RIPPLE SALVO… #624… The long weekend of 18-20 November 1967 in the skies of North Vietnam was one of the most costly of the Rolling Thunder Campaign. Sixteen American aircraft were lost in three days, mostly to enemy defenses in the Red River Valley. SAMs, MIGs and AAA were working well. The losses were bitter. But courage under fire and the spirit of attack never flinched and despite the losses, the fight was carried into the enemy’s heartland with relentless devotion to duty.This post will report the loss of the last four of the 16 downed aircraft. The post also pays tribute to some of the bravest of the brave who led the bloody fight of 18-20 November 1967. It was a weekend to recall and remember the bloody skies of Rolling Thunder… and the sacrifice and heroism…but first…
Good Morning: Day SIX HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR of a trip through a chapter of American history–now fifty years old: the air war waged in the 1960s called Operation Rolling Thunder…
20 NOVEMBER 1967…HEAD LINES from The New York Times on a cloudy, cold Monday in New York…
Page 1: “WILSON IMPLORES BRITONS TO HELP AID THE ECONOMY AS THE COUNTRY ADJUSTS TO DEVALUATION OF POUND TO $2.40″… Page 1: “Federal Reserve Rate Up; 6 In Common Market Move to Back a Loan to Britain–Paris Joins IMF Offer; May Shun 10-Nation Plan–Dollar Defended — Rise to 4.5% Follows Bank of England Move–Canada Also Acts”…”The United States increased its official lending rate yesterday from 4.0% to 4.5% in a move designed to protect the dollar in the wake of Britain’s Woes.”… Page 1: “Spanish Regime Devalues Peseta–6 Other Currencies Also Cut–Madrid Promises New Restraints On Economy”… Page 1: “The Student Scene: Angry Militants”... “The prevailing mood among student political and social activists in the fall of 1967 is powerlessness. It is also bewilderment, dissension and anger.”… Page 3: “Generals Ponder Foe’s Dakto Aims–Tactic Forces Allies to Shift Units Away From The Coast”… Page 1: “War of Attrition Called Effective by Westmoreland–He and Ambassador Bunker Foresee A Reduction In U.S. Role If Progress Continues”…
Page 2: “The New Jersey, 10-Years In Mothballs Gets Ready for Action”... “One of the last of her line is in ‘excellent condition and a good state of preservation,’ the Navy reports. USS New Jersey is a 59,000-ton battleship that is 24-years old.”… Page 22: “Senator Robert F. Kennedy Assails Health Plans–Will Urge Congressional Study”... “…calls America’s health plans a ‘national disgrace.’ “…Page 27 “Aura Of Malaise Grips Northeast–Area Thrives Economically But People Are Unhappy”… Page 28: “Romney Says President Made Colossal Mistake On Vietnam”…
20 November 1967…The President’s Daily Brief… GREECE-TURKEY: Turkey is prepared to risk war with Greece now rather than to permit the Turkish community to continue living under the threat of hostile action. The Turkish foreign minister laid it on the line last night to Ambassador Hart and the British Charge’. Either the “illegal” Greek troops leave the island quickly, or Turkish forces will land there... UNITED KINGDOM: Wilson will probably be able to ride out the domestic storm unleashed by devaluation and imposition of new economic restrictions. Immediate political reactions were very harsh, however, and criticism of the government will mount as new taxes and other measures begin to be felt… SOVIET UNION: All signs point to an impending Soviet spaces spectacular late this week….
HANOI’S ACCOUNT OF THE FRIDAY (18th) RAID: Hanoi broadcast a statement yesterday claiming that at least 33 civilians were killed and another 158 wounded in the capital city on Friday. More than 100 of the casualties were hit in a single area of less than a half mile square as a result of six steel pellet bombs, according to the broadcast. The Hanoi radio also charged that the Bac Mai hospital, which is adjacent to the airfield, wast by a large number of steel pellet bombs and by two 750-pound bombs. One patient and several medical personnel were killed. The French news agency man in Hanoi seems to confirm the relatively small casualty figure at the Hospital. He reports seeing a number of small pellet bombs, but concluded that casualties were minimal because the patients had either taken shelter or been transferred to safer places…HANOI FIGURES ON EARLIER BOMB CASUALTIES: Last Wednesday, Hanoi’s domestic radio service broadcast another commentary bitterly condemning the raids around the capital. In the seven days, the broadcast claimed, some 200 residents of Hanoi were killed or wounded in the attacks. Another 200 casualties resulted from the series o raids in Haiphong, the broadcast said. The US Embassy in Saigon comments that this broadcast did not distinguish between civilian and military casualties. If Hanoi’s relatively low figures are accepted, the embassy points out, it would mean either that the North Vietnamese shelter protection system offers extraordinary protection or that the US bombing of military targets is very precise indeed.”
