C-7A Caribou Association Lost and Found

Mark Ippolito writes: (18 May 2021)

My father, Gerald Ippolito recently passed away. I am looking for any pictures or stories you all may be able to share.

Contact Mark Ippolito

Spencer Mcdonald writes: (15 Apr 2020)

I am looking for any pictures or stories of my father Captain Daniel James Mcdonald (537^th 1968). Thank you.

Contact Spencer Mcdonald

C. H. Harney writes: (25 Dec 2018)

My Dad, Marvin Douglas Harney, was in the AF from '64-'68. He was in country from ~Sep. 1966-Dec. 1967 @ Ankhe. He said that 18 people were chosen to go to each Caribou airbase to transfer the Caribous from the Army to the AF. Dad was the one that drew the straw for Ankhe. I would like to hear from anyone around that would have info about this. I have photos and Dad is still alive. He is retired, living on a farm in KY.

Contact C. H. Harney

Greg Szimonisz writes: (14 Nov 2017)

My father, George Szimonisz flew in the 536^th Tactical Airlift Squadron at Vung Tau in '67-'68. He's no longer with us and I'd like to correspond with anybody that knew/worked with him, or even someone that flew a Caribou there in the same time period at Vung Tau. I'm just curious about that time in his life and would like to hear/read stories.

If anybody could recommend some good reading on the subject I'd appreciate that as well.

Contact Greg Szimonisz

David Serbe writes: (12 Jan 2017)

I was an AGE mechanic (Amn) at Vung Tau from Nov 69 until July or Aug 1970, when they moved our Caribous permanently to Cam Ranh Bay. Left there back to U.S. (Homestead AFB) in Nov 70. Vung Tau was very interesting! Lived in the AF compound there; the small chow hall had steak cook-outs on Saturdays. Our pilots lived downtown in Vung Tau in a hotel. I had to pull guard duty there a couple of weeks. SPs dropped me off at midnight by jeep to the hotel, and I walked around its perimeter from midnight to 6AM. We AGE folks shared an open ended building with vehicle maintenance. I often drove the flight line, setting Caribou's up for the next day's missions, with A-1 generators. I often drove our yellow AGE tractor with a couple of our shop dogs, one on each fender. The tractor broke down once for weeks, and I towed AGE around by jeep on the line. Crazy place for a 19-yr old! We had a TSgt. McDonald (I believe) in charge of AGE; I worked with a Canadian who was in our AF: SSgt. Whetung. Anyone familiar with any of these memories - give me a shout! Thanks.

Contact David Serbe

Jeff Brown (MSgt, USAF, Ret.), Editor, Hangar Digest newsletter, AMC Museum, Dover AFB, Del. writes: (22 Dec 2016)

I'm writing an article for the Air Mobility Command Museum's newsletter about the C-7. I feel it always helps such articles if I'm able to get first-hand information from crew members and others who flew or worked on the aircraft I'm writing about. The C-7 we have at the Museum is SN 63-9760. I'd like to talk with any or all of you about the C-7 and this aircraft in particular. My father, MSgt. Walter E. Brown Jr was at CRB (483 Consolidated Acft Maint Sq) as an aircraft engine inspector from August 1969 to August 1970, so you might have run into him.
I'd appreciate hearing from any or all of you via return email.

Contact Jeff Brown

Pat Hanavan writes: (10 Dec 2016)

Does anyone know the present location of C-7A S/N 61-2384 which was flown to Thailand during the last days of the Vietnam War?

Contact Pat Hanavan

I just found your web page and it's my last hope for what I'm looking for. My best friend is the son of John O. Germeraad 535^th TAS in 1968 and the grandson of Brig Gen.John H Germeraad. He always talks about them and wished he had some photos of them then. He talks about a certain one that they were both in and actually smiling. I would like to know if there is anyone out there that would remember and have any photos of them while in Vietnam. I would really love to find something , anything so I can surprise him with a truly wonderful Christmas gift that he can treasure.

