In loving memory of... Captain Charles Stephen Franco.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
CHARLES STEPHEN FRANCO - Air Force - CAPT - O3
Age: 25
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Jun 12, 1940
From: NEW YORK, NY
County of Record: NEW YORK CITY
Graduation - 1962
KIA Date - 6/7/1966
Squadron - CS 07
Home Town - Brooklyn
High School - Polytechnic Preparatory School
High School Activities - Football, Lacrosse, Wrestiling,
Academy Experiences - Judo Brown Belt Champion, Wrestling, Gun club, Dance Committee
Academic Degree Major - B.S. - USAFA
Active Duty Assignments - Pilot Training, B-47 Pilot, O-1E Pilot
KIA Conflict - Vietnam
Combat Information - Jade FAC,0-1E, 19 TASS, 505 TACG, USAF, Bien Hoa
Killed In Action Mission - During a visual reconnaissance mission a Bird Dog from Bien Hoa crashed seven miles north of Vung Tao. Enemy action was thought possible but not confirmed as being the cause of the crash, which killed both crewmen.
Next of Kin - Robert M (son), Dr & Mrs Saverio C Franco (parents)
Burial Site - USAFA
MIA Information - 06 07 1966 - 01 15 1967
Aeronautical Speciality Rating - Pilot
Notable Decoration Awards - PH, 6 AM
Parents made the initial donation in his honor for the Graduate Memorial Wall. Honored on the FAC Memorial located in Memorial Park, Colorado Springs, CO
Marital Status: Single - Robert M Franco(son)McGuire AFBase in New Jersey,
Parents: Dr & Mrs Saverio Charles Franco, Born April 15, 1908 in Brooklyn, New York. Mother: Jessie M. Franco of Brooklyn, New York. Died Dec. 2, 2006 and buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, Maryland. Sister, Judith Franco Doherty(Bryan).
* Paternal Grandparents: Pasquale Franco and Conzolata D'Auria Franco.
***** To my darling Jade,From your sister, Jude
Judith F. Doherty
Added: Jul. 27, 2014
***** "Jade" FAC Charles Franco lost while supporting the 1st Australian Task Force 7 Jun 66.
Jim Meade
***** United States Public Records
Name: Dr. Saverio Charles Franco - YOUR DAD
Also Known As: S Chas Franco
Residence Date: 01 Jan 2004-01 Jan 2005
Residence Place: Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States
Birth Date: 15 Apr 1908
Address Continued: Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
2rd Address Continued: New York, New York 10013
* Possible Relatives: J S Franco, Jessie I Franco, Judith A Franco.
***** United States Census, 1940
Saverio Franco Head M 32 New York - YOUR DAD
Jessie Franco Wife F 27 New York - YOUR MOM
CAPT - O3 - Air Force - Regular
Length of service 4 years
His tour began on Feb 21, 1966
Casualty was on Jun 7, 1966
In PHUOC TUY, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
MILITARY DATA
Service: United States Air Force
Grade at loss: O3
Rank: Captain
ID No: 63835
MOS: 1115: Pilot
Length Service: 04
Unit: 19TH TAC AIR SPT SQDN, 505TH TAC AIR CTRL GROUP, 7TH AF
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: 02/21/1966
Incident Date: 06/07/1966
Casualty Date: 06/07/1966
Age at Loss: 25
Location: Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Identified: 01/15/1967
Casualty Type: Hostile, died while missing
Casualty Reason: Fixed Wing - Crew
Casualty Detail: Air loss or crash over land
Panel 08E - Line 16
Other personnel involved: Captain John Charles Jacobs.
Captain Franco was a Jade Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa.
He was flying a Visual Reconnaissance mission with Captain John Charles Jacobs in O-1E S/N 55-4736 when they were lost to possible enemy action seven miles north of Vung Tau in Phuoc Tuy Province South Vietnam.
He had 4 years of service and had served 112 days in combat.
Wreckage later found in an isolated area on 14 January 1967.
**************************************************
FRANCO, Charles S.