Historical Documents Dated 20 November 1967 from the Office of the Historian pertinent to Rolling Thunder...following the muster of the Wise Men there were a number of memoranda addressed to the President. Three are worthy of your perusal. Document 403 is Secretary Rusk’s response to the 1 November McNamara barn-burner and Rusk has quite a few words for the Rolling Thunder operations… One of his recommendations: I would use the bombing of the North as a central card to play in connection with some interest on the part of Hanoi in a peaceful settlement. I would take some of the drama, and the losses, out of our present bombing effort in the Hanoi-Haiphong area. I would be prepared to build upon cease-fires at Christmas, New Year’s and Tet if the enemy shows any interest…” Document 403 is at…
https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v05/d403
In Document 404 Special Assistant Rostow reports to the President the results of a lunch discussion between Rostow and Westmoreland…. Document 404 is at…
https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v05/d404
Document 408 is a “Paper Prepared by the Assistant Secretary of State…Bundy that is a side-by-side comparison of where State and Defense stand on various issues including the air campaign… worth a quick look…at:
https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1964-68v05/d408
20 NOVEMBER 1967… OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER…
AMONG THE BRAVE over North Vietnam on 19 November 1967…. COLONEL ROBERT W. SMITH, USAF; MAJOR GERALD C. GUSTAFSON, USAF; and MAJOR BRUCE D. SHORT, USAF…awarded… the AIR FORCE CROSS…
“The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the AIR FORCE CROSS to BRUCE D. STOCKS, Major, United States Air Force, for EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM in military operations against an opposing armed force as the Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 19 November 1967. On that date, Major STOCKS led a flight assigned to suppress the surface-to-air missile threat for a twenty-ship strike force that had been directed to attack a strategic rail yard at the edge of Hanoi. He delivered his ordnance on the most threatening site and warned the strike force of imminent SAM attack. Due to his timely warning they were able to evade a salvo of missiles and depart the target area without damage. As Major STOCKS turned to follow them out, shrapnel from an exploding surface-to-air missile hit his aircraft, wounding him in the chest and shoulder. When his wingman was hit seconds later, Major STOCKS, in spite of his wounds, turned back toward the heavily defended target to successfully escort the damaged aircraft to a safe bailout area. Through his EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major STOCKS reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”
“The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the AIR FORCE CROSS to GERALD C. GUSTAFSON, Major, United States Air Force, for EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM in military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Aircraft Commander of the 33d Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base. SEVENTH Air Force, in action over North Vietnam on 19 November 1967. On that date Major GUSTAFSON’s aircraft was severely damaged by a surface-to-air missile while he was assisting another pilot who had received battle damage and had been wounded. Major GUSTAFSON refused to leave his comrade until other escort aircraft could be vectored in to give the wounded pilot assistance in reaching his home base safely. Only then, did Major GUSTAFSON egress to a safer area where he was force to eject from his own stricken aircraft. Through his EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness, Major GUSTAFSON reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”
“The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the AIR FORCE CROSS to ROBERT W. SMITH, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force, for EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM in military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-105 Pilot of the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, 7th Air Force, in action in Southeast Asia on 19 November 1967. On that date Colonel SMITH led a strike force of twenty F-105 and four F-4 aircraft in the vicinity of Hanoi for the initial strike on an important military target. Colonel SMITH gallantly led his force through a hostile enemy aircraft attack, an awesome and extended attack by missiles which downed two aircraft, and into heavy antiaircraft defenses to strike crippling blows to the assigned target and to a large surface-to-air missile site. Colonel SMITH never wavered from his goal, and with complete disregard for his life, displayed great courage and determined leadership to accomplish an extremely hazardous and difficult mission. Through his EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Lieutenant Commander SMITH reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”
New York Times (21 Nov reporting 20 Nov ops)…Page 1: “In the air war, four more American planes were shot down yesterday over North Vietnam, raising the total to 749 reported lost in the North. Eleven Air Force and Navy planes have been reported downed in the last four days….Two Air Force F-105 Thunderchiefs were reported downed by ground fire in the Hanoi area and two Navy F-4 Phantoms were downed in the Haiphong area.”
