[Vhfcn-l] TINS Rescue of Wolfman 44

[Carl & Cindy Crisp]

Thanks for sending such a heartfelt story. Fixed wing Army crews don't get
enough credit.
Carl Crisp
SP5, CE
Knight 186
114th AHC
Vinh Long '69-'70

On Wed, Dec 11, 2019 at 11:00 AM Darryl James via Vhfcn-l <
vhfcn-l at lists.vhfcn.org> wrote:

> I wrote this article for the VHPA Aviator. It was published in the most
> recent edition. Hope you enjoy.
>
> Rescue of Wolfman 44
>
> Darryl James
>
> Americal Divarty Air 68-69
>
> Midland, Texas
>
>
>
> By A. Darryl James, VHPA # L08838
>
> This story was told to me by my friend Warren Fuller (VHPA # M13995) who
> flew with me at Americal in his first tour. We drove Loaches with Americal
> Divarty Air Section out of Chu Lai in I Corps in 1968 and 1969. CPT
> Fuller's
> second tour was in 1972 and 1973 flying the Army King Air variant, RU-21D
> near the DMZ with North Vietnam. He was with the 138th RR Avn. Co. out of
> Phu Bai and later they moved to Da Nang when the NVA came across the DMZ in
> October 1972. His mission flying the RU-21D was Airborne Direction Finding.
> The aircraft utilized an airborne radio direction finding system called
> 'Laffing Eagle.'
>
> The aircraft was configured with radios and electronics positioned along
> one
> wall of the passenger compartment with two operators monitoring the
> electronics for enemy radio activity to get position fixes and targets.
>
> He typically flew these missions simultaneously with an OV-10, forward air
> controller. The RU21D would find enemy radio positions and the OV-10 would
> investigate potential targets. He called his OV-10 mission partner his 'sky
> brother,' as they would only talk and saw each other's aircraft in the air
> on missions. When their aircraft were in the Area of Operation, they would
> announce their call signs and altitudes. They would remain at different
> altitudes for safety. His frequent mission partner was CPT Frank Eagan,
> USAF, call sign Covey 64 and back-seater, CPT Jon Patterson, USMC, call
> sign
> Wolfman 44. CPT Fuller's call sign was Vanguard 969. CPT Fuller received
> the
> DFC for his efforts in managing the rescue of the shot-down pilot in
> hostile
> territory.
>
> December 19, 1972
>
> Warren Fuller climbed out of bunk and checked the time on his large gold
> and
> silver Fossil watch he bought at the ROK PX in Da Nang on his first tour
> driving the Loach. He jumped out of bed and stretched. It was still dark
> with no sign of the approaching dawn. He showered, shaved and met up with
> his co-pilot, CW2 Robert Collins for breakfast at the Officers Club. After
> breakfast, Warren returned to his hootch and strapped on his M1911 Colt
> pistol and holster. He draped his chicken plate over his shoulder and
> grabbed his M16 and threw a bandoleer of M-16 ammunition over his other
> shoulder. In his first tour, Warren carried the M1921 Thompson machine gun.
> He longed for that gangster gun but could not get his hands on one this
> tour. He grunted carrying all that heavy gear and sauntered down to
> Operations.
>
> He walked in and nodded to CW2 Collins. He no soon set his gear down and
> was
> barked at by his CO, Major Charles Simerly who was sitting at his desk,
> "About time you got here Fuller."
>
> Fuller looked at his watch, "What the hell, Sir. My fancy watch says I am
> not late. Why are you so grumpy at 'O Dark Thirty' this morning?"
>
> "I am just messing with you. You and Collins are to take 521Z and surveille
> within Sector IA just south of the DMZ. There you should meet up with your
> Air Force sky buddy on Fox Mike 75 kHz channel."
>
> "Roger, Boss," replied Fuller."
>
> "And Captain, watch your ass. We lost an F4 there last week."
>
> "Always Boss." Fuller turned to Collins and asked, "Did you get the weather
> briefing, Bob?"
>
> "Roger, Cap. No weather concerns."
>
> "Good let's go."
>
> "They retrieved their flight helmets and walked down to the flight line.