Caribou FOLs in Viet Nam: Attention!!! I would like to request INFO from anyone involved with the training of VNAF aircrew and ground crew during the transition of 1971-72 and later. I was assigned to CRB from Aug'71 to March ’72 when we closed down CRB and were reassigned to 2^nd Division of the VNAF at Phu Cat to train Vietnamese Air Force on the C-7A Caribou. I DEROS’d in Sept 72 and we were constantly getting more USAF members along with South Korean and South Vietnamese AF. When I arrived at Phu Cat AB there were only 93 Americans there (counting the 25 or so that I came with). We want to gather, share, and remember the times there at the close of the war and my memory is not that good!!!

Please feel free to contact me with info so that we can track down our history in this almost forgotten mission.

My name is Jake Seren, I was stationed at Vung Tau '69-70' worked on flight line looking for any pictures of a Caribou that was painted up for the Christmas Season. Also would like to hear from anyone stationed there during that time.

My Papaw SSGT (Ret) Elmer Dale Bass was one of the survivors of the Caribou that crashed on Hon Cong mountain 04 October 1966. He never spoke much about what happened before he passed in March of 2015. He always told me if I ever got to meet any of the other survivors from the 1^st cav. To shake their hand and thank them for their service. Now as I get ready to join the army and become Air Mobile myself I find myself wondering the things him and his men endured. My papaw and all of the men of B Co, 8^th Cav Reg, 1^st Cav Div. have my respect as well as every other soldier that has served this country and paid the ultimate sacrifice. My papaw was lucky enough to make it home after the accident and live a good life. I wish the same for all the survivors of the caribou crash 63-9751.

Anyone from first Cav. That knew my grandpa and want any info can contact me at the link below.

[Note: This is a little different from most of the other entries, but it was felt to be appropriate to post it. This is a young Vietnamese woman looking for her father, who was apparently a C-7A crew member.]

Unfortunately I do not have his name. All the major information we had on him was lost during an attack on our village. All I know right now is that he was with the 457/458^th Airlift Squadron, he flew a C-7, he was African American, single, and an only child. He was a sergeant as well stationed at Cam Ranh with his unit from 1966 til about 1969 when he left. I hope that this helps if you search your database. He may recognize this picture attached, that is my mother Muoi which he called her Mai. My name is Kim too by the way, if you do happen to know him please contact me on at the link below. I just want to let him know he has a daughter and two grandchildren. Anything is appreciated. Thank you.

Looking for guys I served with at Vung Tau 1967-68. I was a crew chief on the C-7A Caribou. I was stationed with the 536 TAC Cobra. Would love to reconnect . My name is Rick Davis but the guys called me, “Dave."

I was stationed with the 458th Tas from 69-70 as Crew Chief Red tail 144. If there are any buddies out there just send me an email.

Trying to locate any crewmember, preferably the AC, who blew a tire on takeoff from Phu Cat on 20(?) August 1967. Landed at Cam Ranh Bay with foamed runway & did a 180 loop. No fire. No injuries.

My name is George (Joe) Klingler. I was with the 134^th Aviation Co and the 457^th TCS in '66 - '67. I would like to hear from old hooch mates or anyone else from that time frame.

My name is Ralph Rutkowsky. Crew chief @536 tac (595 plane in 68/69, Vung Tau). Looking for my buddy, Micheal Patrick Lee from Skokie, Illinois.

I would like to find some long lost friends who were in the 457^th TAS out of Cam Rahn Bay and Pleiku. I was a part of this squadron from Nov. 1967 until May 1969. Friends there called me Goody, and I'd like to find Francis, Fish, Bilot, etc.

I am Dennis Christensen son of MSG Dale E. Christensen. I am looking for any information or stories about him, even the Good, the Bad, and the Ones you don’t write home about. LOL. He arrived in country in July 1969 until his final mission on 2 Apr 1970 when the Caribou he was in was shot down over Dak Seang. I would really like to hear from those who knew him. Pictures would be great also. Thanks to all.....

I was a clerk at the 536 TAS maintenance under Major Deardorff the Chief of Maintenance 1967-1968 at Vung Tau. I flew several mission on the C7A all over Viet Nam dropping off supplies to the Army and transporting people and animals. I worked with Red Horse, worked at a club and was captured one night taking Vietnamese home. I was told that the person that was captured with me may live in Iowa. I was riding shot gun and Charlie put a machine gun to my head. We were detained for a long time and finally let go. I didn't get afraid until years later after I left and wondered why I was not killed that night.