Class of 1962
Captain
- O-1E copilot on a visual reconnaissance mission on 7 June 1966 but never returned to friendly control
- participating in FAC and reconnaissance missions from 16 May to 7 June 1966 and was a member of the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron at the time
- Wreckage later found in an isolated area on 14 January 1967
- As a cadet, served as Squadron Athletic Officer and Squadron Supply Officer
- Eastern Collegiate Brown Belt Judo Champion and won the 1962 Talon Award for the Outstanding Athlete in Judo at the Academy
- Earned 6 AM
- Buried in the USAFA Cemetery and his relatives encouraged the building of the USAFA War Memorial, giving the initial donation for the project
- Name is now on the USAFA War Memorial
- Remembered for his strong love for God, cheerful outlook, and dedicated love of flying
Bullets compiled by Heather Beer, Association of Graduates intern, Summer 2005.
*********************
On 16 May we deployed to an area of South Vietnam which is about 10 miles north of the Port of Vung Tau. The purpose was to clear an area in preparation for the arrival of a new Australian unit in Vietnam. Your son's duty as a Forward Air Controller involved a steady diet of flying, As you probably know; this had a definite appeal to him! During the period 16 May until 7 June, he flew Forward Air Control and Reconnaissance missions.
On the afternoon of June 7 he and another officer (pilot) took off from a forward air strip to perform a reconnaissance flight. They were not heard from again and the official search for their aircraft ended on the evening of June 9th. The area we were operating in was a mixture of rice paddies, coast line, rubber plantations, secondary jungle, and a few hills. The native Vietnamese people wore the usual mixture of friendly, unfriendly and hostile. The search was very thorough, many aircraft covered many miles before the search was reluctantly discontinued, All of the area where an airplane on the ground could be seen from the air were examined. Unfortunately there were many areas that did not lend themselves to produce aerial observation.
It would be unfair and presumptuous of me to offer any theories or personal opinions as to what might have happened. Among the many possibilities that I am sure you have considered are forced landing caused by material failure and landing caused by enemy ground fire, which I could tell you, If either of these possible events actually took place.
The words missing in action, of necessity, are vague-even though they are factual.
Like you, I can only hope and pray that your fine son is only "missing" and that he will be back with us soon.
If there is any further information I can give you or get for you, please write. I will, of course, forward to you any information I may receive.
Very Sincerely,
James E. Poore
Lt. Col, USAF
*******************
.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
CHARLES STEPHEN FRANCO - Air Force - CAPT - O3
Age: 25
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Jun 12, 1940
From: NEW YORK, NY
County of Record: NEW YORK CITY
Graduation - 1962
KIA Date - 6/7/1966
Squadron - CS 07
Home Town - Brooklyn
High School - Polytechnic Preparatory School
High School Activities - Football, Lacrosse, Wrestiling,
Academy Experiences - Judo Brown Belt Champion, Wrestling, Gun club, Dance Committee
Academic Degree Major - B.S. - USAFA
Active Duty Assignments - Pilot Training, B-47 Pilot, O-1E Pilot
KIA Conflict - Vietnam
Combat Information - Jade FAC,0-1E, 19 TASS, 505 TACG, USAF, Bien Hoa
Killed In Action Mission - During a visual reconnaissance mission a Bird Dog from Bien Hoa crashed seven miles north of Vung Tao. Enemy action was thought possible but not confirmed as being the cause of the crash, which killed both crewmen.
Next of Kin - Robert M (son), Dr & Mrs Saverio C Franco (parents)
Burial Site - USAFA
MIA Information - 06 07 1966 - 01 15 1967
Aeronautical Speciality Rating - Pilot
Notable Decoration Awards - PH, 6 AM
Parents made the initial donation in his honor for the Graduate Memorial Wall. Honored on the FAC Memorial located in Memorial Park, Colorado Springs, CO
Marital Status: Single - Robert M Franco(son)McGuire AFBase in New Jersey,
Parents: Dr & Mrs Saverio Charles Franco, Born April 15, 1908 in Brooklyn, New York. Mother: Jessie M. Franco of Brooklyn, New York. Died Dec. 2, 2006 and buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, Maryland. Sister, Judith Franco Doherty(Bryan).
* Paternal Grandparents: Pasquale Franco and Conzolata D'Auria Franco.
