RIPPLE SALVO… #466… SPINERIPPER and CHASING TRUCKS UNDER FLARES…but first…
Good Morning: Day FOUR HUNDRED SIXTY-SIX of a journal recalling the air war over North Vietnam fought long ago…
14 JUNE 1967…HEAD LINES from The New York Times on a cloudy Wednesday in the Big Apple…
Page 1: “SOLICITOR GENERAL THURGOOD MARSHALL NAMES FOR HIGH COURT, It’s First Negro–President Johnson Calls Nominee ‘Best Qualified” and Rights Leaders Are Jubilant–Southerners Silent on Confirmation”… “President Johnson named Solicitor General Thurgood Marshall to the Supreme Court today. Mr. Marshall, the great-grandson of a slave, will be the first Negro to serve on the Supreme Court if the Senate confirms him. He is the best known Negro lawyer of the century because of his battles for civil rights and against segregation. Senators from the South once delayed his appointment to the Federal judiciary for several months. Negro leaders were just jubilant. Mr. Marshall, 58-years, is to succeed associate Justice Tom Clark who retired yesterday.”… Page 1: “Guard Called Into Cincinnati as Riots Spread”… “Ohio National Guardsmen with fixed bayonets were ordered into Cincinnati to join 900 policemen battling intensive rioting that continued to sweep a large part of the city today and spread to at least one suburban town (Lockland).”… Page 2: “92 In Peace Corps Told to Disassociate Themselves officially from a circular protesting the Vietnam war or face possible disciplinary action. All are serving in Chile.”... Page 1: “$70-Billion Voted For Defense in ’68”... “the House passed today a $70.3-billion defense money bill described by Congressional leaders as the largest single legislation appropriation in world history. The vote was 407 to 1 (George Brown, D-CA)… both democrats and Republicans predicted additional funding will be required later.”…
Page 1: “Arabs At U.N. Charge Israel Drove Out Thousands”... “Jordan and Syria backed by the Soviet Union accused Israel today of having driven thousands of Arabs out of occupied territory in what the Jordanian’s delegate called a pattern embarked upon in 1948 when Israel was established… an ‘exodus’ from Western Jordan is ongoing.”... Page 1: “Johnson Avoids Specifics On U.S. Policy in Mideast”… “President Johnson affirmed today a commitment to protect the territorial integrity of all nations in the Middle East and expressed hope that a peace could be achieved to protect the interest of both Israel and the Arab States.”…
Page 1: “Chou Denounces Red Guards Acts”... “Wall posters in Peking disclosed today a scathing attack by Premier Chou En-lai against China’s youthful Red Guards, whom he accused of ‘giving pleasure and an advantage to enemy countries.’…. harshest words so far used publicly by a ranking Chinese official against the unruly young followers of the Communist party chairman Mao Tse-tung.”… Page 2: “Cambodia forming North Vietnam Tie”… “Prince Norodom Sihanouk, the Cambodian Chief of state said today that his government is establishing diplomatic relations with North Vietnam and would include the exchange of Ambassadors.”… Page 4: “Thai King said yesterday that the efforts of American soldiers in Vietnam were being undermined by anti-war activity at home by what he called ‘a war of brainwashing.’ …’A soldier fighting wants support from the home front. This is sapping his efforts an it is not very nice for him.’ King Phumiphol Aduldot is in the U.S. to see for himself…”
14 June 1967… The President’s TS Daily CIA Brief… ARAB STATES-ISRAEL: There have been no significant military developments overnight. On the diplomatic front, Moscow’s drive for an emergency meeting of the UN General Assembly has stalled, at least temporarily… the Security Council adjourned late last night without voting on the Soviet resolution calling for condemnation of Israel and the withdrawal of Israeli forces… SOUTH VIETNAM: Chief of State Thieu seems intent on staying in the presidential race…some officials believe Thieu is gaining voter sympathy by portraying himself as a victim of the heavy-handed tactics of Ky’s supporters…CAMBODIA ...has apparently granted full diplomatic recognition to North Vietnam…
HUMBLE HOST remembers….
Fifty years ago this week one of the great warriors of our time was busting bridges, SAM sites, flak sites and anything that moved in North Vietnam with the best of them. He was a “legend in his own time.” He was one of the greatest “tailhookers” in Navy history with more than 1600 arrested landings, and could be counted on to take the hops that were the toughest–baddest nights, moving decks, lousy weather and low clouds. He never said no, it was always,”lets go.” He was a dynamic leader who inspired all but the most timid, who never particularly cared for his aggressive, forthright, hard-nosed men. He was a “tough love leader par” excellent. That is why he was called “Spineripper.”… If you knew him, you will never forget him. I loved him like a brother. So, Humble Host asks your indulgence while I add one of John “Wapes” Waples handful of DFCs to this journal of Operation Rolling Thunder….”Wapes,” this one is for you…..