Major Deardorff had a blue jeep that I used to help set up Red Horse for the 535 TAS which was our support squardon. I flew with the crew and dropped off supplies in the jungles to the Army. We lived off base until the barracks were built and later we were in Tet. Our outfit was the first to take over the C7A from the Army.

I attended the Uni of Maryland while there and took two English Classes. There was a Major that ran the maintenance dock under Deardorff that smoked Dutchmaster cigars.

I would like to start communicating with those who were stationed with me during that time.

I entered the Air Force from MEPPS Boston the day before Thanksgiving 1969. I have been living in Mesa, AZ for the past 12 years and as of Dec 2010 had to medically retire. I am so excited to have found your website, see your photos, and read your stories.

Just an FYI, my PTSD has gotten worse affecting my memory and that along with my age makes it is easier for me to remember events rather than names so I am hoping that anyone who knew me might recall me from the some of the events below. I think I have some photos around which I will look for and post. I know I have at least one of the famous Chiang Mi incident.

I arrived at Can Ranh Bay on 1/21/1971 and left the Nam from Cam Ranh Bay on 1/21/1972, following C-7A familiarization at Dyess AFB. I recall the big hangout in Abilene was a place called Dukey Land. It was a drive in burger joint where everyone went on Sat nights like in the movie American Graffiti which I was told was where the story line about one of the guys leaving for Nam the next day came from.

I arrived as a Buck Sgt from MacDill AFB, FLA where I crewed C47s and left as a Staff Sgt headed to Richards Gebauer AFB to work in the C-119 Phase Docks.

For the year I was in Nam, I spent 6 months at Cam Ranh and 6 months at Bien Hoa assigned to the recovery team so I flew over 500 hours to fix em and bring them home. As the airstrips we flew into had no lit runways we had to complete the repairs and have gears up before the official time of sunset or we were stuck at the location and nightly rocket attacks until the next day. Fortunately I was pretty good with the repairs and the Aircrews appreciated that with a lot of cases of beer and a few steak dinners at the Navy Club at Cam Ranh Bay.

I was at Cam Ranh when the bomb dumps went up and was part of the shut down team to close up C-7A operations at Bien Hoa and Tan Son Nhut in November & December of 1971. Also during part of the time at Cam Ranh, I was given a pet monkey from a Flt Engineer who was leaving Viet Nam.

Does anyone recall the Seagrams 7 short timers ritual? 30 days before we were scheduled to leave Nam, we were given a bottle of Seagrams 7 which we had to drink and empty the bottle in two weeks. Once it was empty we got to remove the gold and black ribbon and tie it to our watch. Each day we cut off a little piece of the ribbon which symbolized being a short timer.

At Bien Hoa we were housed in the abandoned Red Horse hootches and they were kind enough to leave their AC units for us.

I would love to hear from anyone who recognizes my name or any of the events listed above.

I am trying to locate Joseph "Fred" Bush. Fred and I came out of the 551^st FMS, Otis AFB, Mass. Fred was from Columbus , Indiana.

Maj. Yargile (sp?) was with the 458^th at Cam Ranh Bay while I was there. He was 2^nd in command under Lt. Col John Polk. Bob also ran the operation in Bangkok for a little while. I was sent to Bangkok for a 7-10 day TDY but only spent about 4 days there. Maj. Yargile ran that op during that time. A great guy. When I came back to SAC at Loring I was getting out of active duty under Palace Chase and had to go to Keesler for an interview. I grabbed a ride to Offut but could not get out of there for Barksdale. I was sitting in base ops and there was Maj. Yargile. He said what are you doing here, my answer was trying to get a ride to Barksdale. There was a T-29 sitting on the ramp and they had told me that there was no room it was an inspection team going to Barksdale. It was Bob's inspection team. He just laughed and said come on with me and we can talk. That was the kind of guy that he was.

