 1940. He was 30 and married when he was lost. Captain Bunker was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned to the Ambassador to Laos as part of the Steve Canyon Project. He was supporting General Vang Pao in the Barrel Roll part of Northern Laos as a civilian. Most of the fighting took place in an area known as the Plain of Jars. His body was not recovered and his name is located at 05W 014 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 16 April 1969

Captain William Omer Burkett was from Dillsboro, Indiana and born on 21 February 1943. He was 26 and married with one son when he died. He was a graduate of the University of Indiana and nicknamed "Bucket". Captain Burkett was a KC-135 pilot before his tour in Vietnam and was buried on his mother’s birthday. He had three years service and had served 74 days in combat. Captain Burkett was a Rake Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He and Captain Leon J. Pierce were flying O-2A S/N 67-21437 and marking a bunker complex for an air strike when they were hit by ground fire and crashed near Long Thanh 15 miles east of Saigon. His body was recovered and his name is located at 27W 093 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 10 February 1969

Captain Joseph Kerr Bush Jr. was from Temple, Texas and born on 28 January 1944. He was 25 and married when he died. He graduated from Texas A&M as a commissioned Army Officer. He was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned in a civilian capacity to the Ambassador to Laos supporting General Vang Pao in the Barrel Roll area of northern Laos. Most of the fighting took place in an area known as the Plain of Jars. His O-1 was hit by ground fire and crashed. One of his letters home was published in "Letters From Vietnam" and he was posthumously awarded a Silver Star for gallantry. He had two years service and his time in combat is unknown. Captain bush was the only Army pilot to serve as a Raven FAC. His body was recovered and his name is located at 32W 003 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 24 July 1970

First Lieutenant James Michael Butler was from Pensacola Beach, Florida and born on 18 November 1946. He was 23 and married when he died. He was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang and flying out of Duc Co six miles from the Cambodian border and 25 miles southwest of Pleiku. Lt. Butler had just taken off in OV-10A S/N 67-14672 when he was hit by ground fire and crashed. He had served 155 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 08W 048 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 5 June 1967

Captain Douglas Holma Butterfield was from Vista, California and born on 30 October 1940. He was 26 and married when he died. He was a Rash Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang supporting the 1^st Air Cavalry Division at An Khe. Captain Butterfield was flying a visual reconnaissance mission when his O-1G S/N 50-1640 was hit by ground fire about 5 miles from An Khe and crashed. He had four years of service and served 304 days in combat. Captain Butterfield had been an F-100 pilot and graduated from Polmar College. His body was recovered and his name is located at 21E 057 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 22 November 1968

Captain Ivan J. Campbell was from Huntsville, Texas and born on 6 September 1943. He was 25 and single when he died. He was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. Captain Campbell and Major Richard C. Swift were flying O-2A S/N 68-6859 when the aircraft struck a tree and crashed. His body was recovered and his name is located at 38W 033 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 29 August 1965

First Lieutenant Robert Marion Carn Jr. was from Claysburg, Pennsylvania and born on 13 February 1940. He was 25 and single when he died. Lieutenant Carn was a Red Marker Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He was an Air Force Academy graduate and was an Interceptor pilot prior to his FAC assignment. He was supporting the Vietnamese Airborne Brigade when his O-1F S/N 56-2539 collided with another FAC aircraft and crashed. Lieutenant Carn had three years of service and served 57 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 02E 069 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 7 November 1972

Major John Leonard Carroll was from Decatur, Georgia and born on 6 May 1940. He was 32 and married when he was lost. Major Carroll was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned as a civilian to the Ambassador to Laos. His work was done in the Barrel Roll area of northern Laos supporting General Vang Pao in the war against the Pathet Lao Communist forces. A lot of the flying in the Raven O-1 aircraft was done over the Plain of Jars. Major Carroll’s body was not recovered and he was declared dead. His name is located at 01W 090 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 22 May 1968

Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Lee Chambers was from Muskogee, Oklahoma and born on 12 October 1932. He was 43 and married when he was lost. Lt. Col. Chambers was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. Lt. Col. Chambers was flying a night exchange mission in a C-130 Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center using the call sign Blindbat. They were flying over the Ho Chi Minh Trail when the aircraft was shot down. Lt. Col. Chambers was lost along with nine other crewmembers. His body was not recovered and he was declared dead on 12 August 1976. He was promoted while missing and his name is located at 65E 004 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 13 October 1970

Colonel Joseph Lyons Chestnut was from Murfreesboro, Tennessee and born on 15 July 1934. He was 44 and married when he was lost. Col. Chestnut was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned to the Ambassador to Laos as a civilian flying O-1 aircraft in support of General Vang Pao in the Barrel Roll area of Northern Laos. Most of the fighting took place in an area known as the Plain of Jars. His body was eventually recovered and his name is located at 07W 132 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 17 February 1972

First Lieutenant Richard Neil Christy II was from Marietta, Ohio and born on 26 April 1946. He was 25 and single when he died. He was a Sundog Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Cam Ranh Bay South Vietnam. He was flying an O-2A aircraft out of Tan Son Nhut Airport at Saigon over Cambodia when he was shot down. The aircraft crashed and Lt. Christy was killed while his observer, Staff Sergeant W. E. Silva, survived and was rescued. His body was recovered and his name is located at 02W 107 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 23 March 1968

Captain Larry Jack Clanton was from Cupertino, California and born on 15 June 1940. He was 27 and married when he died. He was a Kenny Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa when he was killed in a crash after a mid air collision with another O-1 aircraft. He was flying O-1F S/N 57-2814 in support of South Vietnamese operations when the crash occurred in Phouc Tuy Province South Vietnam. Captain Clanton had 8 years service and had served 118 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 45E 061 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 11 March 1970

Major James Wilfred Clement was from Coeburn, Virginia and born on 5 April 1931. He was 38 and married when he died. Early in his tour he was a Jake Forward Air Controller in Quang Nai Province. Later he became a Speedy FAC assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying in O-2A S/N 68-6884 with First Lieutenant Paul F. Klug over a choke point on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. During their return they became missing due to unknown causes. Later the crash site was discovered in Quang Nam Province South Vietnam and their bodies recovered. Major Clement had 16 years of service and served 122 days in combat. His name is located at 13W 110 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 4 November 1969

Major Harry Jay Coates Jr. was from Yankton, South Dakota and born on 28 September 1931. He was 38 and married when he died. Major Coates had 16 years of service and served 36 days in combat. He was a Helix Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying OV-10A S/N 67-14676 with Captain Charles L. Karr and they were marking the position of a Viet Cong unit about 10 miles north of Quang Ngai. They failed to pull out of the dive and crashed close to the target. An Army helicopter searching for survivors found the crew dead at the scene. The cause of the crash was undetermined but was probably caused by ground fire. Their bodies were recovered and Major Coates’ name is located at 16W 027 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 20 December 1963

First Lieutenant Billy John Coley was from Ennis, Texas and born on 8 July 1938. He was 25 and married when he died. He was flying in O-1F 57-2831 and assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa when the aircraft crashed in the Mekong Delta region. First Lieutenant Donald Allen Mollicone was also killed. Lt. Coley was a graduate of Texas A&M and had three years of service. His days in combat are unknown. His body was recovered and his name is located at 01E 039 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 21 October 1969

Captain Glenn Richard Cook was from Charlotte, North Carolina and born on 10 September 1945. He was 31 and married when he was lost. Captain Cook was a Cutie Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Cam Ranh Bay. He and Major John Lee Espenshied were controlling an air strike 25 miles west of Nha Trang in Ninh Thuan Province South Vietnam when their O-2A S/N 68-10975 disappeared. The cause of the crash could not be determined because the site was not located. They were declared dead on 17 June 1977. Both men were promoted while missing and Captain Cook’s remains were never found but the Vietnamese eventually returned Major Espenshied’s remains. Captain Cook's name is located at 17W 100 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 26 June 1968

Captain Johnnie Clayton Cornelius was from Williams AFB Arizona and born on 22 May 1941. He was 27 and married with three years of service when he died. Captain Cornelius was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. Captain Cornelius and Major Robert F. Woods were flying O-2A S/N 68-6879 two miles north of the DMZ over North Vietnam close to the border of Laos when they began a dive to mark the target. The aircraft never pulled out of its dive and crashed. They may have been hit by ground fire. Their bodies were never recovered. Captain Cornelius’ name is located at 54W 002 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 28 April 1967

Major Morrison Auther Cotner was from Booneville, Arkansas and born on 30 May 1925. He was 41 and married when he died. Major Cotner was a Cutie Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nha Trang. He was flying in O-1G 51-16950 20 miles south of Tuy Hoa in Phu Yen Province South Vietnam when he crashed just off shore after being hit with suspected ground fire. He had 20 years of service and had served 246 days in combat. Army Technical Sergeant Carmen Muscara also died in the crash. Neither body was recovered and Major Cotner’s name is located at 18E 106 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 20 March 1968

Captain Bruce Alvin Couillard was from Duluth, Minnesota and born on 3 December 1940. He was 27 and single when he died. Captain Couillard was a Sidewinder Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He and Major Louis C. Zucker were flying O-1G S/N 51-16871 when their aircraft was shot down by ground fire near the village of Xom Rach Bap 20 miles northwest of Bien Hoa. Captain Couillard was supporting the 1^st Infantry Division, The Big Red One, in Binh Duong Province South Vietnam. He had 4 years service and had served 119 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 45E 038 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 16 December 1967

Major Ommie Truman Cox Jr. was from Weatherford, Texas and born on 19 May 1932. He was 35 and married when he died. He was a Herb Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nha Trang. Major Cox and an unknown observer, possibly Vietnamese, were flying O-1G S/N 51-12097. They were shot down near Phu Tuc about 50 miles west of Tuy Hoa in Phu Bon Province South Vietnam. They were declared dead after a four-day search turned up nothing. Their remains were later recovered. Major Cox had 12 years of service and had served 127 days in combat. His name is located at 32E 009 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 24 April 1970

Captain James Emory Cross was from Warren, Ohio and born on 23 June 1944. He was 25 and single when he died. Captain Cross was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned to the Ambassador to Laos supporting General Vang Pao in the Barrel Roll area of Northern Laos when he was lost. Most of the fighting took place in an area known as the Plain of Jars. His body was not recovered. He had previously flown a tour flying as a AC-47 "Spooky" gun ship pilot before volunteering for the Steve Canyon Project. His name is located at 11W 044 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 24 September 1968

Captain George Michael Cunningham was from Santa Monica, California and born on 26 February 1939. He was 29 and married when he died. Captain Cunningham was a Nile Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He was flying O-1G S/N 51-4570 with Major Norman Northrop Cunningham, an Army Observer, when they were shot down by ground fire near Phu Giao in Long Khanh Province South Vietnam. Captain Cunningham was supporting the 11^th Armored Cavalry and Major Cunningham may have been a member of that unit. Their bodies were recovered. It is unknown if they were related. Captain Cunningham had 8 years of service and had served 99 days in combat. His name is located at 42W 004 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 18 August 1969

Captain Daniel Richard Davis was from Atlanta, Georgia and born on 10 August 1943. He was 30 and married when he died. He was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned to the Ambassador to Laos as a civilian. Captain Davis flew in support of General Vang Pao in the Barrel Roll area of northern Laos against the Pathet Lao Communist forces. Most of the fighting took place in an area known as the Plain of Jars. His O-1 aircraft was lost and his body was not recovered. He was declared dead on 30 March 1974. His name is located at 19W 059 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 18 October 1971

Major Richard Henry Defer was from Traverse City, Michigan and born on 9 October 1931. He was 40 and married when he died. He was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned as a civilian to the Ambassador to Laos. Major Defer flew his O-1 aircraft in support of General Vang Pao in the Barrel Roll area of northern Laos against Pathet Lao Communist forces. Most of the fighting took place in the area know as the Plain of Jars. His body was recovered and his name is located at 02W 043 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 6 September 1968

Major Samuel Mackal Deichelmann was from Montgomery, Alabama and born on 24 September 1938. He was 38 and married when he was lost. He was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned to the 56^th Special Operations Wing at Udorn Air Base Thailand. He flew his O-1F on a classified mission from Bien Hoa to Udorn and went down during the trip. His body was not recovered. Major Deichelmann was declared dead on 3 November 1975. His name is located at 45W 049 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 17 October 1968

Major Freddie Dale Dickens was from Popular Bluff, Missouri and born on 12 September 1934. He was 34 and married when he died. Major Dickens was an Allen Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He was further assigned to Tay Ninh City to support the South Vietnamese forces. He was returning to Tay Ninh in O-1E S/N 51-5001 when he was shot down by ground fire just outside the base. He had 14 years service and had served 269 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 41W 068 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 2 June 1969

Captain Jackie Lee Dickens was from Danville, West Virginia and born on 6 July 1940. He was 28 and married when he died. He was a Bilk Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was further assigned to Chu Lai at LZ Bayonet. He was flying O-2A S/N 67-21319 when it was shot down 20 miles northwest of Da Nang in Thua Thien Province South Vietnam. He was supporting the 101^st Airborne Division. Captain Dickens had 10 years of service and served 294 days in combat. He was one of the unfortunate military people who never saw his son. His body was recovered and his name is located at 23W 041 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 12 December 1970