“Vietnam: Air Losses (Chris Hobson) There were four fixed wing aircraft lost in Southeast Asia on 20 November 1967…
(1) LCOL J.C. SCHOLTZ and CAPTAIN J. CIMINERO were flying an RF-4C of the 11th TRS and 432nd TRW out of Udorn and executing a photographic reconnaissance in the area of Hanoi when hit by a round of 85mm. LCOL SCHOLTZ and CAPTAIN CIMINERO immediately turned west with the hope of nursing the wounded Phantom over friendly territory. They came up a little short of the Laotian border before having to eject. A USAF helicopter made the rescue before the enemy could reach the two survivors… oohrah…
(2) CAPTAIN JOHN MURRAY MARTIN and LT JAMES LINSDAY BADLEY were flying an F-4C of the 480th TFS and 366th TFW out of Danang on an armed reconnaissance mission to search for a SAM site north of the DMZ. After locating and striking the site, on their third run their Phantom took two hits by ground fire. Captain MARTIN turned toward the sea and as they crossed the beach LT BADLY ejected and was rescued. CAPTAIN MARTIN inexplicably did not eject and rode the aircraft into the sea fifty years ago today. He remains where he fell in the service of our country…
(3) CAPTAIN WILLIAM WALLACE BUTLER was flying an F-105d of the 469th TFS and 388th TFW out of Korat as part of a strike force headed to a bridge target on the northeast rail line. The flight was intercepted and attacked by MIG-21s and CAPTAIN BUTLER’s aircraft was hit by an air-to-air missile. The damage was catastrophic. The aircraft was uncontrollable and CAPTAIN BUTLER was forced to eject. Unfortunately, he was captured immediately, precluding a SAR effort. He was released from POW service in March 1973.
(4) An S-2E antisubmarine aircraft of the VS-21 Fighting Redtails embarked in USS KEARSARGE disappeared over the South China Sea on a training flight with two pilots aboard. Searches failed to find wreckage or airmen… gone 50 yeas ago today but remembered here…
RIPPLE SALVO… #624… The following are excerpted from the Rolling Thunder briefing to CinCPac for the period of 16-30 November 1967 and the Plunkett compilation (34TFS/F-105 History) … 20 Nov 67: “In the afternoon…four flights of four F-105Ds from the 388th TFW, (‘Locust,’ ‘Dallas,’ Bass,’and ‘Scuba’) and fore more from the 355th TFW (‘Wildcat,’ ‘Bison,’ ‘Kingfish,’ and ‘Marlin’) struck two bridges in RP-6A, North Vietnam”… “The Korat (388th) strike force encountered MiGs and one F-105 from Korat (‘Dallas 3’ Capt William W. Butler from the 469thTFS) was downed by an air-to-air missile from an MiG-21 during ingress to the Lang Lau bridge.”
The other F-105 target for the afternoon was the Thai Nguyen rail bridge….”6-8,000′ overcast all along egress. Sixth miles into North Vietnam we were attacked by several flights of MiG-21s. Bill butler got it right away by missile. ejected OK. We broke right and two missiles just missed us. We jettisoned everything and began egress. passed Bill in chute on way out. No chance for rescue. Morale at lowest. ( Earl Henderson on his 42nd mission). “Takhli’s strike force was 15 minutes behind the four F-105 strike flights from Korat. Takhli’s primary target was the Lang Lau railroad bridge … the Lang Lau railroad bridge was the third of only three railroad targets in North Vietnam that the Air Force hit between 16-30 November…”
…”Takhli pilots dropped a total of 71 M-117s and four M-118s on the bridge…Pilots estimated their bombs cut the approaches and damaged or destroyed the bridge’s structure. They encountered delayed, moderate to heavy barrages of 37/57mm AAA between 4,000 to 10,000-feet and light, mostly inaccurate 85mm to 16,000-feet ‘Pilots reported all ordnance on target but BDA photography was not forthcoming due to weather.”… “A cloud hanging just southwest of the railroad bridge prevented two F-105s from hitting the primary target but they dropped their four M-118s on the adjacent Lang Lau highway bridge. Smoke prevented BDA but pilots reported they possibly cut one approach. This was the fourth time since 4 October that pilots from Takhli’s 357th TFS had struck this bridge…”
Humble Host salutes the entire corps of F-105 fighter-bomber airmen of the Rolling Thunder era. Unsurpassed guts!…
RTR Quote for November 20: WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN, ADDRESS IN 1880: “THERE IS MANY A BOY HERE TODAY WHO LOOKS ON WAR AS ALL GLORY, BUT, BOYS, IT IS ALL HELL. YOU CAN BEAR THIS WARNING VOICE TO GENERATIONS TO COME. I LOOK UPON WAR WITH HORROR.”… (Short form: “War is hell.”)
Lest we forget… Bear