RIPPLE SALVO… #623… One of the worst days of ROLLING THUNDER as nine aircraft and eleven warriors make one way trips carrying the fight to the enemy… 94 of their SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILES SMITE 4 of our attackers … but first…
Good Morning: Day SIX HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE of a remembrance of EVENTS AND THE BRAVE from a page of history found in the dusty archives of our nation’s past…
19 NOVEMBER 1967…HEAD LINES from The New York Times on a cloudy, cold Sunday in New York…
Page 1: “Britain Devalues Pound To $2.40 To avert A New Economic Crisis; Severe Restraints Are Imposed–Reduction Is 14.3%–Curbs Include A Basic Interest Rate of 8% And Spending Cuts”… Page 1: “President Johnson Reacts–Promises To Maintain The Value Of The Dollar–Calls Step Healthy”… Page 1″Senator Kennedy Asserts A Bid By McCarthy Would Aid Party–Says Minnesotan’s Entry In Primaries Could Channel Vietnam Frustrations”… Page 1: “Young Democrats Ask Bombing Halt–Convention Also Urges Talks With Vietcong–Defense of Johnson Gets Ovation”... “Hollywood convention of young Democrats gave shouting approval for a resolution supporting President Johnson, but also suggests he consider a bombing pause in Vietnam, land reform in South Vietnam and negotiations with the Vietcong.”… Page 1: “Governor George Romney Declares He Is In 1968 Race–Predicts Vietcong Opens Campaign For G.O.P. Nomination For President With Detroit Statement–Appeals For Morality–Governor, Concerned, Says National Problems Broad Sense of Personal Futility”… Sports: NCAA Football: Navy and Vanderbilt Tie, 35-35; Army over Pitt 21-13; Alabama over South Carolina, 17-0; Notre Dame over George Tech, 36-3; Georgia over Auburn, 17-0; O.J. Simpson runs 64-yards for TD in fourth quarter for SoCal win over UCLA, 21-20.”…
Historical Document of Importance dated 19 November 1967: South Vietnam’s new President Thieu had declared his intention to communicate with Ho Chi Minh to get a conversation going that might lead to a peaceful settlement of the war between North and South. The following is a telegram from the U.S. State Department to Ambassador Bunker in Saigon with instructions and an approved draft of a letter for Thieu to forward to Ho in Hanoi…
https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v05/d402
19 NOVEMBER 1967… OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER… New York Times (20 Nov reporting 19 Nov ops) Page 1: “In the air war, American bombers hit two new strategic targets and pounded a bridge in Haiphong during raids on North Vietnam yesterday, the spokesman said. Two Thunderchief fighter-bombers were shot down during the raids, raising the total number of United States planes lost over North during the last three days to eight and the total lost since bombing of the North started to 747. Carrier-based Navy bombers swept into within a mile of the center of Haiphong to bomb a temporary bridge constructed after the permanent bridges had been bombed. The spokesman, reported heavy damage to the bridge. Near Hanoi Air Force planes hit railroad traffic and pounded a concrete production plant and the Thuy Phuong barge depot on the Red River, six and seven miles northwest of the city. It was the first strike on the plant and the barge depot.” Page 3: “Foe Claims Heavy Toll”... “The official North Vietnamese press agency said today 17 American planes were shot down yesterday (19th) and that a sizeable number of pilots were captured. This was by far the largest American loss claimed by the Communists for a single day. By American count, however, nine planes have gone down since last Thursday–including two today–and 11 fliers are missing.”…
NYT, 21 Nov Page 2: “Hanoi Lists Captive Fliers”... “Hanoi’s Vietnam News agency issued a list today of eight American fliers it said were shot down over North Vietnam in the ‘past few days.‘ It gave no information on the men’s condition. The eight were identified as Edward E. Burdett, 46 years old Air Force Colonel, tactical air wing commander in Korat (Thailand); John P. Flynn, Air Force colonel, tactical air win deputy commander (at Korat); Wilson Denver Key, 27, Navy Lieutenant, and Claude Douglas Clower, 26, lieutenant-commander; Theodore Gerhard Stier, 27, Navy lieutenant-commander; James E. Teague, 24, lieutenant-junior grade; and Walter O. Estes II, 28, Navy lieutenant junior grade.”…
