[Vhfcn-l] TINS Rescue of Wolfman 44

[Richard Lewis]

 Chris, at least the fake future reader was proven wrong Arnold made it home. Sorry to read of his passing sounds like a guy I would have liked knowing. Even with your loss of some memory you seem to remember more than anyone on here. Had not heard of the C130 incident before. I presume no one was injured. In my time we only unloaded our pistols to clean them. I do think looking back on it, it would have been safer to have unloaded. In fact we had a crew chief killed one evening in our hooch when one night a gunner came in from the club and was playing fast draw and pulled the trigger hitting his room mate in the head. The shooter was never very popular before that night so we had to get him out of the hooch quick. CO had me take him over to HQ CO and sit the rest of the night with him. Then in the morning he was picked up by MP's

Richard lewis
Msg, USA {ret}

     On Sunday, December 15, 2019, 3:45:34 PM MST, Arnold B Christensen <abc15 at mindspring.com> wrote:  
 
 Sadly Richard her (124) Original Flight Engineer. Arnold J.Johnson passedaway some time ago.  He was quite the guy to know.  A streakof  comedic humor inside him that you could not find anywhere oranyone in the Battalion.  He was famous  in his morninggreeting to 1st Sgt Bolen as we were standing formation wondering whereArnold was. Then a voice would query..."Draw 1st Sgt", in aloud voice.  There would stand Arnold the short standing in themiddle of the street in a famous gunslinger pose, hand on the butt of his.38 smiling.  Bolen had several replies to Arnold but mostly it was"Get in the formation Johnson!"  We never witnessed ashoot out, mostly because he pulled the same thing on several of the guyzif they look too serious.  I know for a fact that he obeyed therules and that his pistol was never loaded when he was on the GolfCourse.  I know that because there was one noon time we landed 140and pilots had already left the flight line and me, Larry and the Gunnerwere getting ready to walk to the mess hall and as I step off the rampthere is Armold walking by when he whips around to the right and hand onhis pistol butt and gets into his gunfighter stance and says, "DrawChris!"   I look at him real serious like and asked him,"That pistol of yours loaded Arnold?"  He gets a hurt lookon his face and says, "No Chris, we can't have weapons loaded inbase camp!"  I say, "We just landed a little while agoJohnny and I have not unloaded my pistol yet.  What say you aboutthat?"  His hands and arms suddenly go into Seagull salute andhe smiles and says, "I think we should go and havelunch."  Ok I told him and we lead the other two guys up to theCompany Area.   He and I had a close relationship.  Oneday down on the flight line he was looking glum and I asked him if he wasalright.  He said he had some weird news in a letter he got from hiswife.  He went on to say she wrote that her Mother had gone to thePalm Reader and the lady told his MIL that he would die in Vietnam andhis wife was worried for him. I told him not to worry he was too tough todie in Vietnam.   He smiled and asked me if I really thoughtthat?  Hell yeah Arnold, and me too!  Of course his wife andMIL were never told by any of us other crew members that his ship,124 wasknown as the lead magnet. I was unusual that 124 never came home withouta new hole someplace!

Arnold got sick and had to be med evacuated to Japan and I was asked totake over the FE position on 124.   My first thoughtwas..."oh no, not the lead magnet!" But I did it for at least25 or it might have been 50hours.  I think we flew it into aPeriodic Inspection and 140 was coming out of the periodic going on it.Got sent back to 140. 
During the time I was FE on 124 she never took a actual round. However when Larry and I rotated 140 Never took a round for our wholetour.  Got fired on but by people that did not know how to lead andsight and shot. Those guys did not get even a Marksman rating.  Mademe and Larry happy I know. 