Major Thomas Allen Duckett was from La Grange, Georgia and born on 12 November 1946. He was 32 and single when he was lost. Major Duckett was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He and Colonel Owen George Skinner were flying O-2A S/N 67-21428 at night over the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. They were operating in the same area as a sophisticated B-57 fitted with the latest bombing equipment when they crashed. It was assumed the B-57 and the O-2 had a collision causing the loss of both aircraft. The B-57 crew was recovered but the O-2 was listed as missing. The following day the O-2 crash site was found and what was thought to be a parachute was spotted. Radio contact was made and beepers were heard but could not be tracked. The O-2 crew including Major Duckett was never seen again. He was declared dead on 27 July 1979. His body was not recovered and his name is located at 06W 116 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 4 April 1970

Captain John Everett Duffy was from Portland, Maine and born on 23 January 1946. He was 32 and single when he was lost. He was a Jake Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. Captain Duffy was returning O-2A S/N 68-11058 to Quang Ngai and was flying Visual Reconnaissance when he reported weather problems. Nothing further was heard from the aircraft and a three-day search found nothing. The aircraft was possibly shot down near the village of Ba To 20 miles south of Quang Ngai. Captain Duffy was declared dead on 29 June 1978. His remains were eventually returned. His name is located at 12W 092 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 1 October 1970

First Lieutenant Garrett Edward Eddy was from Seattle, Washington and born on 22 December 1944. He was 25 and single when he died. He was a Rustic Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. Lieutenant Eddy was flying with First Lieutenant Michael Steven Vrablick in O-2A S/N 68-10839 when they were shot down by automatic weapons fire 25 miles northwest of Kampong Cham, Cambodia. They were supporting the government of Lon Nol against the Khmer Rouge. The aircraft crashed in flames on his 162^nd day in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 07W 103 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 23 October 1968

Captain Richard Lyon Edwards was from Coal Grove, Ohio and born on 8 June 1935. He was 33 and married when he died. Captain Edwards was a Lopez Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was marking an enemy position supporting Marines 15 miles south of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province South Vietnam when his aircraft was hit by ground fire at 1500 ft. and crashed in flames. He had 10 years service and had served 88 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 40W 024 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 19 December 1972

Captain Francis Xavier Egan was from Forest Hills, New York and born on 11 November 1946. He was 26 and single when he died. He was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying an OV-10A Bronco with an unknown crewmember when they were hit by an SA-7 missile near Quang Tri in Quang Nam Province South Vietnam. The aircraft was lost and Captain Egan died but the crewmember survived. Captain Egan had served 327 days in combat and was only 38 days from rotating home. His body was recovered and his name is located at 01W 096 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 3 November 1967

Major John Culbertson Egger Jr. was from Tulsa, Oklahoma and born on 9 November 1929. He was 37 and married when he died. He was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. Major Egger was flying O-2A S/N 67-21328 controlling an air strike against an anti aircraft gun position near Vinh Linh North Vietnam. The aircraft pulled up off the target and was hit in the tail, burst into flames and crashed. He had 14 years service and his remains were returned. His name is located at 29E 014 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 27 August 1965

First Lieutenant Jerome Elkins was from Los Angeles, California and born on 24 April 1938. He was 27 and married and had a five year old daughter when he died. He was a Bird Dog Forward Air Controller assigned to the 6253^rd Combat Support Group at Nha Trang. Lieutenant Elkins and an unknown observer were flying a Visual Reconnaissance mission in O-1 E S/N 57-6271 over Quang Tri Province South Vietnam when they failed to return. A search found the crash site and the bodies were recovered. He had six years service and his name is located at 02E 067 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 26 March 1970

Major Richard Gene Elzinga was from Shedd, Oregon and was born on 13 August 1942. He was 35 and single when he was lost. Major Elzinga was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned to the Ambassador to Laos as a civilian. He flew an O-1 aircraft in support of General Vang Pao in the Barrel Roll area of northern Laos. Most of the fighting took place in an area known as the Plain of Jars. His body was not recovered and his name is located at 12W 045 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 16 March 1968

Captain Albert Alois Engelhardt was from Bayside, New York and born on 17 February 1938. He was 30 and single when he died. Captain Engelhardt was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand. He was flying O-2A S/N 67-21408 10 miles north of Khe Sanh in Quang Tri Province South Vietnam at dusk when the airplane disappeared. Captain Engelhardt had eight years service and was promoted while missing. His remains were eventually recovered and his name is located at 44E 067 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 21 March 1967

Captain Tonie Lee England Jr. was from Palestine, Texas and born on 14 July 1934. He was 32 and married when he died. He was a Cider Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. Captain England was flying with Captain Walter Henry Forbes in O-1G S/N 51-5150 when an Army fire support base came under attack by an estimated 2,500 North Vietnamese Infantry of the 272^nd Regiment. They responded to the call for help and after controlling an air strike were attempting to make a Battle Damage Assessment at low level when the aircraft was hit by automatic weapons fire causing the left wing to disintegrate. The O-1 crashed killing both pilots. The battle in the Michelin Rubber Plantation at Suoi Tri  20 miles northeast of Tay Ninh City in War Zone C continued with other FACs on station. The enemy was driven off using 85 fighters saving hundreds of Army soldiers and 600 enemy bodies were counted on the battlefield. Captain England had 12 years of service and had served 51 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 17E 002 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 22 February 1971

Captain Charles Edwin Engle was from Carlos, Indiana and born on 8 February 1945. He was 26 and single when he died. Captain Engle was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned to the Ambassador to Laos as a civilian. He flew in support of General Vang Pao in the Barrel Roll area of northern Laos. Most of the fighting took place in an area known as the Plain of Jars. Captain Engle served 178 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 05W 130 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 14 November 1968

Captain William Hilric Fabian was from Pullman, Washington and born on 20 April 1940. He was 28 and married when he died. Captain Fabian was a Sidewinder Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He and Captain C. B. Gannaway were flying O-1E S/N 56-4207 near Phouc Vinh 35 miles north of Saigon in Phouc Long Province South Vietnam. They were supporting the 1^st Infantry Division and circling the battlefield at 1500 ft. when the aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire. It crashed near enemy troops and Captain Fabian was killed. Captain Gannaway survived and was rescued by an Army helicopter. Captain Fabian had 12 years of service and served 100 days in combat. His remains were recovered after the war and his name is located at 39W 065 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 16 November 1969

Major Philippe B. Fales was from Carmel, California and born on 6 October 1933. He was 36 and married when he died. He was a Rash Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He was flying OV-10A S/N 67-14644 from Tay Ninh City supporting the 1^st Air Cavalry Division. Captain Fales was flying Visual Reconnaissance near Katum when he was shot down by ground fire eight miles southeast of the city. An Army helicopter arrived at the crash site shortly after he crashed and recovered his body. He had 12 years of service and served 41 days in combat. His name is located at 16W 083 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 13 May 1966

Major David Ashby Farrow was from Richmond, Virginia and born on 3 September 1932. He was 33 and married when he died. Major Farrow was a Hound Dog Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-1E S/N 56-2680 from Nha Trang. The aircraft was hit by ground fire over Laos 15 miles west of Khe Sanh. Major Farrow attempted to fly to Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand but he crashed in Laos 5 miles from the base. His body was recovered and his name is located at 07E 057 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 21 March 1966

Major Joseph Barnett Fearno was from Coolidge, Kansas and born on 17 July 1932. He was 33 and married when he died. His call sign and unit of assignment are unknown. Major Fearno was flying O-1E S/N 56-2617 on a Visual Reconnaissance mission over Lam Dong Province South Vietnam when his engine failed. His forced landing resulted in a crash he did not survive but his unknown crewmember did survive. He had 14 years service and served 171 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 06E 030 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 20 March 1968

Colonel Allen Eugene Fellows was from Minneapolis, Minnesota and born on 1 December 1931. He was 46 and married when he was declared dead. Col. Fellows was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-2A S/N 67-21338 over southern Laos in the vicinity of Ban Gnang near the Xe Banghrang River when the aircraft disappeared. No trace of it or Col. Fellows was ever found and he was promoted while missing. His name is located at 45E 039 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 16 June 1968

Major Wayne Ardell Ferguson was from Milton Freewater, Oregon and born on 13 March 1929. He was 39 and married when he died. Major Ferguson was a Tonto Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nha Trang. He was flying O-1F S/N 57-2932 near Phouc Long 25 miles southwest of Qui Nhon when he was hit by ground fire while diving on the target and crashed. He was supporting the 173^rd Airborne Brigade in Phu Yen Province South Vietnam. Major Ferguson had 16 years of service and served 125 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 56W 002 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 24 December 1971

Captain William Robert Finn was from Metairie, California and born on 15 August 1947. He was 30 and single when he was lost. Captain Finn was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang and flying from Pleiku South Vietnam. He and Captain Timothy Michael Tucker were flying OV-10A S/N 67-14667 about 15 miles southwest of Muang Fangdeng in the extreme southern tip of Laos controlling fighters on a hot night insertion when they were shot down. His body was not recovered and his name is located at 02W 091 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 21 March 1967

Captain Walter Henry Forbes III was from Swampscott, Massachusetts and born on 21 June 1941. He was 25 and single when he died. Captain Forbes was a Cider Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He and Captain Tonie Lee England were flying out of Dau Tieng in O-1G S/N 51-5150 when the aircraft was hit by automatic weapons fire and shot down. They were supporting an Army Fire Support Base at Suoi Tre in the Michelin Rubber Plantation 20 Miles north of Tay Ninh City in War Zone C. The base was under attack from an estimated 2,500 troops of the 272^nd North Vietnamese Infantry Regiment. They were attempting a low level Bomb Damage Assessment after controlling a flight of fighters when the left wing disintegrated from gunfire and they crashed. Other FACs controlled 85 fighters in order to break the attack saving hundreds of lives and over 600 enemy bodies were counted on the battlefield. Captain Forbes had 3 years of service and had served 190 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 17E 003 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 15 October 1962

Technical Sergeant Richard L. Foxx was from Gaffney, South Carolina and born on 22 February 1932. He was 30 and married when he was lost. Sgt. Foxx had 12 years of service and was using the Call Sign Dora Corn while flying with Captain Herbert W. Booth in a U-10A 62-5909. They were assigned to Detachment 2A 1^st Air Commando Group at Bien Hoa. They were shot down in Darlac Province South Vietnam in the Central Highlands. Sgt. Foxx’s body was eventually recovered and his name is located at 01E 013 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 2 July 1966

Major Lawrence John Frahman was from Wilmot, South Dakota and born on 18 November 1928. He was 37 and married when he died. Major Frahman was a Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He was flying a FAC mission in O-1E 56-2521 in Quang Nam Province South Vietnam when he crashed. Major Frahman had 14 years of service and served 342 days in combat. He had only 23 days until his rotation. His body was recovered and his name is located at 08E 119 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 7 June 1966

Captain Charles Stephen Franco was from New York, New York and born on 12 June 1940. He was 25 and single when he died. Captain Franco was a Jade Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He was flying a Visual Reconnaissance mission with Captain John Charles Jacobs in O-1E S/N 55-4736 when they were lost to possible enemy action seven miles north of Vung Tau in Phuoc Tuy Province South Vietnam. He had 4 years of service and had served 112 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 08E 016 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Joseph Gambino Jr.

Killed In Action 7 April 1973

First Lieutenant Joseph Gambino Jr. was from New York, New York and born on 7 April 1949. He was 24 and single when he died on his birthday. Lieutenant Gambino was a Rustic Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He was operating out of Ubon Air Base Thailand in OV-10A S/N 67-14659 near Trapeang Veng 50 miles northwest of Kampong Cham in Cambodia. He was directing a strike on mortar positions when the aircraft was struck by .50 caliber gunfire from Khmer Rouge soldiers and crashed in flames. Lieutenant Gambino had served 209 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 01W 116 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 23 July 1965

 Captain Francis Edward Geiger was from Dickinson, North Dakota and born on 8 December 1936. He was 28 and married when he died. Captain Geiger was a Bird Dog Forward Air Controller assigned to the 6253^rd Combat Support Group at Nha Trang however he may have belonged to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron, which had recently been activated.  He and his observer Lt. Heip, probably Vietnamese, died when their O-1F S/N 56-4218 was probably hit by small arms fire in Kontum Province South Vietnam. Captain Geiger had eight years of service. His body was recovered and his name is located at 02E 043 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 2 June 1969

First Lieutenant James Robson Gilmore Jr. was from Columbia, South Carolina and born on 8 April 1945. He was 24 and single when he died. Lieutenant Gilmore was a Jake Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-2A S/N 67-21316 on a Visual Reconnaissance Mission near Tam Ky in Quang Tin Province South Vietnam when the aircraft was hit by small arms fire and crashed in flames. Lieutenant Gilmore had one year of service and had served 97 days in combat. He grew up in an Air Force family and was initially declared missing but his body was eventually recovered. His name is located at 23W 044 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Richard Tenney Gray

Killed In Action 5 June 1973

First Lieutenant Richard Tenney Gray was from Alexandria, Virginia and born on 9 February 1950. He was 23 and single when he died. Lieutenant Gray was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He was shot down over Cambodia in an OV-10A S/N unknown, which was the last OV-10 lost in the war. His body was recovered and his name is located at 01W 118 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Remi Hendricus Greeff

Crashed 30 January 1969

Captain Remi Hendricus Greeff was from Salt Lake City, Utah and born on 21 April 1939. He was 29 and married when he died. Captain Greeff was assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa and flying OV-10A S/N 67-14642 on a training mission in Gia Dinh Province South Vietnam when an engine failed and he crashed. Captain Greeff had 4 years of service and had served 86 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 33W 022 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed in Action 13 December 1968

Captain Bruce Briant Greene was from Wynnewood, Pennsylvania and born on 26 March 1940. He was 28 and married when he died. He was an Issue Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He and Captain Charles Farrell Griffin were flying OV-10A S/N 67-14627 supporting the 24^th Infantry Division when they collided with an AC-47 dropping flares from 3500 feet.  They were trying to break off a night attack by Viet Cong on an outpost six miles southeast of Truc Giang in Hua Nghia Province South Vietnam in the Mekong Delta. The OV-10 may have been hit by small arms fire but it could not be positively determined. Both aircraft tried to return to Bien Hoa but the OV-10 crashed killing both pilots and the AC-47 was scrapped after being badly damaged on landing. Captain Greene had four years of service and had served 53 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 36W 016 on the Vietnam Memorial.

