In Memory of….. Col Richard Lee Ayers.
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!
RICHARD LEE AYERS - Air Force - COL - O6
Age: 45
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Feb 18, 1933 Per 1940 Census..born in Illinois.
From: WATERLOO, IA
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Married to Shirley A. Ayers and has two daughters. Parents: Father, Elray Walter Ayers and Mother, Wava Louise Sprague Ayers, Born 1916 and Died Feb. 21, 1944 in Clinton, DeWitt County, Illinois. Younger Brothers, Alvin Arthur Ayers Born in Illinois and Leonard Philip Ayers Born in Iowa.
* Paternal Grandparents: GrandFather, Alva Spraguea and GrandMother, Maude Samuels Ayers.
***** "United States Census, 1940"
Name: Richard Lee Ayers
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1940
Event Place: Ward 2, Waterloo, Waterloo Township, Black Hawk, Iowa, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 7
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Birthplace: Illinois
Birth Year (Estimated): 1933
Last Place of Residence: Clinton, Illinois
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Wava L Ayers F 24 Illinois
Son Richard Lee Ayers M 7 Illinois
Son Alvin Arthur Ayers M 4 Illinois
Son Leonard Philip Ayers M 1 Iowa
***** "United States Social Security Death Index"
Given Name: Richard Surname: Ayers
Birth Date: 18 February 1933 Social Security Number: 479-28-6152 State: Iowa
Event Date: April 1970 Age: 37
***** Brian Kious - I called him Uncle Richard. My family was close friends with the Ayers and I always thought he was a relative. He was a good father to his two daughters. He was a tall good looking man married to his beautiful blonde wife. I miss him and his family. God bless you all.
***** I wore a POW/MIA bracelet for Maj. Richard Ayers for many years. I can find no words to adequately express my gratitude for his sacrifice. May he rest in eternal peace. His name is etched in my heart.
Lori Killion
COL - O6 - Air Force - Reserve
His tour began on Apr 16, 1970
Casualty was on Jun 29, 1978
In , SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Panel 11W - Line 12
Other Personnel in Incident: Robert E. Rausch (missing)
Capt. Robert E. Rausch was the pilot and Major Richard L. Ayers the Weapons/Systems officer of an RF4C Phantom from the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron based at Tan Son Nhut Airbase, South Vietnam.
On April 16, 1970, an RF-4C with a two man crew of Major Ayers and Captain Rausch departed Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon to conduct reconnaissance along the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Vietnam as well as
the adjacent area of Savannakhet Province, Laos.
They refueled in flight and advised their controller that they were heading north to another target area. The new target area was known to be a high threat area with 37mm and other anti-aircraft weapons.
They were last reported over Savannakhet Province but did not return from their mission and were declared missing in
action.
There were no chutes or beepers located.
Subsequent to their disappearance, Radio Hanoi's domestic service reported its forces had shot down an RF-4C in the Vinh Linh Special Zone, the North Vietnamese side of the DMZ, on the afternoon of April 16, 1970. This report
was correlated to the loss of Major Ayers' aircraft.
On April 17, 1970, a People's Army of Vietnam unit radioed a report concerning four recent U.S. aircraft shoot downs. Three of the aircraft were F-4 and the completely burned remains of one crewman were found in one F-4 crash site wreckage. The pilot of the fourth aircraft, an RF-4C, was also killed. The portion of this radio message dealing with the RF-4C was believed associated with Major Ayers' shoot down even though People's Army forces only reported (one) pilot killed.
During the period they were maintained missing, Richard L. Ayers was promoted to the rank of Colonel and Robert E. Rausch was promoted to the rank of Major.
*******************
.
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!
RICHARD LEE AYERS - Air Force - COL - O6
Age: 45
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Feb 18, 1933 Per 1940 Census..born in Illinois.
From: WATERLOO, IA
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Married to Shirley A. Ayers and has two daughters. Parents: Father, Elray Walter Ayers and Mother, Wava Louise Sprague Ayers, Born 1916 and Died Feb. 21, 1944 in Clinton, DeWitt County, Illinois. Younger Brothers, Alvin Arthur Ayers Born in Illinois and Leonard Philip Ayers Born in Iowa.
