RIPPLE SALVO… #534… The 20-22 August 1967 ops rate expanded coverage. One day covering the agony of the loss of so many aircraft and warriors on the 21st doesn’t tell the whole story…This post continues the story of 21 August to the exclusion of all other events of the day… Included: Tales of USS Intrepid and Carrier Air Wing TEN and the 355th TFW participation in that historic day… (USS ORISKANY and USS CONSTLLATION covered in RS #533/RTR/Mighty Thunder 21 Aug)…
Good Morning: Day FIVE HUNDRED THIRTY-FOUR of remembering the events of the air war fought fifty years ago and the aviators who carried the war to the enemy’s heartland at great cost…
22 August 1967… New York Times 23 Aug (Dateline 22 Aug)… “”4 MORE JETS LOST IN RAIDS ON NORTH–8 U.S. FLIERS ARE MISSING–3 OF 4 DOWNED IN CHINA ARE DEAD, PEKING REPORTS”… “Six American planes were downed in raids on high priority targets near Hanoi and Haiphong yesterday (21st). The loss of two of the planes, reported to have been shot down in Communist China as they attempted to evade North Vietnamese interceptors had been announced earlier in Washington. A military spokesman said that one of the two planes, both A-6 Intruders, was hit by ground fire during its target run against the Ducnoi railroad yards five miles northeast of Hanoi. Off target the two A-6s swung north to avoid the antiaircraft cannons and surface-to-air missiles massed around Hanoi. The two Navy planes were then pursued by supersonic MIG jets through heavy clouds and Thunderstorms. The Intruders have a top speed of only about 650mph and carry no defensive armament. They may have crossed the border through a navigational error but it was regarded as more likely that they did so in a last desperate effort to reach the Gulf of Tonkin… The four crewmen were listed as missing in action as were the four men aboard the other planes–an A-6 and two F-105 Thunderchiefs that went down near the Vietnamese capital. As for the sixth plane–a Navy Phantom that crashed 15 miles inland from the port city of Haiphong–the pilot and co[pilot were rescued in minutes by helicopter. The six planes brought to 653 the announced number of planes lost in North Vietnam since the air attacks begun in 1965.
NYT, 23 Aug (DL 22 Aug) Page 1: (Report from NVN press) “U.S. JETS FLATTEN BUILDINGS IN RAID ON CENTER OF HANOI”… “United States war planes bombed the center of Hanoi today and the North Vietnamese authorities said numerous lives have been lost. The bombs flattened a number of houses and shops in the south central part of the capital, trapping a number of people. Rescue workers, firemen, and crane crews worked furiously to free them from the smoking ruble. (The United States military command made no mention of the attacks in the center of the city. A major target was the Paul Doumer bridge five miles north of the city and the Van Dien complex five miles south of the city.)”…
NTY, 23 Aug (DL 23 Aug) Page 1: “BRIDGE NORTH OF HANOI HIT”… “American fighter-bombers pilots damaged the railroad and highway bridge across the Canal des Rapides five miles northeast of Hanoi yesterday (22nd) in continued heavy raids in the area around the North Vietnamese capital…It was the third straight day of renewed air attacks on rail bridges, lines and yards in the Hanoi area days after a weeks lull caused by bad weather. On Sunday (20th) the United States command announced planes raided the Hagia railroad and highway bridges and a transshipment point 20 miles north of Hanoi and the Huongvi rail yard 40 miles to the northeast of the capital.
“A day later (21st) Navy pilots attacked the main power plant in Hanoi, 1.1 miles from the center of the city. It had last been hit on June 10 and was reported to have been operating at about 75-percent of capacity in recent weeks.
“In yesterday’s (22nd) raids…Air Force pilots concentrated on the northwest rail line running through the Red River Valley from the China border area to Hanoi. Air Force F-105 Thunderchief pilots struck two bridges near the northwest end of the line closest to China being 35 miles south of the border. There was no immediate report of American aircraft losses…in contrast to the six American warplanes reported lost on Monday’s (21st) raids.
“Besides the Hanoi power plant targets bombed Monday (21st) included the railyards at Trungquang and Yenvien, 7 and 6 miles northeast of the capital, respectively, and the Van Dien supply depot 7 miles to the south. (see below)…
“Returning pilots were quoted as having counted 200 to 250 freight cars in the two yards. The cars were believed to be immobilized by the attack 11 August on the Paul Doumer Bridge, which carries the tracks of the northeast rail line running to China.
“In all 132 missions were flown in North Vietnam Monday, 21 August, although the number of missions was down from earlier, the number of sorties remained fairly constant.
“Carrier pilots carried out the first strike of the war against North Vietnamese naval headquarters at Port Walling, 61 miles northeast of Haiphong and 15 miles south of the Chinese border. Other strikes were directed against the small Kepha airfield 37 miles north-west of Haiphong. The Phuly transformer station and railroad bridge 35 miles south of Hanoi, and weapons positions and supply routes just north of the demilitarized zone.”…
Page 1: “Rail Cars Backed Up”… “The Canal des Rapides bridge, one of the two-man spans leading into Hanoi, had been hit three times before yesterday. The other main target is the Paul Doumer Bridge… the attacks and damage to the bridge has caused a back-up of rail cars bringing supplies from China.”