Next time I saw Arnold was at Eustis in 68 when I was going to TI schoolwhich because I was a hard stripe SSG at that time...upon graduation Ibecame one of the early new Chief Tech Inspectors.   One day abunch of my Classmates and I went to the snack bar and as I come thru thedoor I hear...Hey there's Chris!  I about passed out because therewere a bunch of my old "family" from 65-66.  They were nowinstructors! Amoung them was Arnold J. Johnson.  Got a soda and satdown with him.  He asked how I was doing. Good I replied becausefinally after a couple of years I get some answers from you.  I toldhim that when he went off to Japan to get well I took over as FE on124.  Near the time before it was time to go back on 140 when wewere shutting down from a mission on 124 I was back under #1 engine whileit was shutting down and something caught my eye below the tailpipe andabout head level in the curve of where the ramp door would be if you evershut it.  Was a bullet hole.  Never noted it before and did nothear a round hit.   Broke my record as I am thinking a ship Iwas crewing out of the many I subbed on and never took a round and howcould we not hear to sound of a round hitting the ship.  I lookedfor the whole day trying to find the impact inside of the hole but neverdid find anything.  So Arnold...do you remember a hole in thatposition.  That hole appeared shortly after we got in country and Ilooked all over in the ramp area just as you did.  NothingChris!  Well it was just a nice round hole in sheet metal and we didnot have time to fix it so I let it be and you are the first one tomention it.  Stop worrying Chris, it was an early wound.  Andthere us two sat laughing our butts off. 

I believe he retired as a Sgt Maj. as he told me in a phone call when wewere living in Arlington, TX and of all things this ex-Hooker was workingfor Bell Helicopter and could see retirement from Bell in his not too faraway future at that time.

Just a bit more history and if i can remember  I am trying hard toremember what ship and where in its history in 66 did is swat a C130Aright wing while we were at flight power off to the right side of therunway where the 130 took off sliding off to the right side of the centerline which put the external fuel tank inside the rotor disk area of theafter rotor disc.  We taught that guy a lesson because the tipweight continued on and cracked the main spar of it right wing and we gotto meet the guys who were to replace the whole right wing.  I hadthat Minnie stroke back at the end of September and I have found it did awipe on some parts of my grey matter.  Things like what ship was itand now as I am typing this was it 124?  BTW Richard I am doingwell.  Can still walk a straight line, and am allowed to drive theGangsta Car.  I have straightened myself out as to what I eat andtaking the medicine I am suppose to take.  Plan to last another 20years and 3 months.  I have not partaken of any more ChocalateDipped Walmart donuts since the episode. Promise made to the ImposterWife.  She doesn't get off that easy as I plan to be here a longtime.

Hope all is well with you and your family and everyone else the samething.  I just noticed I address this to Richard and the wholeNet.  Will leave the Net on the address line as you never know ifanother Original First Hooker in Vietnam shows up.  Remember that awhole battalion of Hookers brought the First Chinooks in country back inSept 65

Chris the Bigfoot

   





At 11:27 PM 12/14/2019, Richard Lewis wrote:

Thanks for the story, I knew 124had gone down once before I arrived but now I know "the rest of thestory".


Richard lewis
Msg, USA {ret}

On Saturday, December 14, 2019, 10:18:23 AM MST, Arnold B Christensen viaVhfcn-l <vhfcn-l at lists.vhfcn.org> wrote: 