“Vietnam: Air Losses” (Chris Hobson) There were nine fixed wing aircraft lost in Southeast Asia on 19 November 1967… Hobson: “If the 18th was a bad day for the US airmen, the 19th was going to be even worse.”…
(1) MAJOR GERALD C. GUSTAFSON and CAPTAIN RUSSELL F. BROWNLEE were flying and F-105F Wild Weasel of 333rd TFS and 355th TFW out of Takhli providing anti-SAM support for a 388th Wing strike near Hanoi. MAJOR GUSTAFSON and CAPTAIN BROWNLEE were on the attack of a SAM site 7 miles west of Hanoi and suffered a hit by a surface-to-air missile from another site. They were able to fly the aircraft westerly to Laos before having to eject. Both were rescued by Air America helicopter to fly and fight again. And to be downed again; in January 1968 they would be required to eject and be rescued for a second time. MAJOR BROWNLEE continued in combat to log 101 counters. In their flight from the Hanoi area to Laos they were escorted by another Takhli Thunderchief piloted by CAPTAIN BRUCE STOCKS, who would be awarded the AIR FORCE CROSS for his extraordinary heroism and airmanship that day…
(2) and (3) LIEUTENANT COMMANDER CLAUDE DOUGLAS CLOWER and LTJG WALTER O. ESTES were in the lead F-4B of the VF-151 Vigilantes embarked in USS CORAL SEA with LTJG JAMES ERLAN TEAGUE and LTJG THEODORE GERHARD STIER on the wing flying a TARCAP mission in support of wing strike on a target near Haiphong. They were stalking a flight of MIGs north of Haiphong when jumped by other MIGs. Both F-4s were downed by air-to-air missiles, although there is a possibility that the #2 aircraft ingested debris from the explosion of LIEUTENANT COMMANDER CLOWER’s F-4 when it was hit and lost a wing. LIEUTENANT COMMANDER CLOWER in #1 F-4 and LTJG STIER (155 Missions) in #2 F-4 both had successful ejections and were captured and served honorable for the remainder of the war as POWs. Both were released from Hanoi in March 1973. Neither LTJG ESTES in #1 on LTJG TEAGUE in #2 were seen to eject and their remains were repatriated in September 1977…. On this day in 2017 we remember their sacrifice and the 50 years of life given that could have been in the service of their country… as the Wise Men huddled around a table in the Cabinet Room of the White House…
(4) CAPTAIN DUNCAN PADGETT SMITH was flying an F-100D Super Sabre of the 510th TFS and 3rd TFW out of Bien Hoa providing close-air-support to troops in contact with the enemy. On his second napalm pass he was hit by small arms fire and did not recover from the attack and did not eject. CAPTAIN SMITH died fighting for his country and those troops on the ground fifty years ago today… he gave his life so that they could live…… he is remembered with admiration and respect…
(5) LIEUTENANT COLONEL VERNON PEYTON LIGON, Commanding the 11th TRS, and CAPTAIN DAVID EDWARD FORD were flying an RF-4C of the 11th TRS and 432nd TRW out of Udorn on a photo reconnaissance mission in support of strike operations in the Hanoi and Phuc Yen area. The Photo F-4 was hit by a SAM while maneuvering to avoid another. Both LCOL LIGON and CAPTAIN FORD were successful in ejecting but were quickly captured and imprisoned. They were released by North Vietnam in March 1973. Ripple Salvo #623 below recognizes the extraordinary service of LCOL LIGON …
(6) MAJOR RAYMOND WALTON VISSOTZKY was flying an F-105D of the 34th TFS and 388th TFW out of Korat on a wing strike on the barge yard on the Red River just north of Hanoi on the Red River. The attack was met by volleys of surface-to-air missiles from multiple sites surrounding Hanoi and MAJOR VISSOTZKY, a seasoned fighter-bomber pilot and flight leader, was unable to out fly them all. Hit over the target he was forced to eject 15 miles west of Hanoi and was captured. He continued to serve with honor as a POW (see Ripple Salvo below for more). He was released from prison in March 1973.