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER… HEROISM and EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT… LIEUTENANT JOHN MICHAEL WAPLES, United States Navy… DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS… 11 JUNE 1967…
“The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of the Second DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS to LIEUTENANT JOHN MICHAEL WAPLES for HEROISM and EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT as the pilot of a light attack jet aircraft attached to and serving with Attack Squadron SEVENTY-SIX, embarked in USS BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31), in action against hostile enemy forces in North Vietnam on 11 June 1967. LIEUTENANT WAPLES was flying as the leader of a two-plane missile suppression element in direct support of a major air wing strike against the strategically important Uong Bi Thermal Power Plant. Preceding the strike group to the target, LIEUTENANT WAPLES observed two surface-to-air missiles launched directly at his section. Reacting instantly, he took offensive action against the threatening site and silenced it. LIEUTENANT WAPLES then remained over the target, dangerously exposed to enemy ground fire and missile defenses, while monitoring enemy missile activity. Only after all strike aircraft had completed their attack and retirement did he withdraw to safety. In courageously remaining on station throughout the strike, providing missile suppression in the target area and silencing a missile site, LIEUTENANT WAPLES made a significant contribution to a highly successful and vitally important mission. His personal dedication, and outstanding professional skill were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”…. oohrah… Rest in Peace, Wapes… luvyaman!!!
14 June 1967… OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER…New York Times (15 June reporting 14 June ops) Page 3: “In the air war in North Vietnam Air Force Thunderhief fighter-bombers from bases in Thailand attacked three railyards on the northeast link between Hanoi and the China border…The attacks followed heavy strikes the previous day on both raillines between Hanoi and China. F-105s also recratered the runway at Kep.”…
“Vietnam: Air Losses” (Chris Hobson) There was one fixed wing aircraft lost in Southeast Asia on 14 June 1967…
(1) 1LT EDWARD JOHN MECHENBIER and 1LT KEVIN JOSEPH McMANUS were flying an F-4C of the 390th TFS and 366th TFW out of Danang with a strike group attacking the Vu Chua railway yard near Kep. Their aircraft was hit by a round of 85-mm in their dive on the target forcing them to eject in the area of the target. Both 1LT MECHENBIER and 1LT McMANUS were captured and endured the remainder of the war as POWS. They returned to the United States in 1973. 1LT MECHENBIER was on his 113th mission, 79 over North Vietnam, and 1LT McMANUS was on his second tour and was on his 140th mission when they were downed.
RIPPLE SALVO… #466… Bombing Trucks Under Flares… On the evening of 14 June 1967 that was what I was doing a little south of Vinh on Highway 1 north of Ha Tinh… The loadout: four Mk-24 flares and five MK-81s, the standard for an A-4 night armed reconnaissance mission in Route Packages 2 and 3.
I found this “Summary of Action” in a recommendation for a Navy Commendation Medal for Lieutenant Junior Grade CHARLES EDWIN LASKEY of Attack Squadron 212/USS Bon Homme Richard in the archives. It also belongs in this journal as a good example of the standard ROLLING THUNDER Skyhawk night attack mission, including one of mine flown 50 years ago this day…(#101)…
“On 29 May 1967, LTJG CHARLES LASKEY, VA-212, was engaged as a wingman in a flight of two A-4E aircraft conducting a night armed reconnaissance mission in the vicinity of Cap Mui Ron, North Vietnam. Working in conjunction with a U.S. Army aircraft (an unusual event), a group of enemy trucks were detected moving towards South Vietnam. LTJG LASKEY executed a precise flare dropping run which illuminated a group of ten trucks. After executing a hard climbing turn, he commenced his attack on the trucks which were moving rapidly to evade the light from the pair of Mk-24 flares. The accuracy of his night dive attack resulted in the destruction of two of the trucks. Before another attack could be initiated the remainder of the trucks had escaped the lighted area., and no more flares were available. Because of his careful pre-flight planning and familiarity with area and terrain, LTJG LASKEY was able to pursue the trucks and re-attack them with rockets and 20-millimeter cannon fire under conditions of very low visibility in hilly terrain. The trucks were forced to leave the road to seek shelter under trees. LTJG LASKEY’s aggressive attacks and superb weapons delivery contributed substantially to the Untied States interdiction efforts in North Vietnam.”...Then the young Nugget flew his Scooter back to Bonnie Dick for another 27Charlie night landing… Feeling good…
No mention of opposition in this write-up. The night hops were always exciting when the night sky was full of tracers curling up, and with a little luck, curling away and never catching up… the definition of “hosing.”
CAG’s QUOTES for 14 June: VON CLAUSEWITZ: “Pity the theory that conflicts with reason.”... PATTON: “We will meet the enemy whom it is our privilege and honor to attack and kill.”
Lest we forget…. Bear