        Charles Farrell Griffin          

Killed in Action 13 December 1968

Captain Charles Ferrell Griffin was from Grand Rapids, Michigan and born on 17 January 1940. He was 28 and married when he died. He was an Issue Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He and Captain Bruce Briant Greene were flying OV-10A S/N 67-14627 supporting the 24^th Infantry Division when they collided with an AC-47 dropping flares from 3500 feet.  They were trying to break off a night attack by Viet Cong on an outpost six miles southeast of Truc Giang in Hua Nghia Province South Vietnam in the Mekong Delta. The OV-10 may have been hit by small arms fire but it could not be positively determined. Both aircraft tried to return to Bien Hoa but the OV-10 crashed killing both pilots and the AC-47 was scrapped after being badly damaged on landing. Captain Griffin had six years of service. His body was recovered and his name is located at 36W 016 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Andre Roland Guillet

Missing In Action 18 May 1966

 Senior Master Sergeant Andre Roland Guillet was from Waterbury, Connecticut and born on 17 December 1943. He was 30 and single when he was lost. Sergeant Guillet was a Combat Control Team Instructor working with the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He was flying with a Gombey Forward Air Controller, Captain Lee Dufford Harley, when their O-1F S/N 57-2877 was hit by .50 caliber anti aircraft fire and crashed near a recently discovered portion of the Ho Chi Minh Trail near Ban Karai pass. An A-1 had been lost in the same area two days before their O-1. He was promoted while missing. His body was not recovered and his name is located at 07E 081.

Killed In Action 2 January 1966

Captain Harlow Kenneth Halbower was from Anthony, Kansas and born on 24 December 1936. He was 29 and married when he died. Captain Halbower was a Python Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He was flying O-1F S/N 57-2889 when he was shot down by ground fire near Moc Hoa * 18 miles west of Tan Son Nhut Airport in Hua Nghia Province South Vietnam. He had six years of service and was a graduate of the first Air Force Academy class in 1959. Captain Halbower was also the first member of his class to die in Southeast Asia. His body was recovered and his name is located at 04E 050 of the Vietnam Memorial.

* an update to the FACHBCD

Crashed 5 February 1973

Captain Ted B. Hallenbeck was from Arlington, Virginia and born on 10 March 1946. He was 26 and single when he died. He was assigned to Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. Captain Hallenbeck was flying an AU-23 on a training mission, which was a piloted version of the QU-23 drone used to gather data from the sensors used in the Igloo White program on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. He and possibly a Thai Air Force pilot were killed in the crash in Thailand. His body was recovered and his name is located at 01W 115 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 16 October 1968

First Lieutenant George Barker Hamilton was from Swarthmore, Pennsylvania and born on 27 July 1944. He was 24 and single when he died. He was an Issue Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He was flying O-1E S/N 56-2651 in support of the 24^th Infantry Division when his engine failed and he crashed. He had two years of service and served 98 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 41W 066 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 14 August 1969

Major Kenneth James Hamrick was from Morgantown, West Virginia and born on 14 July 1936. He was 33 and married when he died. Major Hamrick was a Bomber Forward Air Controller assigned to the 22^nd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Binh Thuy. He was flying O-1G S/N 51-5097 near Ap Bac about 40 miles southwest of Saigon in Kien Tuong Province South Vietnam when he was shot down by automatic weapons ground fire. An Army helicopter crew discovered his body in the wreckage. Major Hamrick had 10 years of service and served 198 days in combat. His name is located at 19W 039 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 14 March 1972

Captain Arthur Hans Hardy was from Ipswich, Massachusetts and born on 7 November 1948. He was 28 and married when he died. Captain Hardy was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. His OV-10A S/N unknown was shot down by anti aircraft fire in Laos 20 miles northeast of Saravan. He was an Air Force Academy graduate. Captain Hardy’s body was recovered and his name is located at 02W 114 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 18 May 1966

Major Lee Duffy Harley was from Danville, Virginia and born on 21 January 1940. He was 35 and married when he was declared dead 31 July 1975. He was a Gombey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He and Senior Master Sergeant Andre Roland Guillet, a Combat Control Team Instructor, were flying O-1F S/N 57-2877 over a recently discovered section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail near Ban Karai Pass when the aircraft was hit by .50 caliber gunfire and crashed. His body was not recovered and he was promoted while missing. Major Harley’s name is located at 07E 081 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 26 November 1968

Colonel Gregg Hartness was from Dallas, Texas and born on 18 April 1937. He was 43 and married when he was declared dead on 1 July 1980. He was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. Col. Hartness and First Lieutenant A. S. Shepherd took off from Da Nang for a Visual Reconnaissance mission over the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos southwest of the DMZ in O-2A S/N 67-21419. The aircraft was flying at 8,000 ft. when it was hit in the tail by 37 MM anti aircraft fire near the village of Ban Katao. It spun out of control and Col. Hartness ordered Lt. Shepherd to bail out which he did successfully and survived.  Col Hartness remains were later recovered and will be buried in Arlington in September 2005.  Allen Shepard will attend.  His name is located at 38W 066 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 11 May 1972

First Lieutenant John Herbert Haselton was from Newport, Vermont and born on 6 March 1948. He was 24 and single when he died. Lt. Haselton was a Sundog Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Tan Son Nhut Airport in Saigon. He was flying O-2A S/N 68-11004 in the battle of An Loc in Binh Long Province South Vietnam and he was one of three aircraft lost to ground fire in the battle. Lt. Haselton was first listed as missing but his body was eventually recovered. He served 173 days in combat and his name is located at 01W 023 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 5 September 1970

Captain Robert Douglas Hauer was from Brookline, Massachusetts and born on 29 November 1946. He was 31 and single when he was declared dead on 16 March 1978 Captain Hauer was a Cutie Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Cam Ranh Bay. He was flying O-2A S/N 68-10992 about 20 miles northwest of Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province South Vietnam. It was assumed he was the victim of ground fire but the aircraft was never located to confirm the assumption. His name is located at 07W 039 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 17 December 1965

Captain Donald Rey Hawley was from Fort Worth, Texas and born on 25 February 1937. He was 28 and married when he died. Captain Hawley was a Red Marker Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He was flying O-1E S/N 57-2873 supporting the Vietnamese Airborne Division. Elements of the Division were engaged by a superior force and were in danger of being over run and destroyed in the Michelin Rubber Plantation near Song Be in Binh Duong Province South Vietnam. Captain Hawley controlled several air strikes and while making a low pass over the battlefield he was shot down and crashed between the opposing forces. Both forces attempted to reach the aircraft but another FAC controlling air strikes prevented the enemy from reaching the aircraft. Captain Don Fleener landed his O-1 during a lull in the battle to determine Captain Hawley’s condition but heavy fire erupted and Captain Fleener was forced to take off suffering heavy damage to the aircraft and wounds as well. The enemy was finally driven off and his body was recovered. He had 10 years of service and had served 81 days in combat. Captain Hawley’s name is located at 04E 020 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 6 February 1967

Major Lucius Lamar Heiskell was from Memphis, Tennessee and was born on 3 February 1940. He was 27 and married when he was declared dead. He was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. Major Heiskell’s story is one of the saddest in this group but it also illustrates the difficulties faced by the USAF trying rescue downed pilots and the heroism of the men who performed the rescue mission. He was flying O-1F S/N 57-2807 with another O-1 on a Visual Reconnaissance mission over the Eastern border of Laos and North Vietnam. They came under heavy anti aircraft fire from automatic weapons including possible 57 MM guns. Major Heiskell’s O-1 was hit in the rear fuselage but managed to make it back into Laos only to crash near the Mu Gia Pass in the Annamite mountains about 60 miles east of Nakhon Phanom. He reached the ground safely but radioed that he was surrounded by enemy troops and rescue wasn’t feasible at that time. Later an HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopter flew two missions to rescue Major Heiskell. On the second mission Airman Second Class Duane Hackney was lowered to the ground to locate him and eventually did rescue him. Unfortunately the HH-3 was hit by 37 MM anti aircraft fire as it exited the area, exploded and crashed on a 900-meter Karst Mountain. The entire crew was killed in the crash except Airman Hackney managed to put a parachute on Major Heiskell and shove him out of the helicopter. Airman Hackney jumped to safety even though he didn’t have time to secure his parachute and was rescued later. Major Heiskell did not survive despite this heroic effort. Airman Hackney was the first living recipient of the Air Force Cross for his effort on the rescue and became one of the most decorated Enlisted Men of the war. Major Heiskell was promoted while missing and his body was not recovered. His name is located at 14E 129 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 2 August 1969

First Lieutenant Hal Kent Henderson was from Bozeman, Montana and born on 5 September 1944. He was 24 and married when he died. Lieutenant Henderson was a Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was supporting the 101^st Airborne Division in Quang Tin Province South Vietnam when he collided with an Army Ch-47 Chinook helicopter and both aircraft crashed killing the crews from both aircraft. Lt. Henderson served 110 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 20W 086 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 2 September 1972

Captain Richard Walter Herold was from Plattsburg, New York and born on 3 December 1944. He was 27 and single when he was lost. Captain Herold was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned to the Ambassador to Laos as a civilian. He flew O-1 aircraft in support of General Vang Pao in Northern Laos fighting the Pathet Lao. Most of the fighting occurred on the Plain of Jars. His body was not recovered and his name is located at 01W 069 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 19 June 1969

Captain James Dean Hoag was from East Point, Georgia and born on 18 October 1941. He was 27 and married when he died. Captain Hoag was a Kenny Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He and First Lieutenant George Richard Dover, a Marine Observer, were flying O-2A S/N 68-6869 on a mission to destroy Viet Cong rocket and mortar firing positions near Lang Phouc Hai 15 miles north of Vung Tau in Choung Thien Province South Vietnam. They were using air strikes and Naval gunfire when their aircraft was hit by ground fire, which blew off the tail of the aircraft. Both crewmen died in the crash and their bodies were recovered. Captain Hoag had four years of service and had served 67 days in combat. His name is located at 22W 089 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 15 March 1966

Lieutenant Colonel David Hugh Holmes was from Belmont, Massachusetts and born on 26 March 1938. He was 40 and married when he was declared dead on 6 November 1978. Lieutenant Colonel Holmes was a Hound Dog Forward Air Controller assigned to the 22^nd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Binh Thuy. He was flying O-1E S/N 56-2530 from Khe Sanh. He was on a Tiger Hound mission operating in the Steel Tiger sector of Laos when he spotted a large concentration of NVA troops in a truck park in the Xe Namkok river valley 11 miles northeast of Tchepone. The area was protected by at least six gun emplacements and he was shot down on the eastern slopes of the valley near the village of Ban Keng Khan Kao. Another FAC spotted the aircraft with Holmes slumped over the controls but after another aircraft was shot down a five-hour attack on the area prevented rescue efforts. Later there was no sign of him in the wreckage and his body was not recovered. Lieutenant Colonel Holmes was promoted while missing and his name is located at 06E 010 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 22 May 1967

Colonel Lester Evan Holmes was from Plainfield, Iowa and born on 24 July 1919. He was 55 and married when he was declared dead on 15 July 1975. Colonel Holmes was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-1E S/N 51-12102 five miles northwest of Thon Can So just outside the northern edge of the DMZ. He was on a Visual Reconnaissance mission at 8,000 feet searching for SA-2 missile sites when his aircraft was blown out of the sky by an SA-2. He was promoted while missing and his body was not recovered. His name is located at 20E 081 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed in Action 2 March 1966

Captain Marshall Myron Holt Jr. was from Des Moines, Iowa and born on 28 May 1933. He was 32 and married when he died. Captain Holt was a Gombey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Pleiku. He was flying O-1E S/N 56-2529 with Captain Paul Albert Meiners on a Visual Reconnaissance mission 12 miles south of Bon Son when they were shot down near the coast of Binh Dinh Province South Vietnam. He had 10 years of service and had served 45 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 05E 095 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 15 February 1970