  No they did not Carl me being at times an L-20A Crew Chief in
Germany.  But more important to me in 65-66 as a CE/FE on one of the
first Chinook Battalions  Fat Lady into Vietnam and finding out what
somebody below sending up green balls of destruction possibly if they
got lucky what it would mean. Loud noise as the round passed close by
and you noted green color.  I never saw that in a couple of years as
a Crew Chief flying around the NY City airspace on my CH21C.  Biut
you do your tour of duty and you hear the stories of birds getting 
shot down and rescues mounted not by order but whole aircraft 
companies having just the one thought of rescue of their buddies down
someplace and ready to go, fire this thing up and just go do it.  I
witness it in the Highlands at night when one of our sister company 
Hook got shot down on approach to an Artillery placement with a sling
load of 105 nasty gash stuff.  Bird landed on the load and suddenly
the crew was not considered Aviation guyz, but were defenders of an 
artillery base in the middle of nowhere while back at the Base Camp 
nobody had to look for volunteers.  Help was standing all around
armed and ready. Had Sir Charles known what was getting to come and 
get their guys he would have put out the word...do not shoot down a 
1st Cav Helicopter.  Cooler heads did get what would happen in order
and there was not a massive air assault into the LZ.  All of themdid 
survive the Hook burned to the ground.  Then there was the time one
of our own ships got shot down and hit the ground on its wheels and 
its internal load of a 105 Gun and basic load of ammo internally 
loaded, and a pilot from another unit saw it and say a very large 
group headed toward the ship but they were wearing black pajamas. The
rest of that mission was still on the ground miles away and with the
same sort of loads on board waiting to go on the mission but suddenly
the mission changed.  Get the guns off the ships and ammo we got to
go get the people.  The Artillery Crews are sitting there wondering
what the hell is going on.  But back in the day when everything was
loaded internally you have never seen such a hustle and bustle to off
load the guns and ammo and get ready to go get our friends out what 
would soon become one hell of a killing field.  Again cooler heads
came up with a better plan. It ended up with the guyz on that Hook 
getting their big load and its ammo off the ship and set up ready to
start firing on whoever was wearing pajamas.  The Brigade commandhad 
sitting around someplace nearby a bunch of Hueys and Infantry waiting
the word to start their air assaults into some place 
nearby.  Gunships were on hold waiting on original orders and 
observation aircraft were waiting on the outlying areas around the 
lone Hook with a 105 loaded with a round in it ready to fight to the
end if needed.
  Everything was in place for a rescue before Sir Charles got near
the Hook and its load of crew of the ship and crew of the 
gun.  Eventually I think it was two Hueys took off to where the Hook
was down.  There was back and forth radio with the Hook.  Hueys
swooped in and loaded up everyone and a revised air assault stated 
into the area where the fat lady Tail # 124 sat like  a Lonesome
Dove. The Hook and the guy and ammo was saved and to two crews both 
aircraft and Gun were save with not even a scratch.  There was a
very heavy loss of enemy  in the end.

Those things were always in the back of my mind when flying as a 1st
Cav flight crewmember.  You had a great bunch of guys were willing
and able to come and get you and bring you home if you ever made it 
to the ground.  It is amazing how us Aviation Crewmembers acted and
what the Division did to support guys on the ground out there that 
should not be, even if it was dark. Puff the Magic Dragon would be 
there above you. Artillery rounds would be protecting you even if an
artillery unit had to be moved to within range from you. Jets would 
be dropping bombs around you. Cargo aircraft would be Low Level 
resupply of ammo to you .
This mission I just talked about was the first Nightime Artillery 
move ever made, and me and Larry's Fat Lady were the first ship in to
do it  someplace outside of Plekue. All of it happened, including
dragging the piggy back load of ammo for the 105 we were slinging 
thru the tree tops on approach to LZ italy, or LZ Boot. That was back
in 67.  Memories!