***** To my darling Jade,From your sister, Jude
Judith F. Doherty
Added: Jul. 27, 2014
***** "Jade" FAC Charles Franco lost while supporting the 1st Australian Task Force 7 Jun 66.
Jim Meade
***** United States Public Records
Name: Dr. Saverio Charles Franco - YOUR DAD
Also Known As: S Chas Franco
Residence Date: 01 Jan 2004-01 Jan 2005
Residence Place: Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States
Birth Date: 15 Apr 1908
Address Continued: Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
2rd Address Continued: New York, New York 10013
* Possible Relatives: J S Franco, Jessie I Franco, Judith A Franco.
***** United States Census, 1940
Saverio Franco Head M 32 New York - YOUR DAD
Jessie Franco Wife F 27 New York - YOUR MOM
CAPT - O3 - Air Force - Regular
Length of service 4 years
His tour began on Feb 21, 1966
Casualty was on Jun 7, 1966
In PHUOC TUY, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
MILITARY DATA
Service: United States Air Force
Grade at loss: O3
Rank: Captain
ID No: 63835
MOS: 1115: Pilot
Length Service: 04
Unit: 19TH TAC AIR SPT SQDN, 505TH TAC AIR CTRL GROUP, 7TH AF
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: 02/21/1966
Incident Date: 06/07/1966
Casualty Date: 06/07/1966
Age at Loss: 25
Location: Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Identified: 01/15/1967
Casualty Type: Hostile, died while missing
Casualty Reason: Fixed Wing - Crew
Casualty Detail: Air loss or crash over land
Panel 08E - Line 16
Other personnel involved: Captain John Charles Jacobs.
Captain Franco was a Jade Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa.
He was flying a Visual Reconnaissance mission with Captain John Charles Jacobs in O-1E S/N 55-4736 when they were lost to possible enemy action seven miles north of Vung Tau in Phuoc Tuy Province South Vietnam.
He had 4 years of service and had served 112 days in combat.
Wreckage later found in an isolated area on 14 January 1967.
**************************************************
FRANCO, Charles S.
Class of 1962
Captain
- O-1E copilot on a visual reconnaissance mission on 7 June 1966 but never returned to friendly control
- participating in FAC and reconnaissance missions from 16 May to 7 June 1966 and was a member of the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron at the time
- Wreckage later found in an isolated area on 14 January 1967
- As a cadet, served as Squadron Athletic Officer and Squadron Supply Officer
- Eastern Collegiate Brown Belt Judo Champion and won the 1962 Talon Award for the Outstanding Athlete in Judo at the Academy
- Earned 6 AM
- Buried in the USAFA Cemetery and his relatives encouraged the building of the USAFA War Memorial, giving the initial donation for the project
- Name is now on the USAFA War Memorial
- Remembered for his strong love for God, cheerful outlook, and dedicated love of flying
Bullets compiled by Heather Beer, Association of Graduates intern, Summer 2005.
*********************
On 16 May we deployed to an area of South Vietnam which is about 10 miles north of the Port of Vung Tau. The purpose was to clear an area in preparation for the arrival of a new Australian unit in Vietnam. Your son's duty as a Forward Air Controller involved a steady diet of flying, As you probably know; this had a definite appeal to him! During the period 16 May until 7 June, he flew Forward Air Control and Reconnaissance missions.
On the afternoon of June 7 he and another officer (pilot) took off from a forward air strip to perform a reconnaissance flight. They were not heard from again and the official search for their aircraft ended on the evening of June 9th. The area we were operating in was a mixture of rice paddies, coast line, rubber plantations, secondary jungle, and a few hills. The native Vietnamese people wore the usual mixture of friendly, unfriendly and hostile. The search was very thorough, many aircraft covered many miles before the search was reluctantly discontinued, All of the area where an airplane on the ground could be seen from the air were examined. Unfortunately there were many areas that did not lend themselves to produce aerial observation.
It would be unfair and presumptuous of me to offer any theories or personal opinions as to what might have happened. Among the many possibilities that I am sure you have considered are forced landing caused by material failure and landing caused by enemy ground fire, which I could tell you, If either of these possible events actually took place.
The words missing in action, of necessity, are vague-even though they are factual.
Like you, I can only hope and pray that your fine son is only "missing" and that he will be back with us soon.
If there is any further information I can give you or get for you, please write. I will, of course, forward to you any information I may receive.
Very Sincerely,
James E. Poore
Lt. Col, USAF
*******************
.