From: Nguyen, Ba T Civ USAF AFMC AFRL/RBCC
Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 10:44 AM
To: secretary@C-7ACaribou.com
Subject: My T-28 Instructor Pilot

During my T-28 UPT at Kessler AF in 1971, my IP was a former C-7 pilot returning from Viet Nam war. He was a Maj John Leading at that time. I wonder that Maj Leading is one of your C-7A members. If he is, please let me know. I just want to give him a call or email to tell him that I am still alive and living in US. Thank you.

Ba Nguyen
AAR Chief Engineer
AFRL/RBCC
937-255-1135

My father served in the USAF in the 483 Supply Squad at CRB twice. His name is Larry Copeland, he is USAF MSgt retired in 1978. He is looking for people he served with or people who remember him. He is digging up his Vietnam photos as we speak, if he can find them. Dad was in Fuels and is now going to be 70 years young in Sept and survived cancer.

I am Marvin D. White. I was stationed at Chu Lai from Apr 70 to Apr 71. I worked in Operations at first then went to cargo processing. My hooch mate worked at the south end (Bomb Dump). I am trying to find a patch from the 15 APS, if anyone knows where I can find one, please contact me.

Hello Otto

This is PJ, I came down to Vung Tau TDY and you and Bridges trained me. Would like to say HELLO and how are you doing. Please if you see this email drop me a line.

Albert A. Pjosek (PJ)

I was stationed at Vung Tau and Cam Ranh Bay from January 1970 to January 1971. I was in the 535^th and was a Life Support specialist. I was that airman that got up every morning and sent you pilots and engineers on your way to the sounds of Cosby Stills and Nash. I am trying to locate anybody who remembers me. I spent this weekend with Bob Berkey, Steve Fellar, and Kenny Sharp, who were there with me. We also talked to Tim Hurd on the phone. First time we have all been together in 37 years. Anybody who remembers me, or the time spent each evening between the hooches in Vung Tau, or the super hooches in Cam Rahn please contact me. Randy (cat), Joel, Lopez, Ryan, Butch you out there? It was guys like us with the aid of duct tape and wire that kept you flyboys in the sky.

I was doing some research on the Caribou, looking for some information regarding a flight around March 1969. We were bound for a resupply to a SF A Team near Tay Ninh VN and received ground fire while on short final. I was on that flight and came across a list of C-7s and was wondering if I could locate that plane or anyone who was a member of the crew.

I have a picture I believe is the Caribou which I have scanned. (Shown below). It looks like the tail has a KH designation. I talked to one of my team members, (The 3/101st RRC supported all of the Special Forces B Teams and MACV Advisory Teams in III Corps) and he thinks this was Mid March 69 and we were TDY to An Loc/Loc Ninh on that mission. I believe this was Advisory Team 47 and SF B-33. The flight was making a resupply to a SF A Team and then on to Saigon. I happen to be headed to R & R in Sydney and caught this flight out. Basically the damage was machine gun rounds on the pilots side down the fuselage and up the tail section. We were met on the ground by AF personnel but I was anxious to catch my flight to Sydney and didn't stick around, so I always wondered about the crew and wanted to thank them for the excellent job of getting back safe, which I didn't think would happen at the time.

My name is Carl Kunkle. I worked in the Commanders office at Phu Cat during the period of April 1969 through April 1970. I would like to talk to anybody during that time. I was the NCOIC of the Administration Office and also worked with the staff within the Operations Section. I knew some of the Load Masters and knew we lost some friends during that period. It is something that after 30 some years this comes up. I retired from the Air Force in June of 1981. If anybody was there during that period, I would like to hear from you. Thank you in advance.

I am Charles W. Bagnal, Lt. General, U.S. Army, Retired, 221 West Springs Road, Columbia, SC 29223-6948.
The purpose of this e-mail is to let you know that I am helping Ted Dayharsh with a VA claim. The VA is having difficulty locating his active duty health records. One of the items relates to back injuries that he suffered in 2 aircraft accidents while on active duty. One involves an aircraft crash in 1957 for which I have secured a couple of affidavits. The other involves a Caribou crash in August of 1962 at Aloui in the Ashau Valley. Bill Stejback was the first pilot and Ted was the co-pilot. They crashed in the berm at the end of the runway. Ted's back and knees were injured and he was admitted to the U.S. Army hospital in Saigon and was in traction. I tried to call Bill Stejback in Good Hope, GA to get a statement from him but was saddened to hear from his son that Bill died of Alzheimers a couple of years ago.
I need to get in touch with anyone who may have knowledge of this crash and talk to them.