Captain Gerald Edward Hull was from Youngstown, Ohio and born on 18 January 1943. He was 27 and married when he died. Captain Hull was a Bilk Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He supported the 101^st Airborne Division. He and First Lieutenant James Stephen Baird were flying O-2A S/N 67-21358 on a training mission when they crashed into a ridge in Thua Thien Province South Vietnam. Their bodies were recovered. Captain Hull had 4 years of service and served 212 days in combat. His name is located at 13W 014 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 19 February 1971

First Lieutenant James Larry Hull was from Lubbock, Texas and born on 28 December 1945. He was 25 and married when he died. He was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. Lieutenant Hull and Sergeant William Mathew Fernandez US Army were flying O-2A S/N 68-11001 searching for an Army helicopter shot down in southern Laos. They were shot down and crashed near Ban Pelou 55 miles west of Da Nang and neither survived. An Army Special Forces team reached the crash site and recovered Sgt. Fernandez’s body but Lieutenant Hull’s body was trapped in the wreckage and could not be recovered. Lt. Hull was near the end of his tour and his name is located at 05W 120 on the Vietnam Memorial. For additional info see http://www.dayton-vva.org/larry/pictures.html 

Missing In Action 24 December 1972

Captain Paul Vernon Jackson III was from Hampton, Virginia and born on 2 September 1946. He was 26 and single when he was lost. Captain Jackson was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned as a civilian to the Ambassador to Laos. He supported General Vang Pao in northern Laos. On Christmas Eve Captain Jackson was controlling A-7 aircraft directing them onto a gun position 10 miles southwest of the Ban Ban Valley when he pulled his O-1 up sharply in front of an A-7 and they collided. It appears he was either hit by ground fire or lost track of the fighter during the battle. Captain Jackson crashed and was reported dead by another Raven FAC. The A-7 pilot ejected safely and was imprisoned in Hanoi until the prisoners were released in 1973. His body was not recovered and his name is located at 01W 105 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 7 June 1966

Major John Charles Jacobs was from Milhousen, Indiana and born on 10 July 1935. He was 30 and married when he died. Major Jacobs was a Jade Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He and First Lieutenant Charles Stephen Franco were flying O-1E S/N 55-4736 on a Visual Reconnaissance mission when they crashed seven miles north of Vung Tau. The crash was believed to have been caused by enemy action but it could not be confirmed. Major Jacobs had 10 years service and his body was recovered. His name is located at 08E 017 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 7 November 1966

Captain Donald Leroy Jacobsen was from Ida Grove, Iowa and born on 29 January 1937. He was 29 and married when he died. Captain Jacobsen was a Hound Dog Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He and First Lieutenant Gardner, an Army officer and a member of a Shining Brass team, were flying O-1E S/N 56-4200 in the Tiger Hound area of southern Laos when they were hit by enemy gunfire and crashed five miles south of Kham Duc. Captain Jacobsen was killed but Lt. Gardner survived with major injuries and was rescued. Captain Jacobsen had 10 years of service and his body was recovered. His name is located at 12E 037 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 25 June 1972

Captain Thomas Joseph Jozefowski was from Bayville, New York and born on 21 August 1947. He was 24 and single when he died. Captain Jozefowski was a Tum Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Tan Son Nhut airport Saigon. He and Captain David Lewis Yoakum were flying O-2A S/N 68-10982 when they were hit by ground fire and crashed near Phu My 12 miles north of Phu Cat. Both crewmembers died. Their bodies were recovered and his name is located at 01W 049 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 3 July 1970

Captain William Allen Justice was from Columbus, Ohio and born on 12 September 1941. He was 28 and single when he died. Captain Justice was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying over Cambodia out of Pleiku in OV-10A S/N 68-3788. Captain Justice was hit by ground fire near Sre Mat close to the Tonle Srepok River and crashed in flames. His body was recovered and his name is located at 09W 116 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 13 September 1966

First Lieutenant Howard Walker Kaiser was from Chesterfield, New Hampshire and born on 25 March 1941. He was 25 and single when he died. Lieutenant Kaiser was a Viper Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He was flying O-1G S/N 55-11918 searching for a missing Army helicopter near Katum in Phouc Long Province South Vietnam when he was reported missing. His body was recovered from the crash site south of Song Be*  but the cause could not be determined. Lieutenant Kaiser had 2 years of service and served 217 days in combat. There is a long tribute to him on the www.thewall-usa.com web site from a friend. His name is located at 10E 019 on the Vietnam Memorial.

* a correction to the FACHBCD.

Killed In Action 4 November 1969

Captain Charles Lee Karr was from Dearborn, Michigan and born on 11 January 1937. He was 32 and married when he died. Captain Karr was a Helix Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He and Major Harry Jay Coates were flying OV-10A S/N 67-14676 and marking a Viet Cong position 10 miles northeast of Quang Ngai South Vietnam when they failed to pull out of the dive and crashed close to the target. Their bodies were recovered from the scene by an Army helicopter. Captain Karr had 6 years of service and served 233 days in combat. His name is located at 16W 029 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 16 November 1968

Colonel Carl Frederick Karst was from Galatia, Kansas and was born on 27 October 1930. He was 43 and married when he was declared dead on 8 February 1974. Colonel Karst was a Snug Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nha Trang. He and Captain Nguyen X Quy VNAF were flying from Pleiku on a Visual Reconnaissance mission in O-1F S/N 57-2820 when they disappeared. A three-day search failed to find them. Colonel Karst was promoted while missing. Later a Vietnamese villager reported he had heard from an NVA Propaganda Team that the aircraft had been shot down by ground fire. Captain Quy had been killed and Colonel Karst had been captured then executed later in a village in northern Phu Bon Province. The story could not be verified. In 1983 a Vietnamese refugee turned in two bone fragments and Colonel Karst’s identity tag. In 1989 the Vietnamese turned over some remains that were identified as Colonel Karst’s which were buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His name is located at 39W 074 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 16 August 1971

Captain John William Kennedy was from Arlington, Virginia and born on 1 May 1947. He was 31 and single when he was declared dead on 6 July 1978. Captain Kennedy was a Jake Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-2A S/N 68-11030 from Chu Lai in support of the 23^rd Infantry Division when he was shot down by ground fire near Ton Bon 20 miles southwest of Quang Tri in Quang Tin Province South Vietnam. A search was conducted for a week and failed to find the aircraft. Captain Kennedy was one of the youngest FACs killed in Vietnam because he had received his wings in October 1970. He was promoted while missing and his remains were found during a field investigation. His name is located at 03W 132 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 14 December 1965

Captain James Carl Kindel was from East Aurora, New York and born on 18 October 1930. He was 35 and married when he died. He was a Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Pleiku. He and Captain Paul Joseph Simon were flying O-1E S/N 56-4191 from Dalat to support ground forces in Tuyen Duc Province South Vietnam when they were shot down and killed. Captain Kindel had 10 years of service and served 109 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 04E 016 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 11 March 1970

First Lieutenant Paul Francis Klug was from Grafton, West Virginia and born on 18 February 1944. He was 26 and single when he was lost. Lieutenant Klug was a Speedy Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He and Major James W. Clement were flying O-2A S/N 68-6884 over a choke point on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos when they failed to return. They were reported missing but eventually their bodies were discovered in Quang Nam Province South Vietnam and recovered. Captain Klug served 195 days in combat and his name is located at 13W 110 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 26 December 1969

Major David Lloyd Knott was from Richmond, California and born on 4 July 1929. He was 40 and married when he died. Major Knott was a Rash Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He was supporting the 1^st Air Cavalry Division and flying from Quan Loi in Bin Long Province South Vietnam. He took off on the day after Christmas in OV-10 S/N 67-14657 and was hit by ground fire shortly after take off and crashed. His body was recovered and he served 64 days in combat. His name is located at 15W 094 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 19 0ctober 1967

Captain Kenneth Dillard Krehbiel was from McPherson, Kansas and born on 20 January 1939. He was 28 and married when he died. Captain Krehbiel was a Rash Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nha Trang. He was flying from Camp English supporting the 1^st Air Cavalry Division in an O-1 when he crashed in Phu Yen Province South Vietnam. Captain Krebiel died in a hospital after he was cut out of the aircraft before it was consumed by fire. He was the top graduate in his flying school class and spent four years as an Instructor Pilot before his assignment as a FAC. A friend of his who went to flying school and FAC school with him put together the following story which is located at the www.thewall-usa.com web site. His story was left out of the primary source "Vietnam Air Losses". Captain Krehbiel attempted to land his O-1 after engine failure but hit some trees and crashed into a rice paddy. A Special Forces patrol reached the aircraft in time to remove him before it was destroyed by fire. His friend from flying school had a difficult time believing that his friend had an accident. Later he experienced the same problem except he was able to safely land the aircraft. An investigation revealed a crack in the throttle linkage, which resulted in engine failure and subsequent inspections revealed 40 other aircraft with the same problem. The Special Forces patrol leader removed Captain Krehbiel’s gloves and kept them. Later he tried to return them to his family and was refused. After Captain Krehbiel’s first granddaughter was born the Special Forces Officer and his daughter met at the Vietnam memorial and the gloves were returned in a tearful reunion. Captain Krehbiel had four years of service and served 143 days in combat. The story indicates that perhaps there is a plan for us even in times of great sadness which enabled us to include the information for this memorial to Captain Krehbiel. His name is located at 28E 040 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 17 January 1967

First Lieutenant Alva Ray Krogman was from Worland, Wyoming and born on 12 April 1941. He was 25 and single when he died. Lieutenant Krogman was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He was flying O-1F S/N 57-2789 and controlling an air strike against a gun position near Ban Muang Angkhan in southern Laos west of the DMZ. The aircraft was hit by 37 MM anti aircraft fire and crashed a few miles away near Ban Loumpoum. He was caught in a crossfire in an area known to FACs as "The Chokes". His body was not recovered and his name is located at 14E 045 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 5 November 1970

 First Lieutenant Peter Joseph Landry was from Quincy, Massachusetts and born on 24 November 1941. He was 28 and married when he died.  Lieutenant Landry was a Trail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He and Lieutenant Colonel Robert Keith Milbrath were flying O-2A S/N 68-10965 during a Visual Reconnaissance mission. They were 10 miles east of Hue in Thua Thien Province South Vietnam when they were shot down by small arms fire and crashed. Lieutenant Landry served 101 days in combat and his body was recovered. His name is located at 06W 040 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 28 April 1968

 Captain James Franklin Lang was from Tipton, Missouri and born on 22 November 1941. He was 26 and married when he died. He was a Rash Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. Captain Lang was flying a night mission in O-2A S/N 67-21367 west of Hue when he was shot down by ground fire. He was assigned to support the 1^st Air Cavalry Division but apparently was flying Visual Reconnaissance in the area a C-130 had been shot down when he was hit and crashed. A USAF helicopter flew to the crash site and recovered his body. He had four years of service and had served 82 days in combat. His name is located at 52E 039 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 25 December 1967

 Major Billy Eugene Lankford was from Dickson, Tennessee and born on 19 July 1930. He was 37 and married when he died. Major Lankford was a Helix Forward Air Controller and assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-2A S/N 67-21337 near the village of Ngoc Tri seven miles south of Chu Lai in Quang Tin Province South Vietnam when he was shot down on Christmas Day. He had 18 years of service and had served 58 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 32E 057 on the Vietnam Memorial.

