Bulletin Board

From tongue@bellsouth.net Mon Aug 24 11:24:26 1998
Subject: LOOKING FOR SOMEONE
I'm need to know if MAJ.BEER from the 435thTFS is still with us or not? I trying to put the past behind me and put this to rest. If anyone knows if he made it home or not.Please reply to this. My name is Ronald Hannon Sr. I watch his plane go down 2 miles from the runway we do not know if he made it or not. We got no info if he did or not. This happend in 1968. if more info is needed please contact me any time at this e-mail add. tongue@bellsouth.net.

Subject: Re: Night Owl Aircraft Crash Site
15 July 1998.
Would like to let all of you know we have solved the mystery of the F-4 crash site in Laos with Wally Aunam's canopy. The aircraft was F-4D 66-7574, which was being flown as a day Fast FAC, Wolf 05, on 14 June 1969 by 497th crew Capt Jim Grace, aircraft commander, and 1Lt Wayne Karas, pilot. The aircraft was hit by enemy fire and both crew members successfully ejected; unfortunately, during the SAR Capt Grace fell about 200 feet from a hoist lowered by a Pony Express helicopter. Capt Grace was probably killed in the fall and his body was not recovered, he is one of our unaccounted for. The reason we did not make the link sooner was the fact the record location we carry for the Wolf 05 incident is over 50 kilometers southwest of the location of the crash site and some of the material evidence we found at the crash site suggested the crew may have perished in the incident; this was later determined not to be the case. Witness statements from a crew member of the Navy flight Wolf 05 was controlling and one from the rescue helicopter give a TACAN position which falls almost on the crash site we found. Technicians at Boeing, who took over Mcdonnell Douglas, were able to match a production serial number on a partial data plate found at the site to the 66-7574 tail number. We will continue the search for our unaccounted for in personnel in Southeast Asia and when we hit a snag, we will always know we can count on the veterans out there to help us out.

To all 8th TFW members,
Am doing a feature for the Smithsonian on the period at the 8TFW when Robin Olds took over in late 1966. Any details, photos, remembrances of those days most appreciated. I am particularly interested in photos of the burial of "Rapid Roger" in front of the ops building.
E-mail to WCadence@aol.com or FAX to: (562) 439-4433
Regards, Ralph F. Wetterhahn, former Triple Nickel Phantom Phlyer

Subject: Thomas E. Gillen, MIA out of Ubon 2/18/70
I'm wondering if *anyone* out there might have known my father, Thomas E. Gillen, an F-4D driver with the 435th who went MIA on February 18, 1970 on a strike against Route 7, in eastern Laos.
My father ejected his navigator, Robert S. Dotson, who was fortunately rescued later that day, yet a chute was never sighted for my dad.
I'm especially looking for the other men in his flight that day. They were: BANYAN flight: Thomas C. Lowry, Stanley J. Miller, Charles M. Gibson, Louis K. Obdyke,Thomas H. Lewter, George A. Barnes.
Of course, I'd like to talk with *anyone* who knew my father, even if you knew him only from the O'club or BX. If you didn't know him, would you perhaps know of someone from that time and place who might have?
I realize this is a long shot, but if you happen to have *any* information, my family and I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks, in advance. Tom Gillen
Reply-To: gillen@afseo2.eglin.af.mil

I am looking for information. My father, Capt. James E. Steadman flew a phantom F4D with the 497 TFS, 8TFW (Night Owls) out of Ubon, Thailand. He was listed as MIA 26 Nov 1971.
Being that I really never knew him, I am interested in trying to find people who worked with him, in order to get some more insight as to who he was. Can you give me some leads as to where I may try looking?
From: Karin Steadman <coclaygirl@earthlink.net

From: Carol J. DuKett-Cotts cotts@gj.net or n0ldr@juno.com
Subject: L/C Harold W. "Duke" DuKett
I am searching for anyone who may have known my dad, name L/C Harold W. "Duke" DuKett, who was first at Ubon and then Udorn, Thailand, with the Triple Nickel squadron, from 10/67 to 10/68. He was a "River Rat", having flown 102 missions over N. Vietnam in that duration, in his beloved F-4s.
My dad passed away in 1981, having served thirty years with the USAF as a fighter pilot, of which I am very proud. I have contacted people with the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, but so far have had no luck locating anyone who may have known Dad, although everyone there has been extremely helpful in circulating my request for contact from anyone who may have known or flown with him. I hope you can assist and that someone in your realm of communication will recognize the name and perhaps share some anecdotes about my dad. He was my hero and my best friend and I miss him very much. He was full of life and always charging through life with his hair on fire. Could you assist me in my quest? Thank you very much for your assistance.

Another MIA: Can anyone help? Joseph Y Echanis, 497th TFS.... Contact: joerr@EOS.NET
My father is MIA over Laos in 1969. His name is Joseph Y Echanis. He was a Night Owl in the Air Force stationed at Ubon. The night he went down, he was marking targets for 2 Navy attack aircraft. I was wondering if your organization could help me find the two pilots of those aircraft. If so, I will provide you with as much information as I can about the mission that night. Thanks, Victoria

Subject: Wolf Facs
Looking to contact all former Wolf Facs regarding reunion and dedication of memorial plaque at AF museum, Jun 1998. Contact Pat Clark 719 481 2064.
delta11@aol.com

From GeoLattin@aol.com Thu Aug 21 12:06:16 1997
I know this is only a shot in the dark! Would you know the base or the TFW/TFS in Vietnam (1969) that used the call-sign Dusty? I was a O-1 FAC putting in a flight of F-4's (Dusty 61) a little bit in Cambodia 16 Nov 1969; I got hit and they covered me until I got on the ground. If you should know or point me in the right direction my many thanks.
George Lattin
Walt 20,
Gia Ngia, II Corp

From camrac@ix.netcom.com Wed Aug 20 09:23:49 1997
Looking for organizations that might be interested in an exciting video about F-4 Phantoms...including some fantastic air-to-air photography over the Black Rock Desert and the Sierra.
Contact: Dennis Novak c/o Skyfire (702) 323-0965

From hobbie@cncnet.com Sun Sep 21 17:20:27 1997
To any and all who care to help,I have put together the largest known display of POW/MIA metal bracelets and POW uniforms and artifacts in existence. It will be displayed at the President Richard M. Nixon library in California and at the 25th POW Homecoming reunion in Dallas in 1998. After that it will have a permanent home on Randolph AFB in Texas.
I am in need of help with MIA bracelets for the display from any year. I have most of the POW bracelets, but I am sorely lacking in the area of MIA's. As it is my hope this will be the finest memorial to these guys ever put together, I am looking for help from any quarter. Please help if you can...Sincerely,
Lee Humiston 1-916-533-4626 (WK) (best#)1-916-342-3961 (HM)
1 Jordanne Ct., Chico, Ca. 95928 E-mail hobbie@cncnet.com

From jedeth@bellsouth.net Wed Dec 31 00:38:07 1997
Subject: wild weasels
I recently found your home page and I am looking for anyone that knew my father in Vietnam. He was with the 355th TFW out of Takhli. His name is Merle Dethlefsen he passed in Dec. 87 and he was a recipient of the CMOH as an F-105 Wild Weasel pilot in '67. I would also appreciate any info about his fighter wing. Thank you in advance. Jeff Dethlefsen

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Last update: 10 Feb 2006