Chris the Bigfoot

At 11:16 AM 12/11/2019, you wrote:
>Thanks for sending such a heartfelt story. Fixed wing Army crewsdon'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 inthe 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 Loacheswith 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 Airvariant, 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 cameacross the DMZ in
> > October 1972. His mission flying the RU-21D was AirborneDirection Finding.
> > The aircraft utilized an airborne radio direction findingsystem called
> > 'Laffing Eagle.'
> >
> > The aircraft was configured with radios and electronicspositioned along
> > one
> > wall of the passenger compartment with two operators monitoringthe
> > electronics for enemy radio activity to get position fixes andtargets.
> >
> > He typically flew these missions simultaneously with an OV-10,forward air
> > controller. The RU21D would find enemy radio positions and theOV-10 would
> > investigate potential targets. He called his OV-10 missionpartner his 'sky
> > brother,' as they would only talk and saw each other's aircraftin the air
> > on missions. When their aircraft were in the Area of Operation,they would
> > announce their call signs and altitudes. They would remain atdifferent
> > altitudes for safety. His frequent mission partner was CPTFrank 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 Fullerreceived
> > the
> > DFC for his efforts in managing the rescue of the shot-downpilot in
> > hostile
> > territory.
> >
> > December 19, 1972
> >
> > Warren Fuller climbed out of bunk and checked the time on hislarge gold
> > and
> > silver Fossil watch he bought at the ROK PX in Da Nang on hisfirst tour
> > driving the Loach. He jumped out of bed and stretched. It wasstill dark
> > with no sign of the approaching dawn. He showered, shaved andmet up with
> > his co-pilot, CW2 Robert Collins for breakfast at the OfficersClub. After
> > breakfast, Warren returned to his hootch and strapped on hisM1911 Colt
> > pistol and holster. He draped his chicken plate over hisshoulder and
> > grabbed his M16 and threw a bandoleer of M-16 ammunition overhis other
> > shoulder. In his first tour, Warren carried the M1921 Thompsonmachine gun.
> > He longed for that gangster gun but could not get his hands onone this
> > tour. He grunted carrying all that heavy gear and sauntereddown to
> > Operations.
> >
> > He walked in and nodded to CW2 Collins. He no soon set his geardown and
> > was
> > barked at by his CO, Major Charles Simerly who was sitting athis desk,
> > "About time you got here Fuller."
> >
> > Fuller looked at his watch, "What the hell, Sir. My fancywatch says I am
> > not late. Why are you so grumpy at 'O Dark Thirty' thismorning?"
> >
> > "I am just messing with you. You and Collins are to take521Z and surveille
> > within Sector IA just south of the DMZ. There you should meetup 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 lastweek."
> >
> > "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 tothe flight line.
> > They met their crew chief who went over aircraft logs andexterior
> > preflight
> > walk around with them. Inside the cabin, two electronicsoperators;
> > Intercept Operator, Sp5 Don Munn, and Direction FindingOperator, Sp5 Ed
> > Noltensmeyer, sat at their stations. They looked up as Fullerand Collins
> > climbed in.
> >
> > Fuller quipped as he hefted his heavy gear on board, "Howis it hanging
> > this
> > morning, Gents?"
> >
> > "Good, Cap," they replied.
> >
> > "We will be surveilling Sector IA this morning. Keep usout of trouble, you
> > hear?"
> >
> > "You got it, Sp5 Munn replied.
> >
> > "Always," replied Sp5 Don Munn.
> >
> > "Just another dull day in paradise," quipped CW2Robert Collins.
> >
> > "Yeah, whatever, let's get this pig in the air,"stated CPT Fuller.
> >
> > Fuller climbed in the left seat and Collins the right. Collinsthen went
> > through the checklist with Fuller as they started up theengines on the
> > U21.
> >
> > Fuller pressed the radio button on his control yoke, "DaNang Tower this is
> > Vanguard Niner, Six Niner, requesting permission to taxi,over."
> >