> They met their crew chief who went over aircraft logs and exterior
> preflight
> walk around with them. Inside the cabin, two electronics operators;
> Intercept Operator, Sp5 Don Munn, and Direction Finding Operator, Sp5 Ed
> Noltensmeyer, sat at their stations. They looked up as Fuller and Collins
> climbed in.
>
> Fuller quipped as he hefted his heavy gear on board, "How is it hanging
> this
> morning, Gents?"
>
> "Good, Cap," they replied.
>
> "We will be surveilling Sector IA this morning. Keep us out of trouble, you
> hear?"
>
> "You got it, Sp5 Munn replied.
>
> "Always," replied Sp5 Don Munn.
>
> "Just another dull day in paradise," quipped CW2 Robert Collins.
>
> "Yeah, whatever, let's get this pig in the air," stated CPT Fuller.
>
> Fuller climbed in the left seat and Collins the right. Collins then went
> through the checklist with Fuller as they started up the engines on the
> U21.
>
> Fuller pressed the radio button on his control yoke, "Da Nang Tower this is
> Vanguard Niner, Six Niner, requesting permission to taxi, over."
>
> "Niner, Six Niner, you are cleared to the active, runway three five right.
> Winds are from the northwest at 10 knots. The altimeter is two niner zero
> zero. Information Romeo."
>
> "Roger information Romeo."
>
> "Da Nang Tower, Vanguard Niner, Six Niner is holding short of runway three
> five right."
>
> "Vanguard Niner, Six Niner, Da Nang Tower, you are cleared for takeoff.
>
> Fuller pushed the throttles forward and lifted off. Collins pulled up the
> gear and flaps as Vanguard 969 turned right and climbed to 10,000 feet.
> Collins tuned the FM radio to 75 kHz. Fuller saw this and keyed the FM and
> said, Vanguard Niner, Six Niner is approaching Sector I Alpha to work at
> Angles 10 (10,000 feet MSL)."
>
> "Roger, Vanguard Niner, Six, Niner, you got Covey Six, Four with you today
> ol' buddy. I am at Angles 10 but will slide down to Angles 9."
>
> "Roger, Covey Six, Four, replied Fuller.
>
> "The Air Force & Marines have arrived, look out behind your left side ol'
> buddy."
>
> To Fuller's shock there was an OV-10 just a few feet off his left wing. He
> replied "What the F**k. Are you crazy? Back off you nitwit!"
>
> "Vanguard Niner, Six Niner, Easy does it wise guy. The Air Force taught us
> how to fly."
>
> "Yeah, Six, Four, but we are not the F**King Blue Angles."
>
> "I just wanted to see what you Army pukes looked like. Hey what brown bag
> lunch did the Air Force give you today?" Asked Covey 64.
>
> "The usual gourmet fare, tuna fish, crackers and a sucky can of peaches
> that
> I never eat," replied Vanguard 969.
>
> "Hey I love those peaches," replied Covey 64.
>
> "Hey Ass Holes this is Wolfman Four, Four in the back seat. I too
> especially
> like them ol' peaches."
>
> "You both can have them," replied Vanguard 969.
>
> real realclose to you? Close enough to smell the tuna fish. Hell I knew you
> were having tuna fish already."
>
> This is Wolfman Four, Four, tell you what, I'll just open the hatch and
> grab
> them off your wing when we come back."
>
> "Hey Vanguard Niner Six Niner, before we leave, let me ask you a question,
> Now what exactly is it you're doing up here with all those antennas hanging
> off of your wings?"
>
> "Covey Six, Four you ask me this every day. Your shtick does get old ol
> buddy. I don't know how many times I have told you these are not antennae.
> Their cooling fans. You know that ice cream you enjoy at the Officer's Club
> in Da Nang has to be chilled at a certain altitude temperature and that's
> why we have these cooling fans."
>
> "That never was funny Niner, Six, Niner! Silly actually, your shtick always
> sucked. Hey ol' buddy did I tell you I am getting pretty short, just thirty
> short days and a wake-up and I am going home."
>
> "You lucky devil you. I have a long way to go." Fuller paused then said,
> "Be
> safe, Amigo. Hey, Six Four, are we going to work today or what?"
>
> "Yeah, oh buddy, find me a target to work."