In loving memory of... Captain Charles Stephen Franco.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
CHARLES STEPHEN FRANCO - Air Force - CAPT - O3
Age: 25
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Jun 12, 1940
From: NEW YORK, NY
County of Record: NEW YORK CITY
Graduation - 1962
KIA Date - 6/7/1966
Squadron - CS 07
Home Town - Brooklyn
High School - Polytechnic Preparatory School
High School Activities - Football, Lacrosse, Wrestiling,
Academy Experiences - Judo Brown Belt Champion, Wrestling, Gun club, Dance Committee
Academic Degree Major - B.S. - USAFA
Active Duty Assignments - Pilot Training, B-47 Pilot, O-1E Pilot
KIA Conflict - Vietnam
Combat Information - Jade FAC,0-1E, 19 TASS, 505 TACG, USAF, Bien Hoa
Killed In Action Mission - During a visual reconnaissance mission a Bird Dog from Bien Hoa crashed seven miles north of Vung Tao. Enemy action was thought possible but not confirmed as being the cause of the crash, which killed both crewmen.
Next of Kin - Robert M (son), Dr & Mrs Saverio C Franco (parents)
Burial Site - USAFA
MIA Information - 06 07 1966 - 01 15 1967
Aeronautical Speciality Rating - Pilot
Notable Decoration Awards - PH, 6 AM
Parents made the initial donation in his honor for the Graduate Memorial Wall. Honored on the FAC Memorial located in Memorial Park, Colorado Springs, CO
Marital Status: Single - Robert M Franco(son)McGuire AFBase in New Jersey,
Parents: Dr & Mrs Saverio Charles Franco, Born April 15, 1908 in Brooklyn, New York. Mother: Jessie M. Franco of Brooklyn, New York. Died Dec. 2, 2006 and buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, Maryland. Sister, Judith Franco Doherty(Bryan).
* Paternal Grandparents: Pasquale Franco and Conzolata D'Auria Franco.
***** To my darling Jade,From your sister, Jude
Judith F. Doherty
Added: Jul. 27, 2014
***** "Jade" FAC Charles Franco lost while supporting the 1st Australian Task Force 7 Jun 66.
Jim Meade
***** United States Public Records
Name: Dr. Saverio Charles Franco - YOUR DAD
Also Known As: S Chas Franco
Residence Date: 01 Jan 2004-01 Jan 2005
Residence Place: Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States
Birth Date: 15 Apr 1908
Address Continued: Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
2rd Address Continued: New York, New York 10013
* Possible Relatives: J S Franco, Jessie I Franco, Judith A Franco.
***** United States Census, 1940
Saverio Franco Head M 32 New York - YOUR DAD
Jessie Franco Wife F 27 New York - YOUR MOM
CAPT - O3 - Air Force - Regular
Length of service 4 years
His tour began on Feb 21, 1966
Casualty was on Jun 7, 1966
In PHUOC TUY, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
MILITARY DATA
Service: United States Air Force
Grade at loss: O3
Rank: Captain
ID No: 63835
MOS: 1115: Pilot
Length Service: 04
Unit: 19TH TAC AIR SPT SQDN, 505TH TAC AIR CTRL GROUP, 7TH AF
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: 02/21/1966
Incident Date: 06/07/1966
Casualty Date: 06/07/1966
Age at Loss: 25
Location: Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Identified: 01/15/1967
Casualty Type: Hostile, died while missing
Casualty Reason: Fixed Wing - Crew
Casualty Detail: Air loss or crash over land
Panel 08E - Line 16
Other personnel involved: Captain John Charles Jacobs.
Captain Franco was a Jade Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa.
He was flying a Visual Reconnaissance mission with Captain John Charles Jacobs in O-1E S/N 55-4736 when they were lost to possible enemy action seven miles north of Vung Tau in Phuoc Tuy Province South Vietnam.
He had 4 years of service and had served 112 days in combat.
Wreckage later found in an isolated area on 14 January 1967.
**************************************************
FRANCO, Charles S.