John Arthur Lehecka

Killed In Action 10 January 1970

First Lieutenant John Arthur Lehecka was from Macon, Mississippi and born on 12 March 1942. He was 27 and married when he died. Lieutenant Lehecka was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-2A S/N 68-6863 with Army Sergeant First Class James Henry Zumbrun on a Prairie Fire mission when they were hit by small arms fire while controlling an air strike and crashed. They were 20 miles west of Dak To near the point where the borders of South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos meet. They crashed in Laos and their bodies were recovered. The Prairie Fire name replaced the Shining Brass operation and they conducted dangerous patrols along the Ho Chi Minh Trail organized by the Studies and Operations Group known as SOG. Lieutenant Lehecka had two years of service and served 166 days in combat. His name is located at 14W 023 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Died Of Wounds 9 February 1965

Captain Don Robert Lewis was from Holly Hill, Florida and born on 30 January 1936. He was 29 and married when he died. Captain Lewis had ten years of service and was a graduate of Florida State University where he attended on a swimming scholarship. After graduating from flying school he was a Fighter Interceptor pilot flying the F-86D/L. When he received his Forward Air Controller assignment he was also sent to Language School to learn Vietnamese so he could support South Vietnamese forces. He was flying his O-1F aircraft from Ban Me Tuot about 190 miles north of Saigon in Khanh Hoa Province South Vietnam when he was hit by enemy ground fire and wounded. Captain Lewis flew his aircraft to Ban Me Tuot and landed safely. He was medevaced to a hospital at Nha Trang but died of his wounds. He was awarded the Silver Star, Air Medal w/5 clusters and the Purple Heart. An ROTC award at Florida State University is named for him and he has been inducted into the Air Commando Hall of Fame. This information was contained in a tribute written by his youngest son on the www.thewall-usa.com web site. His name is located at 01E 087 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Harold Benton Lineberger

Missing In Action 29 January 1971

Colonel Harold Benton Lineberger was from Austin, Texas and born on 19 September 1934. He was 43 and married when he was declared dead on 29 June 1978. Colonel Lineberger was a Spike Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand and flying an OV-10A S/N 67-14638 out of Ubon Air Base Thailand. He was controlling an air strike on Route 13, the main road from Saigon through Cambodia and into Laos, which was used by the North Vietnamese to move men and supplies into South Vietnam. Colonel Lineberger was 20 miles northeast of the town of Kratie in Cambodia when he was shot down. He had destroyed several motorized sampans in the area two days before his death and he had returned to destroy a truck when he was hit and crashed. A search was conducted for several days but his body was not recovered. Colonel Lineberger was promoted while missing and his name is located at 05W 067 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 1 February 1969

Lieutenant Colonel Donald Alfred Luna was from Houston, Texas and born on 17 April 1938. He was 40 and single when he was declared dead on 29 November 1978. Lt. Col. Luna was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand and flying O-2A S/N 67-21432 out of Ubon AB Thailand.  He disappeared on a Visual Reconnaissance mission near the town of Muang Phine in southern Laos. The operation was known as Commando Hunt. His remains were discovered and returned from the crash site in Savannakhet 15 miles west of Tchepone. His name is located at 33W 033 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 24 May 1966

Captain Joseph Anthony Machowski was from Winsted, Connecticut and born on 5 February 1939. He was 27 and married when he died. Captain Machowski was a Baron Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Pleiku. He was flying O-1F S/N 57-6028 near the town of Plei Toun 20 miles west of Pleiku when he was shot down by ground fire. He was thought to be wounded or dead before the crash. Captain Machowski had eight years of service and had served 335 days in combat. His tour would have been finished in 30 days. His body was recovered and his name is located at 07E 108 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 23 August 1968

Captain Harreld Pirtle Martin was from Cromwell, Kentucky and born on 8 March 1941. He was 27 and single when he died. Captain Martin was a Lopez Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was an O-2A FAC who was killed on the ground in Quang Nam Province South Vietnam. Although many FACs were subject to rocket, mortar or artillery fire on a regular basis few lost their lives because of it. Captain Martin had six years of service and served in combat 207 days. His body was recovered and his name is located at 47W 048.

Missing In Action 2 May 1969

Major Phillip Louis Mascari was from Caldwell, New Jersey and born on 3 December 1944. He was 34 and single when he was declared dead on 2 April 1979. Major Mascari was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He was flying O-2A S/N 67-21305 on a mission at dusk near Tavouac in southern Laos 20 miles southwest of the A Shau Valley when he disappeared. Major Mascari was a former F-4 pilot who volunteered for a FAC tour and was flying his 33^rd mission as a FAC. His body was not recovered and his parents attempted to discover his fate. A Laotian villager told them that he was buried near his aircraft. Major Mascari was promoted while missing and his name is located at 26W 100 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Andrew Matyas

Killed In Action 18 February 1968

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Matyas was from Camden, New Jersey and born on 21 February 1922. He was 45 and married when he died. He was a Bomber Forward Air Controller assigned to the 22^nd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Binh Thuy. He was assigned to fly O-1 aircraft but he served only 17 days in combat. He is another FAC who was killed by rocket, mortar or artillery attack on the ground. Lt. Col. Matyas was a bomber pilot with 22 years of service who had served in WW II, Korea and Vietnam. He earned the Bronze Star w/V, the Air Medal with three clusters and the Purple Heart. His body was recovered and his name is located at 40E 010 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 22 April 1965

Major William Walte McAllister was from Hawthorne, California and born on 14 December 1928. He was 36 and married when he died. Major McAllister was a Baron Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Pleiku. Major McAllister had 16 years of service. His assignment was to O-1 aircraft and his body was not recovered. His name is located at 01E 106 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 27 November 1968

Major Edward Ernest McBride was from Hattiesburg, Mississippi and born on 20 December 1930. He was 37 and married when he died. Major McBride was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned to the Ambassador to Laos as a civilian. He flew the O-1 in support of General Vang Pao against the Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese in northern Laos. Most of the fighting took place in an area known as the Plain of Jars. Major McBride had 16 years of service and served 96 days in combat. His alma mater named a library after him and has a room dedicated to him also. He was nicknamed "Hoss" and his body was recovered. His name is located at 38W 077 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 6 October 1972

Lieutenant Colonel Carl Ottis McCormick was from Peoria, Illinois and born on 2 January 1928. He was 44 and married when he died. Lt. Col. McCormick was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bruce Edward Boltze USMC as Observer were flying OV-10A S/N 67-14673 offshore in Military Region I directing naval gunfire on enemy positions when the aircraft was observed to explode and crash into the sea 12 miles north of Da Nang. CWO Boltze had been shot down in another incident. Neither body was recovered. Lt. Col. McCormick’s name is located at 01W 081 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 31 December 1964

Colonel Kurt Casey McDonald was from Seaside, California and born on 19 August 1934. He was 48 and single when he was declared dead on 23 August 1982. Colonel McDonald was a Forward Air Controller assigned to the 366^th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Da Nang. He and Sergeant First Class Edward Ray Dodge US Army took off in O-1F S/N 57-2823 on New Years Eve intending to land at a Special Forces Camp at A Shau with another O-1. The weather was poor and as the two aircraft turned up a valley about 20 miles north of Da Nang Col. McDonald’s O-1 disappeared into some low clouds. They were never found. There was an uncorroborated report that they were captured. His name is located at 01E 080 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 31 August 1970

Captain Michael John McGerty was from Fullerton, California and born on 5 November 1943. He was 26 and married when he died. Captain McGerty was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He and Master Sergeant Charles Howard Gray US Army were flying OV-10A S/N 68-3798 on a FAC mission 60 miles southwest of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province South Vietnam when they were shot down by ground fire. Their bodies were recovered. Captain McGerty had served 221 days in combat. His name is located at 07W 028 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 28 July 1964

Captain Homer Cleo McIntyre Jr. was from Washington, D.C. and born on 7 June 1934. He was 30 and married when he died. He was a Forward Air Controller who was killed by small arms fire on the ground. He may have been with an Army unit in Go Cong Province South Vietnam. He had 12 years of service and his body was recovered. His name is located at 01E 060 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 22 May 1970

Captain Richard W. Meacham Jr. was from Miami, Florida and born on 9 June 1944. He was 25 and married when he died. Captain Meacham was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He and an observer believed to be from the VNAF were flying O-2A S/N 68-11002 near Khe Sanh in Qaung Tri Province South Vietnam when they were shot down by ground fire and neither survived. Captain Meacham had 3 years of service and served 121 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 10W 081 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed in Action 2 March 1966

Captain Paul Albert Meiners was from Kaysville, Utah and born on 5 December 1929. He was 36 and married when he died. Captain Meiners was a Gombey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Pleiku. He was flying O-1E S/N 56-2529 with Captain Marshall Myron Holt Jr. on a Visual Reconnaissance mission 12 miles south of Bon Son when they were shot down near the coast of Binh Dinh Province South Vietnam. Captain Meiners had 10 years of service. His body was recovered and his name is located at 05E 096 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 2 January 1967

Major George Bruce Menges was from Maple Heights, Ohio and born on 14 September 1938. He was 40 and single when he was declared dead on 6 November 1978. Major Menges was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He was flying O-1F S/N 57-2858 when he was shot down by automatic weapons fire Near Ban Sappeng Laos. His remains were eventually recovered and he was promoted while missing. His name is located at 13E 110 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 5 November 1970

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Keith Milbrath was from Okabena, Minnesota and born on 25 September 1925. He was 45 and married when he died. Lt. Col. Milbrath was a Trail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He and First Lieutenant Peter Joseph Landry were flying O-2A S/N 68-10965 during a Visual Reconnaissance mission. They were 10 miles east of Hue in Thua Thien Province South Vietnam when they were shot down by small arms fire and crashed. Lt. Col. Milbrath had served 100 days in combat and his body was recovered. His name is located at 06W 040 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed  21 April 1971

Major Herbert Miller was from Brunswick, Georgia and born on 31 July 1931. He was 39 and married when he died. Major Miller was a Barky Forward Air Controller assigned to the 504^th Tactical Air Support Group at Bien Hoa. He and Major William Esley Wood were flying OV-10A S/N 67-14645 on a non-operational flight when they crashed in Quang Tri Province South Vietnam. He had served 152 days in combat and his body was recovered. His name is located at 03W 001 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 23 December 1972

Captain Harold Louis Mischler was from Osborne, Kansas and born on 9 January 1946. He was 26 and single when he died. Captain Mischler was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned to the Ambassador to Laos as a civilian. He flew O-1 aircraft supporting General Vang Pao in northern Laos against the Pathet Lao and NVA forces. Captain Mischler was attacking a gun position when he was shot down and killed. Most of the fighting took place in an area known as the Plain of Jars. He served 225 days in combat and his body was recovered. His name is located at 01W 104 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 20 December 1963

First Lieutenant Donald Allan Mollicone was from New York, New York and born on 23 October 1937. He was 26 and married when he died. Lt. Mollicone was flying in O-1F 57-2831 with First Lieutenant Billy John Conley and assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa when the aircraft crashed in the Mekong Delta region. Lt. Mollicone had three years of service. His days in combat are unknown. His body was recovered and his name is located at 01E 039 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 29 April 1971

Captain Dennis Edward Morgan was from Niagara Falls, New York and born on 20 September 1944. He was 26 and married when he died. Captain Morgan was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned to the Ambassador to Laos as a civilian. He flew O-1 aircraft in support of General Vang Pao in northern Laos against the Pathet Lao and the NVA. Most of the fighting took place in an area known as the Plain of Jars. Captain Morgan served 233 days in combat and that included his earlier work supporting Republic of Korea forces in South Vietnam. His body was recovered and his name is located at 03W 018 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 27 January 1973

Captain George William Morris Jr. was from Alhambra, California and born on 16 September 1946. He was 31 and single when he was declared dead on 23 August 1978. Captain Morris was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He and First Lieutenant Mark Allan Peterson were flying OV-10A S/N 68-3806 when they were diverted to a Search and Rescue mission for an F-4 that went down near Quang Tri. As they approached the site at 6,000 feet they were hit by an SA-7 missile and ejected safely. Observers saw two good parachutes and one of the F-4 crew that survived as a POW reported that he saw about 30 Viet Cong firing at the parachutes as they came down. Lt. Peterson made contact on his survival radio but Captain Morris was never contacted. The continuing rescue attempt failed and they were listed as missing. Their bodies were not recovered and they were the last combat loss in South Vietnam before the final cease fire. His name is located at 01W 112 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 25 March 1967

First Lieutenant John Wayne Mower was from Wichita Falls, Texas and born on 4 March 1940. He was 26 and married when he died. Lieutenant Mower was an Elliot Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nha Trang. He and Sergeant Albert Clifton Files US Army were flying O-1E S/N 56-2509 from a landing site called Plateau 20 miles northeast of Kontum in the Central Highlands when they were shot down while taking off. Lt. Mower had been a C-141 pilot prior to his FAC tour and had three years of service. He had served 56 days in combat and their bodies were recovered. His name is located at 17E 046 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 18 January 1970

First Lieutenant Steven Al Mueller was from Sylvan Grove, Kansas and born on 7 September 1944. He was 25 and single when he died. Lt. Mueller was an Elliot Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Cam Ranh Bay. He was flying O-2A S/N 68-10864 over a target at 1,500 feet 35 miles west of Pleiku close to the border with Laos when he was hit by small arms fire. Lt. Mueller flew east but was killed when he crashed near Plei Djereng. He had two years of service and served 256 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 14W 044 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 4 October 1965

Captain John David Musgrove was from Eugene, Oregon and born on 24 March 1928. He was 37 and married when he died. Captain Musgrove was a Rash Forward Air Controller supporting the 1^st Air Cavalry Division. He went down in Binh Dinh Province South Vietnam and his body was eventually recovered. He had 14 years of service and his name is located at 12E 106 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 13 August 1965

Captain George Harold Norton was from Oneida, New York and born on 18 October 1929. He was 35 and married when he died. Captain Norton was a Bird Dog Forward Air Controller assigned to the 6253^rd Combat Support Group at Nha Trang. He and Airman Second Class Jerry Wayne Toon were taking off in O-1F S/N 57-6274 when some ordinance fell off the aircraft causing a crash, which killed both crewmembers. Captain Norton had 14 years of service and his body was recovered. His name is located at 02E 052 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Captain Edgar Erwin Nuschke was from Austin, Pennsylvania and born on 17 May 1922. He was 44 and married when he died. Captain Nuschke was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was a veteran of the Korean War and had 22 years of service. His nickname was "Eddie". Captain Nuschke’s body was recovered from An Xugen Province South Vietnam and his name is located at 14E 064 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 29 April 1970