I was a C-7 instructor pilot at Phu Cat in 1972. We trained the Vietnamese and turned the C-7s over to them. Looking for old friends.

My dad is Arthur Germann, and he lives in Dover De. He was a Flight Engineer while in Vietnam and he flew the C7 Caribou from 69 to 70. I would like to know if anyone out there flew with my DAD, Arthur Germann (TSgt Germann).

Contact Barden Revelle (Put "Caribou" in the Subject line so my spam filter won't eat it!)

My father Eugene Gregg served with the Air Force at Phu Cat Air Base from 1966 - 1967. He was a cook. I am looking for anyone who might have served with him as proof that he was in Viet Nam. The VA does not have any record of him serving there.

While at Phu Cat We made a movie of the Boo ops in I Corps. The movie was turned over to the Dehav Tech rep. (can't remember his name) to make copies. This was never done. This movie belongs in Air Force Museum any one that may have info on the Tech. or the movie please contact me.

Susan Kearns writes (8 April 2006) — updated with more photos on 27 July 2006:

If anyone knows how I can contact Maj. "Bear Tracks" Brown please let me know. He was the ALCE officer at Pleiku during Dak Seang 1970.

Looking for anyone who served with the ALCE at Cam Rahn Bay. I was there 1971 to 1972. You guys probably do not remember (maybe some do) that all officers received Bronze Stars for " riding the desks" while the troops got nothing...remember being told by MSGT Lavin (sp) that us enlisted would receive the Air Force Commendation Medal upon our return to "The World"...never happened!!!!!! My feeling is that we deserved no less than the officers got for what we did......C7, C123 and C130 crews...you guys were the best!!!! Bookie, Iris but I cannot remember the other call sign?? Have some pictures if anyone wants to trade. Take care......

The following was sent by Floyd T. Burks of the AAHF to Steve Lentz (9 March 2005):

The AAHF has completed the purchase process of an ex-Army Caribou to provide spares for our operational Caribou. The 'new' Caribou is located at New Smyrna Beach, Florida and while mostly complete, is in somewhat rough shape. It is our intention to attempt to repair 'Bou Two, as she is being called, to a state where she can be safely ferried back to home base at Tara Field in Georgia, to be a parts-donor for 'Bou One. This project is aided by the possible acquisition of an additional Caribou ('Bou Three), which is conveniently located wing tip to wing tip with Two. Three will never fly again, but has many of the parts we need to repair Two. Failing to successfully repair Two, we need to strip her of her engines, flight control surfaces, landing gear and anything else usable for 'Bou One.

To accomplish this in the available time frame, March 28 to April 3, we are advertising for volunteers to join the AAHF's hard core of Caribou personnel, know as the 'Bou Crew, in the disassembly, re-assembly and testing of 'Bou Two. At present, we have offers of equipment and space from the New Smyrna Beach Airport Manager and we intend to take tools and other material such as jacks, waste oil containers and other supplies from Tara to NSB. What we need is help. Some say we need professional help for attempting this project in the time allotted, but that's another issue.

If you feel you would like to be part of this endeavor, please respond ASAP to the contacts listed below. If you would like to help, but are unsure of your mechanical skills or ability to climb all over the airplane as you did all those years ago, we still need lots of help tagging and logging parts, building frames to hold flight control surfaces, driving around the local area on any of a million errands, handling food issues and a ton of other projects.

The challenge has been issued: Recover or strip not one, but two Caribou in the time allotted. If you would like to be part of this exciting project with old friends and new with a common interest, please contact either of the guys below. If you need more information, it's available by email upon request. There are tons of local motels and we have parking space for motorhomes (no hookups, but we're working on that). Some amenities and lots of laughs will be provided.

Mark Bills with Alaska Airborne up here in Wasilla, Alaska interested in getting in touch with some people who know a little something about the Dehavilland Caribou aircraft. Sounds like a pretty amazing aircraft, I am possibly interested in purchasing and operating one up here
in Alaska. I hope to be in touch with you soon.

