On Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:18:39 -0600, Big John
wrote:

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So john, tell us about some of your sorties in Nam. I would also like
to hear some of the R&R stories as well.

Wil


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Will

Nam was very much like other conflict/wars.

Lost some close friends and acquaintances.
Killed enemy.
Got shot at.

I was in the FAC business. Besides being Director of II DASC flew a
combat sortie on average of every other day when I had paper work
done.

I lost two of my pilotsout of about 35 during my tour.

First was buzzing returning from mission and ran into a tree top
killing him and the ARVN observer.

Other was in mountainous terrain and a high wind that day. Just never
came back and never found. Best guess was that he got trapped in a
canyon and with wind and mountain gusts couldn't get turned around????

My order of best close air support fighters 'in country'.

Spooky's in a class by them selves.

My cousin played bait/target in the little Bell 47s.
He also flew Hueys (with guns on skids). Took in a bunch of troops,
came under fire. Used Huey to block fire and took out enemy. Huey went
down and burned with all on board. He didn't get out. Had Silver Star
waiting from previous mission that he never knew he earned.

It was written up on popasmoke. There used to be quite a story there,
but I see they just have the essentials now..
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com