Class of 1962
Captain
- O-1E copilot on a visual reconnaissance mission on 7 June 1966 but never returned to friendly control
- participating in FAC and reconnaissance missions from 16 May to 7 June 1966 and was a member of the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron at the time
- Wreckage later found in an isolated area on 14 January 1967
- As a cadet, served as Squadron Athletic Officer and Squadron Supply Officer
- Eastern Collegiate Brown Belt Judo Champion and won the 1962 Talon Award for the Outstanding Athlete in Judo at the Academy
- Earned 6 AM
- Buried in the USAFA Cemetery and his relatives encouraged the building of the USAFA War Memorial, giving the initial donation for the project
- Name is now on the USAFA War Memorial
- Remembered for his strong love for God, cheerful outlook, and dedicated love of flying
Bullets compiled by Heather Beer, Association of Graduates intern, Summer 2005.
*********************
On 16 May we deployed to an area of South Vietnam which is about 10 miles north of the Port of Vung Tau. The purpose was to clear an area in preparation for the arrival of a new Australian unit in Vietnam. Your son's duty as a Forward Air Controller involved a steady diet of flying, As you probably know; this had a definite appeal to him! During the period 16 May until 7 June, he flew Forward Air Control and Reconnaissance missions.
On the afternoon of June 7 he and another officer (pilot) took off from a forward air strip to perform a reconnaissance flight. They were not heard from again and the official search for their aircraft ended on the evening of June 9th. The area we were operating in was a mixture of rice paddies, coast line, rubber plantations, secondary jungle, and a few hills. The native Vietnamese people wore the usual mixture of friendly, unfriendly and hostile. The search was very thorough, many aircraft covered many miles before the search was reluctantly discontinued, All of the area where an airplane on the ground could be seen from the air were examined. Unfortunately there were many areas that did not lend themselves to produce aerial observation.
It would be unfair and presumptuous of me to offer any theories or personal opinions as to what might have happened. Among the many possibilities that I am sure you have considered are forced landing caused by material failure and landing caused by enemy ground fire, which I could tell you, If either of these possible events actually took place.
The words missing in action, of necessity, are vague-even though they are factual.
Like you, I can only hope and pray that your fine son is only "missing" and that he will be back with us soon.
If there is any further information I can give you or get for you, please write. I will, of course, forward to you any information I may receive.
Very Sincerely,
James E. Poore
Lt. Col, USAF
*******************
.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
CHARLES STEPHEN FRANCO - Air Force - CAPT - O3
Age: 25
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Jun 12, 1940
From: NEW YORK, NY
County of Record: NEW YORK CITY
Graduation - 1962
KIA Date - 6/7/1966
Squadron - CS 07
Home Town - Brooklyn
High School - Polytechnic Preparatory School
High School Activities - Football, Lacrosse, Wrestiling,
Academy Experiences - Judo Brown Belt Champion, Wrestling, Gun club, Dance Committee
Academic Degree Major - B.S. - USAFA
Active Duty Assignments - Pilot Training, B-47 Pilot, O-1E Pilot
KIA Conflict - Vietnam
Combat Information - Jade FAC,0-1E, 19 TASS, 505 TACG, USAF, Bien Hoa
Killed In Action Mission - During a visual reconnaissance mission a Bird Dog from Bien Hoa crashed seven miles north of Vung Tao. Enemy action was thought possible but not confirmed as being the cause of the crash, which killed both crewmen.
Next of Kin - Robert M (son), Dr & Mrs Saverio C Franco (parents)
Burial Site - USAFA
MIA Information - 06 07 1966 - 01 15 1967
Aeronautical Speciality Rating - Pilot
Notable Decoration Awards - PH, 6 AM
Parents made the initial donation in his honor for the Graduate Memorial Wall. Honored on the FAC Memorial located in Memorial Park, Colorado Springs, CO
Marital Status: Single - Robert M Franco(son)McGuire AFBase in New Jersey,
Parents: Dr & Mrs Saverio Charles Franco, Born April 15, 1908 in Brooklyn, New York. Mother: Jessie M. Franco of Brooklyn, New York. Died Dec. 2, 2006 and buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, Maryland. Sister, Judith Franco Doherty(Bryan).
* Paternal Grandparents: Pasquale Franco and Conzolata D'Auria Franco.