First Lieutenant Jose Hector Ortiz was from Rolling Hills, Puerto Rico and born on 8 September 1946. He was 23 and married with one year of service when he died. Lt. Ortiz was an Issue Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron and flew out of Chu Chi supporting the 25^th Infantry Division. His OV-10A S/N 68-3824 was hit by ground fire on take off and crashed about four miles southwest of Chu Chi in Hua Nghia Province South Vietnam. Another FAC, Captain Wendell Lee Brown, was also killed. Both bodies were recovered. Lt. Ortiz’s name is located at 11W 069 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 10 June 1966

Captain Dan Bruen Packard was from Miami, Florida and born on 10 September 1933. He was 32 and married when he died. Captain Packard was a Hound Dog Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-1E 56-4178 when he was lost near Ban Vangthon a few miles west of the DMZ. He may have been hit by ground fire. Captain Packard had 12 years of service and served 291 days in combat. His body was eventually recovered and his name is located at 08E 031 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 21 October 1968

Captain Anthony Joseph Pearson was from Olympia, Washington and born on 13 June 1941. He was 27 and married when he died. Captain Pearson was a Sleepytime Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He and Captain Ralph Robert Wensinger were controlling an air strike in O-2A S/N 68-6870 near the Perfume River 10 miles south of Saigon when they were shot down and killed. Captain Pearson had eight years of service and served 132 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 40W 014 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 27 January 1973

Captain Mark Allan Peterson was from Canton, Ohio and born on 14 May 1949. He was 30 and single when he died, Captain Peterson was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He and Captain George William Morris Jr. were flying OV-10A S/N 68-3806 when they were diverted to a Search and Rescue mission for an F-4 that went down near Quang Tri. As they approached the site at 6,000 feet they were hit by an SA-7 missile and ejected safely. Observers saw two good parachutes and one of the F-4 crew that survived as a POW reported that he saw about 30 Viet Cong firing at the parachutes as they came down. Lt. Peterson made contact on his survival radio but Captain Morris was never contacted. The continuing rescue attempt failed and they were listed as missing. Their bodies were not recovered and they were the last combat loss in South Vietnam before the final cease-fire. Captain Peterson was an Air Force Academy graduate. He was declared dead and his name is located at 01W 112 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 2 May 1970

Captain Jerry Newton Phillips was from Winter Haven, Florida and born on 20 August 1930. He was 39 and married when he died. Captain Phillips was a Nile Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He and Captain Rodney Harold Stone were flying O-2A S/N 68-11064 over Cambodia in a climbing turn when they collided with and Army AH-1G from the 11^th Armored Cavalry, which was in a descending orbit. The helicopter’s rotor sliced off the O-2’s port wing and damaged the cockpit as the rotor hub came off and both aircraft crashed killing all four crewmen. Captain Phillips had 16 years of service and served 274 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 11W 087 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 16 April 1969

Captain Leon Joseph Pierce was from Englewood, Colorado and born on 20 August 1939. He was 29 and married when he died. Captain Pierce was a Rake Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He was flying O-2A S/N 67-21437 with Captain William Omer Burkett and was marking a bunker complex for an air strike when it was hit by ground fire and crashed near Long Thanh 15 miles east of Saigon. Captain Pierce served 161 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 27W 096 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 2 September 1968

Major Jack Clare Plumb was from McKeesport, Pennsylvania and born on 15 October 1931. He was 36 and married when he died. Major Plumb was a Helix Forward Air Controller and assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-2A S/N 67-21315 on a FAC mission when he suffered engine failure and was killed in the crash in Ouang Ngai Province South Vietnam. Major Plumb was supporting the Americal Division He had 14 years of service and served 193 days in combat. Major Plumb’s body was recovered and his name is located at 45W 028 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 13 August 1970

Captain John Parker Powell was from Dayton, Ohio and born on 1 October 1939. He was 30 and single when he died. Captain Powell was a Barky Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron ad Da Nang. He was controlling an air strike flying OV-10A S/N 67-14660 over the DMZ when he had mid air collision with a strike aircraft. They were attacking a .50 Caliber position near Kinh Mon. The strike aircraft landed safely but Captain Powell crashed in Quang Tri Province South Vietnam. He was formerly a weather pilot and was serving his 366th day in combat on a tour extension when he was killed. His body was recovered and his name is located at 08W 108 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 11 May 1970

Lieutenant Colonel Jerry William Pyle was from Richland, Kentucky and born on 29 August 1930. He was 39 and married when he died. Lt. Col. Pyle was a Lopez Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-2A S/N 67-21341 supporting the Marines when he spotted a bunker and a patrol was sent to investigate. The patrol came under fire and Lt. Col. Pyle was controlling an air strike when he was hit by .50 Caliber ground fire near Hoi An about 12 miles southeast of Da Nang. A battle was fought over the aircraft and his body was successfully recovered. He is credited with saving the patrol. Lt. Col. Pyle had 18 years of service and served 110 days in combat. His name is located at 10W 019 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 18 October 1965

Colonel  Harley  Boyd  Pyles  was  from  Enon, Ohio and born on 20 February 1930. He was 43 and married when he was declared dead on 4 February 1974. Colonel Pyles was a Bird Dog Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He and Captain Winfield Wade Sission USMC took off from Kham Duc Special Forces Camp in O-1E S/N 56-2600 to lead a flight of helicopters carrying ARVN troops to a landing zone in enemy territory. Then they controlled an air strike, made a Bomb Damage Assessment and then started back to their base. They were operating above a low cloud base when they disappeared about 10 miles from Da Nang. Captain Sisson was reported as a POW but never returned. It has been reported their mission was supporting a Shining Brass patrol on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Colonel Pyles was promoted while missing and his remains were eventually returned. His name is located at 02E 125 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 23 October 1968

Major Marion Eugene Reed was from Winter Garden, Florida and born on 5 March 1932. He was 36 and married when he died. Major Reed was a Barky Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-2A S/N 67-21394 and marking a target in the DMZ buffer zone within two miles of the coast in Quang Tri Province South Vietnam. Major Reed was hit by ground fire as he rolled in on the target and killed in the crash. He had 14 years of service and served 123 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 40W 025 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 24 April 1970

Captain Gomer David Reese was from Scarsdale, New York and born on 24 July 1942. He was 27 and single when he was lost. He was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned to the Ambassador to Laos as a civilian. Captain Reese flew O-1 aircraft in support of General Vang Pao against the Pathet Lao and NVA forces in northern Laos. Most of the fighting took place in an area known as the Plain of Jars. His body was not recovered and his name is located at 11W 047 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 20 November 1969

Colonel Walter A. Renelt was from Wilmont, South Dakota and born on 24 April 1929. He was 40 and married when he was lost. Col. Renelt was a Lopez Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-2A S/N 67-21301 with Captain John Robert Baldridge Jr. They were checking roads and trails 20 miles west of Kham Duc when the aircraft was shot down in Laos. His body was not recovered and he was promoted while missing. His name is located at 16W 103 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 9 March 1969

Captain Robert F. Rex was from Odebolt, Iowa and born on 28 November 1941. He was 27 and single when he died. Captain Rex was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He and Staff Sergeant Tim Leroy Walters US Army were flying O-2A S/N 67-21425 on a Prairie Fire mission supporting a reconnaissance team near Ban Nathon 10 miles west of the DMZ when they were shot down by ground fire. A ground team inspected the wreckage but was unable to recover the bodies due to enemy action. Sgt. Walters’ remains were eventually returned but not those of Captain Rex. He had four years of service and his name is located at 30W 095 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 23 August 1968

Captain Lon Davis Richards was from North Columbia, Missouri and born on 2 August 1939. He was 29 and married when he died. Captain Richards was a Helix Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-2A S/N 67-21348 from Chu Lai and controlling an air strike on a series of enemy bunkers and trenches when he was hit by ground fire. Captain Richards was flying at 2,000 feet and may have been wounded because he did not escape the aircraft before it crashed. He had six years of service and was supporting the Americal Division. His body was recovered and his name is located at 47 W 052 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 19 March 1968

Chief Master Sergeant Victor Romero was from San Francisco, California and born on 11 December 1947. He was 31 and single when he was declared dead on 9 October 1979. CMS Romero was a Carbon Outlaw Tactical Air Control Party Radio Operator assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nha Trang. He and Colonel Charles Edward Blair, a Walt FAC, were flying O-1E S/N 51-4899 supporting the 1^st Air Cavalry Division. Apparently this was a normal flight because a tribute by another Radio Operator indicated CMS Romero was scheduled for another flight that day but they had exchanged flights. They were performing Visual Reconnaissance 65 miles west of Nha Trang over mountains when they disappeared. The wreckage was discovered on the slopes of Yook Nam Rmay, a 4,731 ft. mountain near Duc Xuyen in Thua Thien Province South Vietnam. Their bodies were not recovered and CMS Romero was promoted while missing. His name is located at 45E 035 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 3 December 1971

Captain Charles Pierce Russell was from Hopkinsville, Kentucky and born on 11 July 1941. He was 30 and single when he died. He was a Nail Forward Air Controller before volunteering as a Raven assigned to the Ambassador to Laos. He was a dentist who surrendered his commission as a Captain to become a Second Lieutenant attending flying school. It is unknown how long he served as a Nail FAC before his tour in Laos as a Raven FAC. He flew the O-1 aircraft in support of General Vang Pao against the Pathet Lao and NVA forces in northern Laos. Most of the fighting took place in an area known as the Plain of Jars. His nickname was naturally "Doc" and he provided dental treatment to Laotian children. His body was recovered and his name is located at 02W 083 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 30 October 1971

First Lieutenant Robert Edward Ryan Jr. was from Hingham, Massachusetts and born on 5 August 1947. He was 24 and married when he died. 1^st Lt. Ryan was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He was flying O-2A S/N 67-21439 near Savannakhet in southern Laos when he was hit by ground fire and crashed. His body was recovered and he served 260 days in combat. His name is located at 02W 056 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 9 June 1970

Captain John Leslie Ryder was from Chisholm, Minnesota and born on 5 July 1946. He was 29 and married when he was declared dead on 2 June 1976. Captain Ryder was a Mike Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Cam Ranh Bay. He and Captain Barry Wayne Hilbrick US Army Special Forces took off from Pleiku for Ben Het in O-1F S/N 57-2890. The plan was to fly a Visual Reconnaissance mission and eventually land at Dak Seng Camp. However the weather was poor and they failed to maintain radio contact. A search could not be conducted until the next day. Their bodies were not recovered. He was promoted while missing and his name is located at 09W 035 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 12 August 1971

First Lieutenant John Michael Rydlewicz was from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and born on 19 April 1947. He was 24 and married when he died. Lt. Rydlewicz was a Rash Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He was flying OV-10A S/N 67-14662 when he was shot down 15 miles northwest of Xa Phan Thiet in Binh Thuy Province South Vietnam. He earned the Purple Heart and the Air Medal. His body was recovered and his name is located at 03W 130.

Crashed 7 July 1965

First Lieutenant Thomas Andrew Sanders was from Massapequa, New York and born on 10 February 1939. He was 26 and married when he died. 1^st Lt. Sanders was assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He was flying O-1F S/N 57-2944 and crashed on take off in Khanh Hoa Province South Vietnam. Lt. Sanders was killed but the other crewman survived. His body was recovered and his name is located at 02E 030 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 30 June 1970

Captain William Stephen Sanders was from Winthrop, Maine and born on 27 April 1943. He was 27 and married when he died. Captain Sanders was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He and Technical Sergeant Albert H. Mostello US Army were flying OV-10A S/N 68-3807 below 1500 feet on a photography mission supporting a reconnaissance team when they were shot down by 37 MM ground fire. They were flying near Ban Kapay just west of the DMZ in southern Laos when they were hit in the cockpit. Captain Sanders was probably wounded because he did not eject. T/Sgt Mostello ejected safely and a SAR was initiated. The first attempt to rescue him failed when the HH-3 had to withdraw due to heavy ground fire. Another attempt resulted in the loss of an HH-53 and its entire crew. A third attempt using tear gas to force the enemy back was successful. The remains of the helicopter crew were eventually recovered but not Captain Sanders’ body. His name is located at 09W 107 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 8 September 1967

Captain Albert Francis Sayer Jr. was from Fort Thomas, Kentucky and born on 22 October 1936. He was 30 and married when he died. Captain Sayer was a Jade Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He was first assigned to support SIGMA teams and then to the 1^st Australian Task Force at Vung Tau. He was flying O-1E S/N 56-4177 with Captain J. J. Cappel when they were shot down by automatic weapons fire from Viet Cong troops. It occurred at dusk and so rescue wasn’t possible until the next day. Captain Sayer was severely wounded and cautioned Captain Cappel to remain quiet so they would not be discovered by the enemy troops. A rescue team arrived the next day and Captain Cappel survived but Captain Sayer died. Captain Cappel was surprised that Captain Sayer was able to maintain silence despite his extensive wounds ensuring rescue. Captain Sayer had 6 years of service and served 247 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 26E 038 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 12 May 1968

Captain Griffin Eli Scarborough was from Greenville, North Carolina and born on 25 March 1927. He was 41 and single when he died. Captain Scarborough was a Helix Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-2A S/N 67-21336 with First Lieutenant Omar David Jones US Army supporting the 82^nd Airborne Division. Captain Scarborough was controlling an air strike near Ngoc Tavak five miles south of Kham Duc and was hit by ground fire as he dove the aircraft to fire a marking rocket. Neither survived as the aircraft crashed in flames. He had 22 years of service and served 286 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 59E 015 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Died Of Wounds 8 October 1966

