Vietnam Vet

[Spikes]

I never really got to talk much with my grandfather about Vietnam, until this past weekend when they were visiting from PA. We've had some smalltalk before, but I was glad to have a quite in-depth conversation. He is a retired Major, Air Force during 'Nam, turning 70 this April. He flew KC-97s, C141's, and OV-10s. The C-141's were his baby for sure, he wishes they had never retired them, and figured they'd be still in service today.

We also talked much about his tour over there in the OV-10's. He didn't recall much, but luckily I read a book (Burn Us Upside Down) about the Misty's during that time, who flew dangerous combat missions in F100's, marking targets for fighter-bombers. So I could actually relate to some of the things he talked about. His missions were more based on the south however, so he didn't have much knowledge of the Misty's except for the couple times they flew down there. Also told me how the Navy was infamous for throwing a 'ground attack' group composed of multiple different aircraft, such as a Phantom, an F7, and an F8, or two F7s and a Phantom, etc. Found that pretty funny myself.

Another short talk was about when he had just gotten married to my grandmother, while they were on their honeymoon, there was a combat alert where B-47s were put on alert and he was one of the selected pilots, at McGuire. So he had to go back to the base and sit on ready alert. However, they never saw the action that was intended.

The last (which he had told me about before but not in real detail) was a top secret mission when a Russian sub went down off some coast, and the US was trying to get to it so they could get the missiles from it. The sub slid off the reef even more, only leaving a small portion of it still within reach. His mission was to transport the missiles (when retrieved) back to the states in the Starlifters. However, it never took place since the missiles were never retrieved. I did a little digging, and found a background of the sub and story: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Azorian

Kind of just babbled on here, hope some of you guys enjoy it!

[JTs]

Also told me how the Navy was infamous for throwing a 'ground attack' group composed of multiple different aircraft, such as a Phantom, an F7, and an F8, or two F7s and a Phantom, etc. Found that pretty funny myself.

as one of the lucky sailors who got to walk around in s.e.asia with the marines spotting targets for the uss brooklyn i found nothing funny about it. oh and btw at least the navy showed up when called.

[Nefarious]

Also told me how the Navy was infamous for throwing a 'ground attack' group composed of multiple different aircraft, such as a Phantom, an F7, and an F8, or two F7s and a Phantom, etc. Found that pretty funny myself.

I'm assuming you mean the A-7, instead of F-7.

All of those aircraft including the F-8 could carry lots of Iron Bombs and other ordinance to help guys on the ground. Its hard to say just how many American lives were saved by USN, USMC & USAF close air support missions.

[Masherbrum]

I'm assuming you mean the A-7, instead of F-7.

All of those aircraft including the F-8 could carry lots of Iron Bombs and other ordinance to help guys on the ground. Its hard to say just how many American lives were saved by USN, USMC & USAF close air support missions.

A-7, yes.   They also used A-1 Skyraiders with much success.   

[Nefarious]

Oh yes, can't forget the A-1, Masherbrum.

I should of emphasized to the Original Poster that the F-8 could carry twelve 500lb bombs and two Rocket Pods and the USMC used the F-8 squadrons regularly for CAS.

[IronDog]

It has been a number of years,but I will try to tell the hill  43 rescue effort.A couple of ARVN Battalions  had ran into some VC battalions,and broke and ran.My outfit was 3/3 And I carried a Flame thrower.As we were closing in on hill forty three,I told my Sergeant the there were a lot of black pajama clad folks swinging in behind us.and that perhaps the LT should be notified. He said that he would radio the LT and give the info.The LT radioed back that he had the situation right where we wanted it.A few minutes later the VC slammed the door on a triangle ambush,and the crap was flying.One of are Corpsman was the first to go down,from mortar 60 mm mortar fire,and automatic fire was coming in from all angles.I got rid of my tank,as I didn't see anything that needed some heat on it.Seconds later another Chicom Mortar exploded near me and another Marine,both took hits,mine was the left shoulder.The other guys was worse.he had a F.O. with us And soon large projectiles From the USS St.Paul were chewing up the ambushers.and they slithered back into the jungle.Hats off to the USN.

ID