“Vietnam: Air Losses” (Chris Hobson) There were two fixed wing aircraft lost in Southeast Asia on 22 August 1967…
(1) CAPTAIN H.D. CANTERBURY was flying an F-100D of the 510th TFS and 3rd TFW out of Bien Hoa on a close air support mission and attacking a bunkered Vietcong force when hit by small arms fire. CAPTAIN CANTERBURY was able to pull-up and eject to be rescued by an Army helicopter…
(2) 1LT FRANCIS BARNES MIDNIGHT and 1LT A.M. SILVA were flying an F-4D of the 455th TFS and 8th TFW out of Ubon on a night strike on a ferry about ten miles south of Dong Hoi when they were downed. 1LT FRANK MIDNIGHT rolled into a dive on the target and was hit by AAA in the dive, as he was losing control of the aircraft he ordered an ejection. 1LT SILVA went first at very low altitude and his cute opened in time to get one full swing before contacting trees . 1LT MIDNIGHT did not get free of the aircraft before it crashed and exploded. 1LT SILVA was rescued at dawn from his perch in a tree. Due to the density and hostility of the area the SAR forces looking for 1LT MIDNIGHT was terminated by noon on the 23rd. He was listed as missing in action, but with years of no clues on his status, living or dead, his status was changed to killed in action, presumed dead, body not recovered. The following note was left at CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT’S memorial in Arlington National Memorial, a former squadron mate, Bob Miller left the following…I quote…
“I was a back-seat pilot with Frank’s squadron, the 435th TFS out of Ubon. Our squadron had just deployed to Ubon and were flying our first combat missions. I particularly remember Frank’s incident, since I was flying in the next two-ship night armed recce flight from Ubon. When we checked in with ABCCC we were informed that there was a aircraft down and given a location about 20 miles north of the DMZ. It was easy to find; there was still a large fire burning where the aircraft had impacted. We soon established radio contact with the back-seat pilot, 1LT SILVA ( I believe his first nam was Albert). There was no radio contact Frank. LT SILVA was very uncomfortable hanging with his parachute snagged in a tree. Our flight stayed on station with several recyles to the tanker. The flight from the 497th “Night Owls” and my aircraft commander, Captain Joh Druhl, was flying number two and crewed with an experienced 497th GIB.”
“At first light the Sandys and then the Jollies (Jolly Greens) were on the scene. There was some enemy activity and I remember some CBU-2 munitions being laid down to keep the bad guys way, But the rescue went off without any serious problems. I do recall LT. SILVA saying something to the effect that the aircraft seemed out of control at low altitude and Frank gave the order to eject. He immediately ejected and said that he swung once in his parachute and immediately was snagged in the tree.”… End quote of Bob Miller (oldf4driver@aol.com)
CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT remains where he fell on this day fifty-one years ago. He is remembered with respect and admiration…And I lcan only hope that the Joint Recovery guys have this recovery high on their list… He has been left behind long enough!!!
21 AUGUST 1967… Excerpts from “34 TFS/F-105 HISTORY,” a compilation by W. Howard Plunkett…
“Four 355 TFW F-105Ds in ‘Kingfish’ flight dropped twenty-four M-117 bombs on the Yen Vein railroad classification yard (JCS -19) …North Vietnam. ‘Kingfish’ was the last flight into the target and reported the entire yard covered with ordnance except the NE portion containing 10-12 pieces of rolling stock with 1 or 2 of them possibly being locomotives. The flight placed all ordnance in the NE section completing target coverage. Estimate all rolling stock destroyed.’ The flight encountered flak throughout their bomb run.”… “While coming off the target, the flight saw two silver MiG-21s approaching from the south at 9 o’clock. The MiGs began pursuing the flight but broke off and continued heading for Hanoi when the MiG pilots realized the F-105s were too far ahead of them.”
“LCOL Obdiah A. Dugan, commander of the 357 TFS, led a flight against the railroad yard. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (Third Oak Cluster) “…Colonel Dugan skillfully led his flight through difficult prestrike and post strike rendezvous and, disregarding his personal safety, led his flight through intense antiaircraft fire and eight surface-to-air missile attacks to deliver a crippling blow to vital railroad yard, severely compounding the hostile forces logistics problems…”… “Two other pilots from the 357 TFS also flew against the railroad yard. On the mission…Capt Bruce J Lotzbire…and Capt Jay Criddle Hess… Capt. Hess’ strike camera showed bombs impacting the railyard, ground fire and a damaged bridge.”