>
> The OV-10 pilots gave him a thumbs up, did a double squelch break on the
> radio, then drifted below and eased to the left of the U-21.
>
> Thirty Minutes Later
>
> Sp5 Don Munn poked Sp5 Ed Noltensmeyer seating next to him and said, "Ed I
> got something. Ed also picked it up spun his dials creating a signal null,
> pushed a button, and a printed slip of paper with the shot direction and
> aircraft position came out. He pushed his intercom switch and said,
> "Captain
> we got something come to course two five zero and we will shoot another
> fix."
>
> "Wilco," replied Captain Fuller.
>
> Ten minutes later, Fuller switched radios and pressed his radio button and
> said, "Covey Six Four, this is BAMA..I have coordinates."
>
> "This is Covey Six, Four. Go ahead BAMA..ready to copy."
>
> "Roger Covey Six, Four, Coordinates one six foxtrot lima one three five
> seven eight niner."
>
> "This is Covey Six, Four, I have Coordinates one six foxtrot lima one three
> five seven eight niner."
>
> This is Bama. That's a good copy.
>
> Several minutes later, Covey 64 radioed standby fighter bomber support.
> "Jay
> Hawk Niner, Two, this is Covey Six, Four, I have enemy artillery along a
> tree line, will mark with Willy Peat (white phosphors rockets), Over.
>
> "Roger, Covey Six Four, the lead fighter replied. Two minutes later, he
> radioed, "Talley Ho Willy Peat...rolling in hot."
>
> Covey 64 circled the target and keyed his mike, "This is Covey Six, Four.
> Good shooting Air Force. Thanks for your help today. You are cleared to
> base.
>
> "Roger that Covey Six, Four, the Air Force is here to please.
>
> Cover 64 double squelched his radio and drifted away south.
>
> Twenty Minutes Later
>
> Fuller and Collins's helmet headsets suddenly came alive over the guard
> radio, "Mayday, Mayday, This is Covey Six Four, we have been hit with an
> anti-aircraft rocket east of Dong Ha, turning east."
>
> "Covey Six Four, this is Vanguard Niner Six Niner. We are heading your way.
> Say altitude and status."
>
> "Vanguard Niner Six Niner, good to hear your voice. We lost the port
> engine,
> struggling with control and have a whole panel of caution lights flashing
> at
> me. We are at 8,000 feet and descending."
>
> "Roger, ol' buddy hang in there, we see you up ahead. Be there is ten
> mikes."
>
> "Aircraft on guard, this is Centaur Three."
>
> "Centaur Three, this is Vanguard Niner, Six, Niner."
>
> "Vanguard Niner, Six, Niner, We are 'balls to the wall,' and coming your
> way. What kind of aircraft are you?"
>
> "Uniform two one, Over.
>
> "Roger, Vanguard Niner Six Niner, we are a flight of two, Hueys out of Tan
> My. We are heading your way to assist."
>
> "Roger, Centaur Three."
>
> CWO Joe Bowen, call sign Centaur 3, of F Troop 4th Cav flying the right
> seat
> of his Huey headed north. His flight of two UH-1D's pushed ahead toward the
> developing drama in the sky near Dong Ha.
>
> Covey Six Four, this is Vanguard Niner, Six, Niner. I have you insight ol'
> buddy I am descending towards you from the southeast."
>
> "Roger, Niner, Six, Niner. I'm descending through two thousand. We will
> eject at eight hundred feet."
>
> "Roger, Covey Six Four, we are diving through five thousand and will follow
> you all the way down. Chopper help is on the way!
>
> "Vanguard Niner Six Niner, We are punching out!"
>
> "Roger, Covey Six Four, We will escort you down, my friend. God's speed!"
>
> Fuller said anxiously to Collins on the intercom, "Bob, I only see one
> shoot."
>
> "Shit, I only got one chute," he replied.
>
> They saw the stricken OV-10 pass across the shoreline and crash into the
> South China Sea. Other assets listening on guard to the developing scene
> offered came on the radio offering help. A Navy Destroyer turned to assist,
> jet fighters that were assisting Covey Six Four earlier zoomed overhead
> making a lot of noise to deter enemy on the ground and a ground commander
> on
> the beach offered assistance. The radio became a chaotic jumble of
> transmissions. CPT Fuller declared himself on-site commander to gain
> control
> of the airwaves. From that point on coordinated efforts to assist.