Captain William Lee Schultz was from Chanute, Kansas and born on 19 March 1937. He was 29 and married when he died. Captain Schultz was a Lopez Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-1E 56-2610 controlling an air strike about five miles south of Da Nang when he was hit by small arms fire from VC troops. Captain Schultz made an immediate crash landing in Quang Nam Province South Vietnam and was picked up by a USAF helicopter but later died from his injuries. He had six years of service and his name is located at 11E 063 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Died Of Wounds 25 March 1964

Captain Uwe-Thorsten Scobel was from Hyattsville, Maryland and born on 11 March 1937. He was 27 and single when he died. Captain Scobel was a Forward Air Controller who died in Military Region 4, which is the southern part of South Vietnam. Captain Scobel had four years of service but little is known of the circumstances of his death other than he died of wounds and his body was recovered. He may have been involved in a secret program because he traveled widely as a child since he graduated from the Japan American School. His name is located at 01E 047 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 17 March 1971

First Lieutenant Stephen Russell Scrivener was from Tampa, Florida and born on 10 October 1944. He was 26 and single when he was lost. 1^st Lt. Scrivener was a Hammer Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He and Captain Douglas Milton Seely were flying O-2A S/N 68-6860 over the Ho Chi Minh Trail near Ban Bamran in southern Laos when they were shot down by 37 MM ground fire. They were declared missing and their bodies were not recovered. It’s ironic that they were flying together, died together and their names are next to each other on this list. Lt. Scrivener’s name is located at 04W 055 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 17 March 1971

Captain Douglas Milton Seeley was from Marietta, Ohio and born on 25 January 1943. He was 28 and married when he was lost. Captain Seeley was a Hammer Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He and First Lieutenant Stephen Russell Scrivener were flying O-2A S/N 68-6860 over the Ho Chi Minh Trail near Ban Bamran in southern Laos when they were shot down by 37 MM ground fire. They were declared missing and their bodies were not recovered. It’s ironic that they were flying together, died together and their names are next to each other on this list. Captain Seeley’s name is located at 04W 056 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 25 December 1967

Major Jerry Alan Sellers was from Altha, Florida and born or 27 April 1935. He was 32 and married when he died. Major Sellers was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was killed when O-2A 67-21390 was hit by automatic weapons fire in the DMZ buffer zone and crashed three miles south of the village of Thon Can Son. He had 12 years of service and served in combat for 125 days. Major Sellers was a graduate of Florida State University and flew tanker aircraft prior to his FAC tour. He was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross for deliberately provoking enemy ground fire to locate their position. His body was recovered and his name is located at 32E 060 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 30 October 1968

Captain Marlin Lynn Siegwalt was from Schenectady, New York and born on 30 March 1937. He was 31 and married when he died. Captain Siegwalt was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned to the Ambassador to Laos as a civilian supporting General Vang Pao in the Barrel Roll area of northern Laos against the Pathet Lao and NVA. Most of the fighting took place in an area known as the Plain of Jars. He had 4 years of service and served 344 days in combat. He had only 21 days until his tour was scheduled to end. His body was recovered and his name is located at 40W 060 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 14 December 1965

Captain Paul Joseph Simon was from Anderson, California and born on 11 December 1931. He was 34 and married when he died. He was a Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Pleiku. He and Captain James Carl Kindel were flying O-1E S/N 56-4191 from Dalat to support ground forces in Tuyen Duc Province South Vietnam when they were shot down and killed. Captain Simon had 12 years of service and served 254 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 04E 015 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 6 April 1967

Captain William George Sipos was from West Point, New York and born on 4 October 1941. He was 25 and married when he died. Captain Sipos was a Lopez Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-1E S/N 51-5074 with Captain John Robert Minutoli US Army as Observer over Quang Nam Province South Vietnam. They were covering a special operation 15 miles west of Da Nang when they were shot down and killed. Captain Sipos was a graduate of West Point Military Academy and had 3 years of service with 67 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 17E 111 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 17 May 1968

Major Wilbur Arnold Skaar was from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin and born on 23 August 1930. He was 37 and married when he died. Major Skarr was a Cider Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nha Trang. He was flying O-1F S/N 57-2980 15 miles west of Kontum when he was hit by ground fire while controlling an air strike on an enemy automatic weapons position and killed in the crash. Major Skarr had 16 years of service and served 199 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 62E 012 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 12 December 1970

Colonel Owen George Skinner was from Lima, Ohio and born on 18 November 1933. He was 45 and married when he was declared dead on 20 November 1978. Colonel Skinner was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He and Major Thomas Allen Duckett were flying O-2A S/N 67-21428 at night over the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. They were operating in the same area as a sophisticated B-57 fitted with the latest bombing equipment when they crashed. It was assumed the B-57 and the O-2 had a collision causing the loss of both aircraft. The B-57 crew was recovered but the O-2 was listed as missing. The following day the O-2 was found largely intact at the crash site and what was thought to be a parachute was spotted. Radio contact was made and beepers were heard but could not be tracked. The O-2 crew including Colonel Skinner was never seen again and promoted while missing. His body was not recovered and his name is located at 06W 117 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 28 December 1970

Captain James Leonard Smith was from Larsen, Wisconsin and born on 11 February 1944. He was 26 and single when he died. Captain Smith was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He and his Observer, Staff Sergeant Roger Lynn Teeter US Army Special Forces, were flying OV-10A S/N 67-14661 in the Steel Tiger area of southern Laos supporting a reconnaissance team. The aircraft was thought to have been hit by anti aircraft fire near Ban Bamran just west of the DMZ and they died in the crash. Captain Smith was serving his second Vietnam tour and had served 176 days in combat on his second tour. Their bodies were recovered and Captain Smith’s name is located at 05W 013 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 30 May 1968

Major Lewis Philip Smith II was from Bellefonte, Pennsylvania and born on 2 January 1943. He was 35 and single when he was declared dead on 21 June 1978. Major Smith was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-2A S/N 67-21405 in the Steel Tiger area of southern Laos when he was lost. The aircraft was believed hit by anti aircraft fire near Ban Daktring about 25 miles southwest of Kham Duc. A beeper was heard but no trace of Major Smith was found. He was a graduate of Penn State University and his body was not recovered. He was promoted while missing and his name is located at 62W 002 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 6 September 1967

Lieutenant Colonel Norris Ray Smith was from Birmingham, Alabama and born on 2 September 1921. He was 46 and married when he died. Lt. Col. Smith was assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nha Trang supporting South Vietnamese forces. His previous assignment was at Salinas, Kansas in Strategic Air Command. Lt. Col. Smith was flying O-1F S/N 57-2978 and crashed in an accident near Pleiku. He had 26 years of service and served 38 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 26E 017 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 22 June 1966

Lieutenant Colonel Warren Parker Smith Jr. was from Pasadena, Texas and born on 13 December 1929. He was 44 and married when he was declared dead on 8 January 1974. Lt. Col. Smith was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He was flying O-1F S/N 55-4653 when he was shot down by automatic weapons fire near Ban Muong Sen in Savannakhet Province Laos. Another pilot saw him make a controlled landing near Route 911 but thought he was slumped over the controls. A rescue helicopter reached the aircraft an hour later but the cockpit was empty. Another search for him had to be abandoned due to intense ground fire. Lt. Col. Smith was called "Willie Pete Smith" and promoted while missing. His body was not recovered and his name is located at 08E 077 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 23 July 1966

Captain William Ward Smith was from Searcy, Arkansas and born on 15 January 1934. He was 32 and married when he died. Captain Smith was a Bird Dog Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-1E S/N 57-6268 supporting the Marines when he collided with a Marine helicopter and crashed near a hill called the Rockpile. Captain Smith had 12 years of service and previously flew C-119 and B-47 aircraft and worked on the Thor Missile in the Space Division. He earned the Silver Star, a Purple Heart and the Air Medal. Captain Smith was nicknamed "Mike" and attended Arkansas Polytechnic College and Texas Tech University. His body was not recovered and his name is located at 09E 064 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 5 July 1968

Major Herman Smits Jr. was from Scranton, Iowa and born on 21 December 1929. He was 38 and married when he died. Very little is known about the death of Major Smits except he was flying an O-1 aircraft supporting the Republic of Korea Tiger Division in Phu Yen Province South Vietnam. He was a Tom Forward Air Controller, had 20 years of service and served 190 days in combat. His observer Major B. F. Hill survived and was rescued. His name is located at 53W 023 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 25 January 1967

Major Wilbur Thomas Stair was from Allentown, Pennsylvania and born on 20 March 1929. He was 37 and married when he died. Major Stair was a Viper Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He was flying with another crewmember in O-1F S/N 55-4730 on a Visual Reconnaissance mission supporting a South Vietnamese operation when they were involved in a mid air collision. Major Stair had 16 years of service and served 216 days in combat. His body was recovered and the crewmember survived the crash. His name is located at 14E 077 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed on 9 May 1968

Major Robert E. Staley was from Phoenix, Arizona and born on 3 September 1927. He was 40, single and assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. Major Staley was killed when his aircraft lost power on take off from Ubon AB and crashed in Thailand.   He was a Nail Forward Air Controller and died with a Forward Air Navigator Captain George J. Bedrossian in O-2A S/N 67-21399. His body was recovered and his name is located at 57E 033 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 2 May 1970

Captain Rodney Harold Stone was from Big Stone Gap. Virginia and born on 3 November 1943. He was 26 and married when he died. Captain Stone was a Nile Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He and Captain Jerry Newton Phillips were flying O-2A S/N 68-11064 over Cambodia in a climbing turn when they collided with and Army AH-1G from the 11^th Armored Cavalry, which was in a descending orbit. The helicopter’s rotor sliced off the O-2’s port wing and damaged the cockpit as the rotor hub came off and both aircraft crashed killing all four crewmen. Captain Stone had 3 years of service and served 288 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 11W 088 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 28 April 1965

Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Edward Storz was from South Ozone Park, New York and born on 21 October 1933. He was 36 and married when he was declared dead 23 April 1970. Lt. Col. Storz was a Bird Dog Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. Nothing is known of the circumstances of his death except he was lost in North Vietnam probably due to ground fire. He was a Prisoner of War and died while captured. His remains were returned and his name is located at 01E 110 on the Vietnam Memorial.

First Lieutenant Kennard Errol Svanoe was from Fremont, Ohio and born on 29 March 1945. He was 24 and single when he died. He was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was further assigned to Chu Lai at LZ Bayonet. He was flying O-2A S/N 67-21319 with Captain Jackie L. Dickens when it was shot down 20 miles northwest of Da Nang in Thua Thien Province South Vietnam. They were supporting the 101^st Airborne Division. Lt. Svanoe had 1 year of service and served 49 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 23W 048 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 22 November 1968

Major Richard C. Swift was from Des Moines, Iowa and born on 14 July 1931. He was 37 and single when he died. He was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. Major Swift and Captain Ivan J. Campbell were flying O-2A S/N 68-6859 when the aircraft struck a tree and crashed. His body was recovered and his name is at 38W 039 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 9 November 1966

Missing In Action 6 July 1971

Captain Daniel Wayne Thomas was from Danbury, New Jersey and born on 4 September 1946. He was 33 and single when he was lost. Captain Thomas was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He and Captain Donald Gene "Butch" Carr US Army took off in OV-10A S/N 67-14634 for an orientation flight for Captain Carr over southern Laos to study sites for cross border infiltration and intelligence operations 20 miles east of Muang Fandeng. The weather was poor and they failed to return. A five-day search failed to locate any trace of them or the aircraft though there was a report of an OV-10 pilot in captivity about that time. Their bodies were never recovered. Captain Thomas served 118 days in combat and his name is located at 03W 102 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 10 September 1966

Captain Edmund Francis Thornell was from Redondo Beach, California and born on 10 September 1933. He was single and killed on his 33^rd birthday. Captain Thornell was a Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Pleiku. He was flying O-1E S/N 56-4184 near the coast close to Phu Hiep in Phu Yen Province South Vietnam when he was struck by ground fire and crashed into the sea. Captain Thornell had 14 years of service. His body was recovered and his name is located at 10E 085 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 24 July 1966

Captain Ronald Ethridge Tinsley was from Fort Worth, Texas and born on 28 July 1935. He was 30 and married when he died. Captain Tinsley was a Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He and another crewmember who survived were flying O-1E S/N 56-4193 on an escort mission over Gia Dinh Province South Vietnam when they crashed. Captain Tinsley’s body was recovered and his name is located at 09E 072 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 18 September 1965

Captain Thomas James Tolliver was from Union, Missouri and born on 6 July 1933. He was 32 and married when he was lost. Captain Tolliver was a Forward Air Controller and very little is known about the circumstances of his death except he was probably flying an O-1 aircraft. He had ten years of service and only served 19 days in combat . His body was eventually recovered and his name is located at 02E 089 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 8 February 1972