> > "Niner, Six Niner, you are cleared to the active, runwaythree five right.
> > Winds are from the northwest at 10 knots. The altimeter is twoniner zero
> > zero. Information Romeo."
> >
> > "Roger information Romeo."
> >
> > "Da Nang Tower, Vanguard Niner, Six Niner is holding shortof runway three
> > five right."
> >
> > "Vanguard Niner, Six Niner, Da Nang Tower, you are clearedfor takeoff.
> >
> > Fuller pushed the throttles forward and lifted off. Collinspulled up the
> > gear and flaps as Vanguard 969 turned right and climbed to10,000 feet.
> > Collins tuned the FM radio to 75 kHz. Fuller saw this and keyedthe FM and
> > said, Vanguard Niner, Six Niner is approaching Sector I Alphato 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 Angles9."
> >
> > "Roger, Covey Six, Four, replied Fuller.
> >
> > "The Air Force & Marines have arrived, look out behindyour left side ol'
> > buddy."
> >
> > To Fuller's shock there was an OV-10 just a few feet off hisleft wing. He
> > replied "What the F**k. Are you crazy? Back off younitwit!"
> >
> > "Vanguard Niner, Six Niner, Easy does it wise guy. The AirForce taught us
> > how to fly."
> >
> > "Yeah, Six, Four, but we are not the F**King BlueAngles."
> >
> > "I just wanted to see what you Army pukes looked like. Heywhat brown bag
> > lunch did the Air Force give you today?" Asked Covey64.
> >
> > "The usual gourmet fare, tuna fish, crackers and a suckycan 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 backseat. 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 thehatch and
> > grab
> > them off your wing when we come back."
> >
> > "Hey Vanguard Niner Six Niner, before we leave, let me askyou a question,
> > Now what exactly is it you're doing up here with all thoseantennas hanging
> > off of your wings?"
> >
> > "Covey Six, Four you ask me this every day. Your shtickdoes get old ol
> > buddy. I don't know how many times I have told you these arenot antennae.
> > Their cooling fans. You know that ice cream you enjoy at theOfficer's Club
> > in Da Nang has to be chilled at a certain altitude temperatureand 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 orwhat?"
> >
> > "Yeah, oh buddy, find me a target to work."
> >
> > The OV-10 pilots gave him a thumbs up, did a double squelchbreak on the
> > radio, then drifted below and eased to the left of theU-21.
> >
> > Thirty Minutes Later
> >
> > Sp5 Don Munn poked Sp5 Ed Noltensmeyer seating next to him andsaid, "Ed I
> > got something. Ed also picked it up spun his dials creating asignal null,
> > pushed a button, and a printed slip of paper with the shotdirection and
> > aircraft position came out. He pushed his intercom switch andsaid,
> > "Captain
> > we got something come to course two five zero and we will shootanother
> > fix."
> >
> > "Wilco," replied Captain Fuller.
> >
> > Ten minutes later, Fuller switched radios and pressed his radiobutton and
> > said, "Covey Six Four, this is BAMA..I havecoordinates."
> >
> > "This is Covey Six, Four. Go ahead BAMA..ready tocopy."
> >
> > "Roger Covey Six, Four, Coordinates one six foxtrot limaone three five
> > seven eight niner."
> >
> > "This is Covey Six, Four, I have Coordinates one sixfoxtrot lima one three
> > five seven eight niner."
> >
> > This is Bama. That's a good copy.
> >
> > Several minutes later, Covey 64 radioed standby fighter bombersupport.
> > "Jay
> > Hawk Niner, Two, this is Covey Six, Four, I have enemyartillery along a
> > tree line, will mark with Willy Peat (white phosphors rockets),Over.
> >
> > "Roger, Covey Six Four, the lead fighter replied. Twominutes later, he
> > radioed, "Talley Ho Willy Peat...rolling inhot."
> >
> > Covey 64 circled the target and keyed his mike, "This isCovey Six, Four.
> > Good shooting Air Force. Thanks for your help today. You arecleared to
> > base.
> >
> > "Roger that Covey Six, Four, the Air Force is here toplease.
> >
> > Cover 64 double squelched his radio and drifted awaysouth.
> >
> > Twenty Minutes Later
> >
> > Fuller and Collins's helmet headsets suddenly came alive overthe guard
> > radio, "Mayday, Mayday, This is Covey Six Four, we havebeen hit with an