I was at Vung Tau the night aircraft 61-2399 was hit (23 April 1968). My barracks for the 536^th Squadron was just across the road from the aircraft. I am trying to locate information and other people who were there that night. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

"Bou" pilots,
My name is Samuel Ford, I’m 62 years old and blind.
I am searching for pilots who flew in the South Carolina maneuver area around Camden and Lugoff in the summer and fall of 1964, especially those who either flew or knew those who flew the "Missouri Mule", tail number 4144.
I am writing a story about my ride on the "mule" out of an alfalfa field on a down hill run to the power lines at the end.
If you can help, I will be very grateful.
Thanks again,

B-17 Mechanic Search
Are you a retired or semi-retired A & P Mechanic with radial engine experience? Do you have 4 weeks a year to donate to the B-17 tour? If so, we want to hear from you! We are looking to add a few more A & P mechanics to tour with the B-17 for the 2005 season. The requirements are: Able to donate at least 2 full weeks in the spring and 2 full weeks in the fall. Able to attend and complete training held in February or March yearly (4 days including travel time) Background or interest in Vintage/Warbird aircraft. Have A & P License with radial engine experience. Willing to work as a member of a team. Properly represent EAA and the B-17 to the public.
Please submit a resume of your qualifications and any recommendations to:

If anyone knows the current phone number, address or email address of Roy C. Bell, 537^th 66, please advise!

Trying to locate my roommate from the 535^th TAS at Vung Tau in 1969/70. William Carl Kassen. C-7 pilot, retired Air Force Lt Col. Appreciate any information by email or snail mail.

I'm looking for anyone that might remember me. I was a propeller mechanic at Phu Cat (68-69). I would especially like to find the recovery crew that was with me at Gia Vuc Special Forces Camp. Some names I remember are James Odem, George Sam, Al Blaine, and Martin Burdette. Please contact me at the email below, or at this address:

My dad was stationed at Phu Cat 1968-1969. He was a member of the 537^th TAS. He was a flight engineer. I noticed on your website that there was a dedication in Abilene at Dyess. My dad was stationed there before he retired. I would love to be able to contact someone that knew him. My dad died in 1984. I have a thing someone made that says "537^th TAS Bill Dave George Bill Phu Cat 1968-1969". My dad's name was Billy Powell Owen and he was a TSGT during Vietnam. I appreciate any help you could give me.

I am the son of Major Dale Erickson (537^th Phu Cat '66/'67 and other places). I am looking for photos and/or stories of Dad for the time frame that he flew the Bou. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Dean C. Erickson
LTC, EN, USAR
90th RRC G-4 Supply Division
Comm 501-771-8724
Fax 501-812-1211

I was in Can Tho with the 134^th Army Aviation company later known as the 457^th TAS out of Cam Ran Bay, Republic of Vietnam. My superior was Master Sergeant Fred Boalt. I was wondering if anyone has any information on him or any of the other guys that served in the 457^th TAS From October 1966 to October 1967. Thank you.

I am looking for my old roommate Milt Whiting who was a Caribou pilot in the 536^th in '68-'69. The last I heard he had gotten an assignment to Grand Forks that may have been changed to Germany at the last minute.

I would like to hear from anyone who has any info on the 2 a/c that where sold from the Omani air force to a company in Canada? in 1977. I was one of the ground crew who prepared the a/c in Oman for the transfer to the new owners. Maurice Rose was the overall 'gaffer'. I have some photos of the a/c in Oman and the rest of the crew.

I would like to hear from anyone who knew my uncle, Edmond P. Gaudin. He flew the C-7 in Vietnam and Thailand. I'm pretty sure he was involved in running Caribou school as well.

I am the son of Major Howard "Howie" Berube - 536th in 1968. Would you happen to have any photos from the Caribou pilots in that era? I am looking to obtain old photos of my dad. Thank you.

The last I knew of Henry F. (Hank) Bell, he retired at port when he left Phu Cat around June, 1970, headed home to Ohio. Would love to contact him if anyone knows his whereabouts.