Captain George Henry Tousley III was from Florissant, Missouri and born on 9 August 1947. He was 24 and single when he died. Captain Tousley was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned to the Ambassador to Laos as a civilian. He flew the O-1 aircraft in the Barrel Roll area of northern Laos in support of General Vang Pao against the Pathet Lao and NVA forces. Most of the fighting took place in an area known as the Plain of Jars. Captain Tousley had served 263 days in combat when he crashed. His body was recovered and his name is located at 02W 105 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 24 December 1971

Captain Timothy Michael Tucker was from Los Animas, Colorado and born on 16 March 1946. He was 33 and single when he was declared dead in 1979. Captain Tucker was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang and flying from Pleiku South Vietnam. He and Captain William Robert Finn were flying OV-10A S/N 67-14667 about 15 miles southwest of Muang Fangdeng in the extreme southern tip of Laos controlling fighters on a hot night insertion when they were shot down. A six-day search was conducted but nothing was found. Captain Tucker’s body was not recovered and his name is located at 02W 091 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 11 February 1971

Captain Willis Grant Uhls was from Spear Fish, South Dakota and born on 26 November 1946. He was 24 and single when he died. Captain Uhls was a Raven Forward Air Controller assigned to the Ambassador to Laos as a civilian. He flew the O-1 aircraft in the Barrel Roll area of northern Laos in support of General Vang Pao against the Pathet Lao and NVA forces. Most of the fighting took place in an area known as the Plain of Jars. Captain Uhls had served 79 days in combat when he was killed. His body was recovered and his name is located at 05W 098 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 23 April 1967

First Lieutenant John Wilton Vandeventer was from Burlington, Vermont and born on 4 January 1942. He was 25 and married when he died. He was a Nile Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. Lt. Vandeventer and an Army Observer who survived were flying O-1G 50-1393 supporting the 11^th Armored Cavalry Regiment when they were hit by small arms fire shortly after take off and crashed. Lt. Vandeventer was operating from the Black Horse airstrip about 8 miles south of Xuan Loc. He served 40 days in combat and his body was recovered. Lt. Vandeventer’s name is located at 18E 077 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 14 June 1968

Captain Harold Raymond Vogel was from Monogahela, Pennsylvania and born on 15 May 1941. He was 27 and married when he died. Captain Vogel was assigned to the 22^nd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Binh Thuy. He was operating O-1E S/N 56-2635 over the Delta in Sa Dec Province South Vietnam when he hit a radio tower and crashed. Captain Vogel had served 57 days in combat and his body was recovered. His name is located at 57W 021 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 24 May 1972

First Lieutenant Richard Scott Voigts was from Wilmette, Illinois and born on 8 September 1947. He was 24 and single when he died. Lt. Voigts was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He was flying O-2A S/N 68-11056 supporting a Ranger border camp 10 miles northwest of Pleiku when witnesses saw it crash presumably from ground fire. He served 239 days in combat and his body was recovered. Lt Voigts’ name is located at 01W 031 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 1 October 1970

First Lieutenant Michael Stephen Vrablick was from Marysville, California and born on 8 July 1946. He was 24 and married when he died. He was a Rustic Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. Lieutenant Vrablick was flying with First Lieutenant Garrett Edward Eddy in O-2A S/N 68-10839 when they were shot down by automatic weapons fire 25 miles northwest of Kampong Cham, Cambodia. They were supporting the government of Lon Nol against the Khmer Rouge. The aircraft crashed in flames on his 46^th day in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 07W 104 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Missing In Action 7 April 1972

Captain Bruce Charles Walker was from Pueblo, Colorado and born on 22 November 1946. He was 33 and married when he was declared dead on 7 January 1980. Captain Walker was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He and First Lieutenant Larry Fletcher Potts USMC were flying OV-10A S/N 68-3280 just south of the DMZ when they were hit by a Surface to Air Missile and crashed three miles northwest of Dong Ha in Quang Tri Province South Vietnam. The missile was one of 83 SAMs seen on this day in the DMZ area. Both aircrews successfully ejected and Captain Walker evaded capture for 11 days. He used his survival radio to control air strikes on camouflaged enemy positions. Another survival kit was dropped to him and he was given directions for rescue. His last radio transmission was to warn rescue aircraft to abort the pick up. He was last seen in a ditch surrounded by about 20 NVA soldiers who were clearly heard during his radio transmission. Lt. Potts was shot down on his 25^th birthday, captured and died of wounds in Quang Binh prison. Captain Walker was promoted while missing and his body was not recovered. His name is located at 02W 133 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 26 August 1972

Major George Baden Waring was from Chevy Chase, Maryland and born on 2 September 1932. He was 39 and married when he died. Major Waring was a "Fast FAC" Typhoon Forward Air Controller. The Fast FACs operated jet aircraft at low levels at a high speed in high threat areas. Both F-100 and F-4 aircraft were used for the Fast FAC mission. There is little information available on the circumstances of Major Waring’s last flight. Major Waring served 148 days in combat and his body was recovered. His name is located at 01W 069 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 21 October 1968

Captain Ralph Robert Wensinger was from San Mateo, California and born on 28 October 1935. He was 32 and married when he died. Captain Wensinger was a Sleepytime Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He and Captain Anthony Joseph Pearson were controlling an air strike in O-2A S/N 68-6870 near the Perfume River 10 miles south of Saigon when they were shot down and killed. Captain Wensinger had ten years of service and served 119 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 40W 016 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 26 March 1964

Captain Richard Lebrou Whitesides was from Stockton, California and born on 14 January 1937. He was 28 and single when he died. Captain Whitesides was a Bird Dog Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He and Captain Floyd James Thompson US Army Special Forces were flying O-1F S/N 55-4695 in the Khe Sanh region. They were hit by small arms fire and crashed near Lang Kat. Captain Whitesides was killed in the crash and Captain Thompson survived as a Prisoner of War for nine years despite burns and a broken back. He was the longest held American Prisoner Of War. Captain Whitesides had four years of service and his body was not recovered. His name is located at 01E 048 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 24 February 1967

Captain Hilliard Almond Wilbanks was from Cornelia, Georgia and born on 26 July 1933. He was 33 and married when he died. Captain Wilbanks was a Walt Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nha Trang. He was flying O-1G S/N 51-5078 from Dalat supporting the 23^rd South Vietnamese Ranger Battalion in the Central Highlands Lam Dong Province South Vietnam. Captain Wilbanks saw the Rangers were about to be ambushed by superior forces and warned them. He marked the target for escorting Army helicopters but they retired after one was hit by ground fire. *** There was an air strike on the way but Captain Hilliard knew it would not arrive in time to save the Rangers. He continued diving on the enemy troops and firing his rockets until they were gone and then he used his automatic rifle to hold the enemy troops in position until the fighters arrived. On his third pass firing his rifle he was hit by enemy ground fire and crashed near the Rangers he was defending. He was pulled unconscious and wounded from the wreckage after the enemy was driven off by a flight of F-4 aircraft. Captain Wilbanks died on a helicopter en route to a hospital. His gallantry resulted in the award of the Congressional Medal Of Honor. The Citation is below. He was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart and the Air Medal. Captain Wilbanks was an Air Policeman for four years prior to becoming a pilot through the Cadet Program. He had 16 years of service and served 331 days in combat. A memorial has been erected to honor Captain Wilbanks and he has been inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. His name is located at 15E 088 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 23 August 1967

Captain Derex S. Williams Jr. was from Plant City, Florida and born on 9 July 1933. He was 34 and married when he died. Captain Williams was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. He and a Marine Observer were flying a Visual Reconnaissance mission in O-1E S/N 56-2589 near Khe Sanh as darkness came. They were flying at about 50 feet when the engine was hit by small arms fire. Captain Williams attempted a crash landing but he was killed and his Observer survived. He had 14 years of service and served only 28 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 25E 036.

Killed In Action 30 June 1965

Captain Paul Ralph Windle was from Mullinville, Kansas and born on 14 November 1934. He was 30 and single when he died. Captain Windle was a Red Marker Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He and Major Joseph E. Parker a US Army Artillery Observer were flying O-1F 55-4649 in support of the Vietnamese Airborne Brigade. They were controlling F-100s in a Troops In Contact action in the Central Highlands south of Pleiku and west of Tuy Hoa near Cheo Reo when they were hit by ground fire and crashed. Neither aircrew survived. It took another 80 fighter sorties to break the contact and recover the bodies. Captain Windle is credited with saving the outnumbered South Vietnamese forces. He had 10 years of service and was on his third tour in South Vietnam. He flew the B-26 on his other two tours and was trained to fly the A-1E on his third but he was reassigned as a FAC in the O-1 and had flown over 100 FAC missions. Captain Windle was one of the original members of the Jungle Jim Squadron. A small airfield at Greensburg, Kansas where he learned to fly before he began his Air Force career has been named in his honor. His name is located at 02E 026 on the Vietnam memorial.

Killed In Action 28 June 1966

Captain Thomas Hubert Wolfe was from Monett, Missouri and born on 4 March 1938. He was 28 and married when he died. Captain Wolfe was a Nail Forward Air Controller assigned to the 23^rd Tactical Air Support Squadron at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand flying O-1 aircraft. His last mission was flying in A-26A S/N 64-17650 giving orientation to the A-26 crew in the Steel Tiger area of Laos. They were hit by ground fire 10 miles north of Ban Phakat. This was the first daytime loss of an A-26 in Laos. Captain Wolfe had 10 years of service and and his body was not recovered. His name is located at 08E 106 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Crashed 21 April 1971

Major William Elsey Wood Jr. was from Greenwood, South Carolina and born on 8 October 1937. He was 33 and married when he died. Major Wood was a Barky Forward Air Controller assigned to the 504^th Tactical Air Support Group at Bien Hoa. He and Major Herbert Miller were flying OV-10A S/N 67-14645 on a non-operational flight when an accident occurred in Quang Tri Province South Vietnam. He had served 14 days in combat and his body was recovered. His name is located at 03W 002 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 19 October 1969

Major James Clark Woods was from Bridge Road, California and born on 20 May 1937. He was 32 and married when he died. Major Woods was assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. Major Woods and Lt. Col. Frank H. Briggs were killed when their aircraft OV-10 S/N 68-3786 was hit by ground fire while practicing Ground Controlled Approaches 12 miles southeast of Bien Hoa. He had 10 years of service. He was a Dart Forward Air Controller with 246 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 17W 092 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 26 June 1968

Major Robert Francis Woods was from Salt Lake City, Utah and born on 10 July 1929. He was 38 and married with 20 years of service when he died. Major Woods was a Covey Forward Air Controller assigned to the 20^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Da Nang. Major Woods and Captain Johnnie C. Cornelius were flying O-2A S/N 68-6879 two miles north of the DMZ over North Vietnam close to the border of Laos when they began a dive to mark the target. The aircraft never pulled out of its dive and crashed. They may have been hit by ground fire. Their bodies were not recovered. Major Woods’ name is located at 54W 004 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 2 March 1966

Captain Karl Edward Worst was from Fort Smith, Arkansas and born on 29 October 1937. He was 28 and married when he died. Captain Worst was a Gombey Forward Air Controller assigned to Detachment 3 505^th Tactical Air Control Group at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB Thailand. He had six years of service. Captain Worst was lost in Laos while flying O-1F S/N 57-2902 and the circumstances of his death are unknown. His body was not recovered and his name is located at 05E 096 on the Vietnam memorial.

Killed In Action 13 September 1969

Major Mannifred Yates was from Pikeville, Kentucky and born on 7 April 1935. He was 34 and married when he died. Major Yates was a Snap Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19^th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He was piloting O-2A S/N 68-10987 with Captain Thomas Wiley Norman as an Observer when they were shot down by small arms fire. They were flying a Visual Reconnaissance mission in the Saigon area when they were hit. Major Yates attempted am emergency landing but crashed and they were both killed. He had 14 years of service and served 258 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 18W 080 on the Vietnam Memorial.

Killed In Action 25 June 1972

Captain David Lewis Yoakum was from Tucson, Arizona and born on 28 June 1943. He was 28 and married when he died. Captain Yoakum was a Tum Forward Air Controller assigned to the 21^st Tactical Air Support Squadron at Tan Son Nhut airport Saigon. He and Captain Thomas Joseph Jozefowski were flying O-2A S/N 68-10982 when they were hit by ground fire and crashed near Phu My 12 miles north of Phu Cat in Binh Dinh Province South Vietnam.  Captain Yoakum had served 150 days in combat. Their bodies were recovered and his name is located at 01W 049 on the Vietnam

Killed In Action 20 March 1968

Major Louis Claude Zuker was from Ottawa, Illinois and born on 29 December 1934. He was 33 and married when he died. Major Zuker was a Sidewinder Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa. He was flying with another FAC, Captain Bruce A. Couillard, when they were lost. They were flying O-1G S/N 51-16871 when their aircraft was shot down by ground fire near the village of Xom Rach Bap 20 miles northwest of Bien Hoa. Major Zuker, who was nicknamed Ozzie, was supporting the 1^st Infantry Division, The Big Red One, in Binh Duong Province South Vietnam. He had 14 years service and had served 29 days in combat. His body was recovered and his name is located at 45E 044 on the Vietnam Memorial.

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