***** To my darling Jade,From your sister, Jude
Judith F. Doherty
Added: Jul. 27, 2014
***** "Jade" FAC Charles Franco lost while supporting the 1st Australian Task Force 7 Jun 66.
Jim Meade
***** United States Public Records
Name: Dr. Saverio Charles Franco - YOUR DAD
Also Known As: S Chas Franco
Residence Date: 01 Jan 2004-01 Jan 2005
Residence Place: Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States
Birth Date: 15 Apr 1908
Address Continued: Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
2rd Address Continued: New York, New York 10013
* Possible Relatives: J S Franco, Jessie I Franco, Judith A Franco.
***** United States Census, 1940
Saverio Franco Head M 32 New York - YOUR DAD
Jessie Franco Wife F 27 New York - YOUR MOM
CAPT - O3 - Air Force - Regular
Length of service 4 years
His tour began on Feb 21, 1966
Casualty was on Jun 7, 1966
In PHUOC TUY, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
MILITARY DATA
Service: United States Air Force
Grade at loss: O3
Rank: Captain
ID No: 63835
MOS: 1115: Pilot
Length Service: 04
Unit: 19TH TAC AIR SPT SQDN, 505TH TAC AIR CTRL GROUP, 7TH AF
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: 02/21/1966
Incident Date: 06/07/1966
Casualty Date: 06/07/1966
Age at Loss: 25
Location: Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Identified: 01/15/1967
Casualty Type: Hostile, died while missing
Casualty Reason: Fixed Wing - Crew
Casualty Detail: Air loss or crash over land
Panel 08E - Line 16
Other personnel involved: Captain John Charles Jacobs.
Captain Franco was a Jade Forward Air Controller assigned to the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron at Bien Hoa.
He was flying a Visual Reconnaissance mission with Captain John Charles Jacobs in O-1E S/N 55-4736 when they were lost to possible enemy action seven miles north of Vung Tau in Phuoc Tuy Province South Vietnam.
He had 4 years of service and had served 112 days in combat.
Wreckage later found in an isolated area on 14 January 1967.
**************************************************
FRANCO, Charles S.
Class of 1962
Captain
- O-1E copilot on a visual reconnaissance mission on 7 June 1966 but never returned to friendly control
- participating in FAC and reconnaissance missions from 16 May to 7 June 1966 and was a member of the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron at the time
- Wreckage later found in an isolated area on 14 January 1967
- As a cadet, served as Squadron Athletic Officer and Squadron Supply Officer
- Eastern Collegiate Brown Belt Judo Champion and won the 1962 Talon Award for the Outstanding Athlete in Judo at the Academy
- Earned 6 AM
- Buried in the USAFA Cemetery and his relatives encouraged the building of the USAFA War Memorial, giving the initial donation for the project
- Name is now on the USAFA War Memorial
- Remembered for his strong love for God, cheerful outlook, and dedicated love of flying
Bullets compiled by Heather Beer, Association of Graduates intern, Summer 2005.
*********************
On 16 May we deployed to an area of South Vietnam which is about 10 miles north of the Port of Vung Tau. The purpose was to clear an area in preparation for the arrival of a new Australian unit in Vietnam. Your son's duty as a Forward Air Controller involved a steady diet of flying, As you probably know; this had a definite appeal to him! During the period 16 May until 7 June, he flew Forward Air Control and Reconnaissance missions.
On the afternoon of June 7 he and another officer (pilot) took off from a forward air strip to perform a reconnaissance flight. They were not heard from again and the official search for their aircraft ended on the evening of June 9th. The area we were operating in was a mixture of rice paddies, coast line, rubber plantations, secondary jungle, and a few hills. The native Vietnamese people wore the usual mixture of friendly, unfriendly and hostile. The search was very thorough, many aircraft covered many miles before the search was reluctantly discontinued, All of the area where an airplane on the ground could be seen from the air were examined. Unfortunately there were many areas that did not lend themselves to produce aerial observation.
It would be unfair and presumptuous of me to offer any theories or personal opinions as to what might have happened. Among the many possibilities that I am sure you have considered are forced landing caused by material failure and landing caused by enemy ground fire, which I could tell you, If either of these possible events actually took place.
The words missing in action, of necessity, are vague-even though they are factual.
Like you, I can only hope and pray that your fine son is only "missing" and that he will be back with us soon.
If there is any further information I can give you or get for you, please write. I will, of course, forward to you any information I may receive.
Very Sincerely,
James E. Poore
Lt. Col, USAF
*******************
.
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Captain, U.S. Air Force, Class of 1962
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