My name is Wayne Richardson and I served in the Army from 1961 to 1964. I am looking for the two pilots that were checked out on the Caribou in 1962 at Hurlburt Field, Florida. At the time I was a 19 year old E-3. I crewed the aircraft for the Air Force while they ran their evaluation on the aircraft at Hurlburt. I do remember one was a captain, the other a 1st Lt. Thought maybe they were part of your organization. The aircraft that was on loan to the Air Force came from the 61st Aviation Co.out of Ft. Bragg, N.C. I remained with the 61st until I was discharged in 1964. The 61st went to Vietnam in '63, and ferried our own aircraft over. I'm currently a member of the Army-Otter-Caribou Association and the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation, both fantastic organizations. Thanks for any assistance you can lend.

I am assisting a 17^th Aviation Company veteran, Mr. Willard Schadler, document an incident where he suffered injuries while in flight over Vietnam. Schadler says he was the Flight Engineer on aircraft #62-4186 in 1966. Schadler says his CO at the time was a Major Franklin, and his pilot CWO4 Thomason and CWO4 Weldon his co-pilot on the mission. Schadler says the aircraft was damaged by enemy fire and he was wounded in the foot.

Schadler says a Captain Zike (sp) put him in for a Purple Heart but the medal was never awarded. Schadler says his Platoon Sergeant, Sergeant Vaughn would remember the incident. Unfortunately, Schadler has not been able to locate Zike, Vaughn, Franklin or Thomason over the years to try to confirm his recollections.

I realize you may not know any of the people or anything about the incident Schadler speaks of but I hope you might be able to refer me to someone who might know. I can be reached by telephone at: 1-800-497-6261.

Robert Baitis is seeking information concerning his father Lt. Walter Baitis 536^th '66, who passed away 11 June 1995. He has a letter from the squadron written to his father upon his departure back to the States. It mentions that Walter was the first member of the 536^th to return to the U.S. The letter states that he spent most of his time at "OL #1", which performs the more complex and demanding tasks of the 536^th mission. If you are knowledgeable of Lt. Baitis' service in Vietnam or have any pictures of him please contact Jim Collier or Robert, below.

Walt Collins (Pilot, 535^th,'68-69) has opened Wally's American Pub 'n Grille in Phoenix, Arizona and extends an open invitation to all Caribou troops to come by. The Guinness is free for as long as you can tell lies about your Caribou experience. Located at 44^th and Camelback, 602-954-2040. Look forward to seeing you.
Walt.

I am looking for people who served in Vung Tau, November 1967 to November 1968. I worked on the line (Crew Chef) in the 535^th; had some good times.

It was with great interest that I read the short account of the demise of my Uncle Gordon's flight on 6 Apr 1970 (Gordon Gaylord, Dak Seang). Although I was only a toddler at the time, I still have a vivid memory of taking a flight with him in his private aircraft shortly before he went to Viet Nam. Gordon Gaylord had three brothers who also served in the Air Force, although none were career men like Gordon. My father was the youngest of those three. I know that his loss was huge and the subject still isn't discussed. I am now a MSgt stationed at Aviano AB, Italy. My brother Mike is a TSgt stationed at McChord AFB, Washington and our younger sister Mary is a TSgt stationed with the Air National Guard at Robins AFB, Georgia. All three of us are aircraft mechanics. I work in structural maintenance and they're both engine mechanics. The knowledge of our Uncle making the ultimate sacrifice for his country propelled all of us towards the Air Force and is a huge motivator for all of us to succeed.

At this point I'd be glad to know if you have any more information about my Uncle's last flight. There's nothing in particular I'm looking for yet I want anything and everything you might have. Pictures of him or his unit would be great. Unit patches would be nice too.

I am looking for John Lloyd. He was in the 535^th at Vung Tau in 1968 to 1969.

I am looking for James Ward. Where are you buddy? I was stationed at Cam Ranh 69-70 with the 483^rd. Anybody out there remember me? Let's talk.

I am looking for anyone from Material Control at Cam Ranh Bay during the period of January 1968 through January 1969. Also, any of the hootch mates from "F-4".

Lost and Found

Revised: 22 May 2021 01:42 PM

Revised:
22 May 2021 01:42 PM