> > anti-aircraft rocket east of Dong Ha, turning east."
> >
> > "Covey Six Four, this is Vanguard Niner Six Niner. We areheading your way.
> > Say altitude and status."
> >
> > "Vanguard Niner Six Niner, good to hear your voice. Welost the port
> > engine,
> > struggling with control and have a whole panel of cautionlights flashing
> > at
> > me. We are at 8,000 feet and descending."
> >
> > "Roger, ol' buddy hang in there, we see you up ahead. Bethere 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 flyingthe right
> > seat
> > of his Huey headed north. His flight of two UH-1D's pushedahead toward the
> > developing drama in the sky near Dong Ha.
> >
> > Covey Six Four, this is Vanguard Niner, Six, Niner. I have youinsight ol'
> > buddy I am descending towards you from thesoutheast."
> >
> > "Roger, Niner, Six, Niner. I'm descending through twothousand. We will
> > eject at eight hundred feet."
> >
> > "Roger, Covey Six Four, we are diving through fivethousand 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, myfriend. God's speed!"
> >
> > Fuller said anxiously to Collins on the intercom, "Bob, Ionly see one
> > shoot."
> >
> > "Shit, I only got one chute," he replied.
> >
> > They saw the stricken OV-10 pass across the shoreline and crashinto the
> > South China Sea. Other assets listening on guard to thedeveloping scene
> > offered came on the radio offering help. A Navy Destroyerturned to assist,
> > jet fighters that were assisting Covey Six Four earlier zoomedoverhead
> > making a lot of noise to deter enemy on the ground and a groundcommander
> > on
> > the beach offered assistance. The radio became a chaotic jumbleof
> > transmissions. CPT Fuller declared himself on-site commander togain
> > control
> > of the airwaves. From that point on coordinated efforts toassist.
> >
> > Meanwhile, Fuller had his hands full flying as he descendedlower.
> >
> > CWO Collins in the right seat pointed and yelled over theintercom, "Cap I
> > see a rocket coming toward us."
> >
> > Fuller turned and descended to the deck evading the handheldSA-7 rocket
> > only to be shot at by small arms fire.
> >
> > Collins said, "Shit, Cap, we were not designed to be downhere in the weeds
> > with bad guys shooting at us."
> >
> > It was reported that at least three SA-7 rockets were fired atthem as they
> > flew on the deck.
> >
> > Jon Paterson now on the ground spoke into his handheldemergency radio,
> > "Vanguard Niner, Six, Niner, this is Wolfman Four, Four. Iam on the
> > ground,
> > unhurt. Some ARVN soldiers showed me where Covey Six, Four hitthe 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 yourguy on the
> > beach waving with some ARVN soldiers. We are comingin."
> >
> > Vanguard 969 replied, "Roger, we have some fast moversabove and friendlies
> > moving in by ground."
> >
> > "Roger that," replied Centaur 6. "How aboutclimbing 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 andthe body of
> > Frank Eagan and took them to closest medical facility ARVN 1stInf Div HQ.
> > The pilot, CPT Frank Eagan, and his back seat observer, CPT JonPaterson,
> > were shot down east of Dong Ha with SA-7 shoulder-mountedheat-seeking
> > rocket. They punched out at 800 feet at the beach near thevillage of Trung
> > Nam in northernmost South Vietnam. Frank's chute didn't deployand he died
> > on impact. Interestingly, the rescue was facilitated on theground by what
> > were thought to be deserting NVA recon soldiers not ARVNsoldiers (not
> > confirmed). The deserters apparently were traveling south alongthe beach
> > to
> > Hue to surrender. They were given food and water by Joe Bowen'sHuey crew.
> >
> > Warren Fuller and his wife, Janie, met up Jon Peterson and hiswife, Gail,
> > in September 2010 at lunch in Winston-Salem, Georgia. When heand Jon
> > talked
> > about the shootdown and rescue, Jon pulled out the ejectionseat handle
> > from
> > 38 years ago from a bag by his chair. They remain goodfriends.
> >
> > You can read the Army's official description of the DFC awardfrom 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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