“Maj George G. Clausen, the 34 TFS commander, received a Distinguished Flying Cross (1st Oak Leaf Cluster) for flying this mission. “Major George G. Clausen distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight over North Vietnam on 21 August 1967. On that date, Major Causen was a member of a flight assigned to strike a heavily defended railroad yard located in North Vietnam. In spite of adverse weather, intense antiaircraft fire, and two surface-to-air missiles launched at the flight. Major Clausen pressed the attack and accurately released his ordnance on target, resulting in the destruction of numerous pieces of rolling stock and inflicting severe damage to the railyard. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Clausen reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”
ON 21 AUGUST 1967, UNITS OF ATTACK CARRIER AIR WING TEN EMBARKED IN USS INTREPID (CVS-11) STRUCK THE VAN DIEN ARMY SUPPLY DEPOT COMPLEX FOUR MILES SOUTH OF HANOI, NORTH VIETNAM. The strike was part of a joint Air Force-Navy strike during which units of Attack Carrier Air Wing Sixteen embarked in USS Oriskany and units of Attack Carrier Air Wing Fourteen embarked in USS Constellation hit other strategic targets in the Hanoi area. The Van Dien army supply Depot, JCS-62, is part of the Hanoi military supply complex…
(Webmaster note: Van Dien is the target that cost the Navy six sircraft and ten men on 19 May 1967)
Target Defenses. The target, situated well within the Hanoi air defense perimeter is in the most heavily defended area in North Vietnam. Twenty-two SAM sites had been identified within the SA-2 missile range 17.5nm of the target, nine of these wer confirmed to be active. An additional 44 SAM sites had been identified 18 to 30nm distant. Identified AAA activity within 4.5nm of the target included 38 active AAA revetment s of 37/57/85mm consisting of n estimated one hundred eighty-six guns. In addition, moderate to intense heavy machine gun and small arms fire was anticipated during the pull-out from the diving attacks and during the low altitude retirement. Intelligence evaluations indicated a substantial MiG threat from the enemy airfield surrounding Hanoi.
The Mission Evaluation..Post-Strike Report: The success of this mission is recognized and supported by the messages of commendation received by USS Intrepid and Carrier Air Wing TEN from higher authority. Several factors make this mission stand above others. First, it was brilliantly planned and coordinated. The strike group achieved the maximum amount of destructive power with the minimum of assets with simple basic procedures executed in an extraordinarily effective manner. Strict radio discipline, missile and flak warnings, and the strike leader commands were clearly heard by the entire flight. That three aircraft were lost by the other strike groups on similar missions attests to the fierce opposition encountered. The level of damage achieved against this important, heavily defended target attests to the skill, heroism and teamwork of the pilots who flew the strike; to the planning and execution of the division leaders and the gallant and inspiring leadership of the strike leader, both in developing the overall plan an in its flawless execution.”
COMMANDER CARRIER AIR WING TEN KEN BURROWS was the fearless leader of this successful strike… His Silver Star award recommendation tells the story…
In the name of the President of the United States, the Commander-in-Chief of the United Sates Pacific Fleet takes pleasure in awarding the SILVER STAR to Commander KENNETH ALLISON BURROWS, United States Navy, for service as set forth in the following proposed citation…
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Commander, Attack Carrier Air Wing Ten, embarked in USS Intrepid (CVS-11), on 21 August 1967. Commander Burrows planned, briefed and led a twenty-six aircraft strike against the Van Dien Supply depot located four miles south of Hanoi, North Vietnam. Commander Burrows’ outstanding airmanship, his extraordinary leadership and immeasurable depth of combat experience were factors which contributed substantially to the highly successful execution of this strike against a vital enemy asset which was heavily defended by the entire spectrum of antiaircraft weapons. Commander Burrows’ painstaking planning and coordination resulted in a brilliant tactical plan which advantageously deployed his Strike Group in a manner which afforded maximum protection against surface-to-air missiles, intense and accurate antiaircraft fire and enemy aircraft. His rapid and precise selection of tactical maneuvers to meet these threats was responsible for the superb flight integrity of the strike group, which reached the target. Although under extremely heavy fire Commander Burrows calmly and systematically coordinated a precisely timed attack. In a devastating attack he delivered all of his ordnance on target. Through Commander Burrows thorough mission planning, combat composure, relentless pursuit and extraordinary skill and courage, intrepid example and steadfast devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”….
Among the brave on this very successful strike: COMMANDER JIM SNYDER, XO, VA-15; LCDR TOM CORKHILL, VSF-3; LCDR SAM HAWKINS, VA-34; LCDR OLIN DAY, VSF-3; LCDR EUGENE VICTOR TETER, VA-34; LCDR BOB JONES, CAG-10 STAFF; LTJG DAVID CULLER, VA-15; LCDR JERRY TUTTLE, VA-15; LCDR GEORGE FRENZEL, VSF-3; LT WILSON KEY, VA-34; and LTJG ROBERT POWELL, VSF-3… oohrah!!!
RTR QUOTE for 22 August: MARK TWAIN (“Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” (Eclipse chapter) : “Let the enchantment dissolve and pass harmless away.”
Lest we forget… Bear