>
> Meanwhile, Fuller had his hands full flying as he descended lower.
>
> CWO Collins in the right seat pointed and yelled over the intercom, "Cap I
> see a rocket coming toward us."
>
> Fuller turned and descended to the deck evading the handheld SA-7 rocket
> only to be shot at by small arms fire.
>
> Collins said, "Shit, Cap, we were not designed to be down here in the weeds
> with bad guys shooting at us."
>
> It was reported that at least three SA-7 rockets were fired at them as they
> flew on the deck.
>
> Jon Paterson now on the ground spoke into his handheld emergency radio,
> "Vanguard Niner, Six, Niner, this is Wolfman Four, Four. I am on the
> ground,
> unhurt. Some ARVN soldiers showed me where Covey Six, Four hit the ground.
> Dear God, his chute never opened."
>
> "That sucks," replied Vanguard 969 on the radio. "Huey's are inbound for
> you
> Four, Four."
>
> "Indeed we are," replied Centaur 3. Vanguard Niner, Six, Niner, this is
> Centaur Three. I see you circling below us. I think I see your guy on the
> beach waving with some ARVN soldiers. We are coming in."
>
> Vanguard 969 replied, "Roger, we have some fast movers above and friendlies
> moving in by ground."
>
> "Roger that," replied Centaur 6. "How about climbing out of there and
> giving
> me and my buddy some room?
>
> "Roger, Centaur 6, we are climbing to two grand. Thanks!"
>
> __________________________________________
>
> CWO Joe Bowen, call sign Centaur 3, rescued Jon Paterson and the body of
> Frank Eagan and took them to closest medical facility ARVN 1st Inf Div HQ.
> The pilot, CPT Frank Eagan, and his back seat observer, CPT Jon Paterson,
> were shot down east of Dong Ha with SA-7 shoulder-mounted heat-seeking
> rocket. They punched out at 800 feet at the beach near the village of Trung
> Nam in northernmost South Vietnam. Frank's chute didn't deploy and he died
> on impact. Interestingly, the rescue was facilitated on the ground by what
> were thought to be deserting NVA recon soldiers not ARVN soldiers (not
> confirmed). The deserters apparently were traveling south along the beach
> to
> Hue to surrender. They were given food and water by Joe Bowen's Huey crew.
>
> Warren Fuller and his wife, Janie, met up Jon Peterson and his wife, Gail,
> in September 2010 at lunch in Winston-Salem, Georgia. When he and Jon
> talked
> about the shootdown and rescue, Jon pulled out the ejection seat handle
> from
> 38 years ago from a bag by his chair. They remain good friends.
>
> You can read the Army's official description of the DFC award from the
> following link:
> <
> https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wefpages.com%2Ffamily%2FDFC
>
> %2520Award.pdf%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3R-VnHM2UeAkwFrNRf3yDuoP2OxhPxVYoAxcYBAyZyZi0I
>
> Hwq8qYDNjWs&h=AT29rSQaCl-tI6tEBdNz5gDl0RrW-5afmHwSivyh31HbnxCTKnCGliAO9qQcDd
>
> Wk6f8iqTJ9fExEaBSEVncUY_YBjP-UH6e_MhT_7loVyf7tawdBNVbEYpuydiQcsTLTKkxKiSyDNn
> T8YMCA7o1_JKOIxrZryrSIh44gOQ
> <https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wefpages.com%2Ffamily%2FDFC%2520Award.pdf%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3R-VnHM2UeAkwFrNRf3yDuoP2OxhPxVYoAxcYBAyZyZi0IHwq8qYDNjWs&h=AT29rSQaCl-tI6tEBdNz5gDl0RrW-5afmHwSivyh31HbnxCTKnCGliAO9qQcDdWk6f8iqTJ9fExEaBSEVncUY_YBjP-UH6e_MhT_7loVyf7tawdBNVbEYpuydiQcsTLTKkxKiSyDNnT8YMCA7o1_JKOIxrZryrSIh44gOQ>>
> http://www.wefpages.com/family/DFC%20Award.pdf
>
>
>
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