(7) CAPTAIN HARRISON HOYT KLINCK was flying an F-105D of the 469th TFS and 388th TFW in a second wave of 388th F-105s hitting the barge yard and was also hit by the intense SAM environment. CAPTAIN KLINCK was able to fly the aircraft for about 20 miles before the aircraft crashed without the young warrior ejecting from his doomed aircraft. His remains were returned to the United States in August 1985 and identified in October 1985. He died for our country 50 years ago this day…remember him…
(8) 1LT CHARLES CARTER NELSON and 1LT S. MARENKA were flying an F-4C of the 559th TFS and 12th TFW out of Cam Ranh Bay and scrambled to provide night close air support for troops fighting at Dakto in the Central Highlands. They made a diving attack on a troop target and emerged in the pullup in flames, apparently hit by small and automatic weapon fire. 1LT MARENKA ejected and was rescued by an Army helicopter. 1LT NELSON did not eject and was killed in the crash. 1LT NELSON’S remains are unaccounted for. He apparently rests where he gave his life in direct support of brothers in arms under fire from our enemies. May God continue to bless and keep him.
(9) LT EDWIN WARD VAN ORDEN, USN, was launching from USS ORISKANY in an F-8C of the VF-111 Sundowners and the catapult failed causing the aircraft to dribble off the deck into the sea. LT VAN ORDEN perished at sea fifty years ago this day and rests in peace. RTR author Dr. Richard Schaffert, a squadron mate of LT VAN ORDEN on Oriskany, has contributed a beautiful tribute and testimonial on this tragic event for inclusion in the RTR archives and your information… this was the 30th aircraft lost by Oriskany and Air Wing 16 on this combat cruise.
RIPPLE SALVO… #623… AMONG THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE: Two United States Air Force fighter-bomber warriors: MAJOR RAYMOND WALTER VISSOTZKY and COLONEL VERNON PAYTON LIGON, JR….
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER… EXTRAORDINARY GALLANTRY… MAJOR RAYMOND WALTER VISSOTZKY, United States Air Force…the SILVER STAR… HANOI, NORTH VIETNAM… 19 NOVEMBER 1967…
“The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the SILVER STAR to MAJOR RAYMOND WALTON VISSOTZKY, United States Air Force for GALLANTRY in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai air base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam, on 19 November 1967. On that date, MAJOR VISSOTZKY, after sustaining a direct hit by hostile aircraft, continued on to his assigned target and released his ordinance with unerring accuracy. In so doing, MAJOR VISSOTZKY willing sacrificed his safe escape to a neutral area for ejection in favor of completing his assigned mission. By his GALLANTRY and devotion to duty, MAJOR VISSOTZKY has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”
Among LIEUTENANT COLONEL VISSOTZKY’S combat awards: Three Silver Stars; three Legion of Merit awards; seven Distinguished Flying Cross awards; a hat full of Air Medals and Air Force Commendation Medals and the POW Medal…
AMONG THE BRAVE… EXTRAORDINARY GALLANTRY… LIEUTENANT COLONEL VERNON PAYTON LIGON, JR., United States Air Force…the SILVER STAR… NORTH VIETNAM…24 OCTOBER and again 19 NOVEMBER 1967…(and again while a POW)…
“The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the SILVER STAR to LIEUTENANT COLONEL VERNON PEYTON LIGON, JR, United States Air Force, for GALLANTRY in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an RF-4C Aircraft Commander of the 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over North Vietnam, on 19 November 1967. On that date, Colonel LIGON was shot down while participating in aerial flight in the execution of a high priority reconnaissance mission endeavoring to acquire vital intelligence data in support of the United States’ commitment in Southeast Asia. His tenacity and fortitude were unquestionably displayed when he continued the pursuance of his assigned target after receiving battle damage. By his GALLANTRY and devotion to duty, Colonel LIGON has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”
COLONEL LIGON was a three-war warrior and was a three-time POW. Twice in World War II. After flying 45 combat missions in the P-47 Thunderbolt he was shot down and captured by the Germans. He escaped, but was captured again. His third tour in a POW status was his 5 and 1/2 years in the Hanoi Hilton, where he was among the most senior of the several hundred American POWs from the Rolling Thunder years of carrying the war to the heartland of North Vietnam…
On this date, fifty years after these two great warriors incurred battle damage and kept on coming. Humble Host is honored to blow the dust off their incredible service for our country… with highest respect and admiration… thanks…
RTR Quote for 19 November: W.E. AYTOUN: “There may be danger in the deed, but there is honour too.”…
Lest we forget… Bear