* Paternal Grandparents: GrandFather, Alva Spraguea and GrandMother, Maude Samuels Ayers.
***** "United States Census, 1940"
Name: Richard Lee Ayers
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1940
Event Place: Ward 2, Waterloo, Waterloo Township, Black Hawk, Iowa, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 7
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Birthplace: Illinois
Birth Year (Estimated): 1933
Last Place of Residence: Clinton, Illinois
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Wava L Ayers F 24 Illinois
Son Richard Lee Ayers M 7 Illinois
Son Alvin Arthur Ayers M 4 Illinois
Son Leonard Philip Ayers M 1 Iowa
***** "United States Social Security Death Index"
Given Name: Richard Surname: Ayers
Birth Date: 18 February 1933 Social Security Number: 479-28-6152 State: Iowa
Event Date: April 1970 Age: 37
***** Brian Kious - I called him Uncle Richard. My family was close friends with the Ayers and I always thought he was a relative. He was a good father to his two daughters. He was a tall good looking man married to his beautiful blonde wife. I miss him and his family. God bless you all.
***** I wore a POW/MIA bracelet for Maj. Richard Ayers for many years. I can find no words to adequately express my gratitude for his sacrifice. May he rest in eternal peace. His name is etched in my heart.
Lori Killion
COL - O6 - Air Force - Reserve
His tour began on Apr 16, 1970
Casualty was on Jun 29, 1978
In , SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Panel 11W - Line 12
Other Personnel in Incident: Robert E. Rausch (missing)
Capt. Robert E. Rausch was the pilot and Major Richard L. Ayers the Weapons/Systems officer of an RF4C Phantom from the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron based at Tan Son Nhut Airbase, South Vietnam.
On April 16, 1970, an RF-4C with a two man crew of Major Ayers and Captain Rausch departed Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon to conduct reconnaissance along the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Vietnam as well as
the adjacent area of Savannakhet Province, Laos.
They refueled in flight and advised their controller that they were heading north to another target area. The new target area was known to be a high threat area with 37mm and other anti-aircraft weapons.
They were last reported over Savannakhet Province but did not return from their mission and were declared missing in
action.
There were no chutes or beepers located.
Subsequent to their disappearance, Radio Hanoi's domestic service reported its forces had shot down an RF-4C in the Vinh Linh Special Zone, the North Vietnamese side of the DMZ, on the afternoon of April 16, 1970. This report
was correlated to the loss of Major Ayers' aircraft.
On April 17, 1970, a People's Army of Vietnam unit radioed a report concerning four recent U.S. aircraft shoot downs. Three of the aircraft were F-4 and the completely burned remains of one crewman were found in one F-4 crash site wreckage. The pilot of the fourth aircraft, an RF-4C, was also killed. The portion of this radio message dealing with the RF-4C was believed associated with Major Ayers' shoot down even though People's Army forces only reported (one) pilot killed.
During the period they were maintained missing, Richard L. Ayers was promoted to the rank of Colonel and Robert E. Rausch was promoted to the rank of Major.
*******************
.
In Memory of….. Col Richard Lee Ayers.
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!
RICHARD LEE AYERS - Air Force - COL - O6
Age: 45
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Feb 18, 1933 Per 1940 Census..born in Illinois.
From: WATERLOO, IA
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Married to Shirley A. Ayers and has two daughters. Parents: Father, Elray Walter Ayers and Mother, Wava Louise Sprague Ayers, Born 1916 and Died Feb. 21, 1944 in Clinton, DeWitt County, Illinois. Younger Brothers, Alvin Arthur Ayers Born in Illinois and Leonard Philip Ayers Born in Iowa.
* Paternal Grandparents: GrandFather, Alva Spraguea and GrandMother, Maude Samuels Ayers.
***** "United States Census, 1940"
Name: Richard Lee Ayers
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1940
Event Place: Ward 2, Waterloo, Waterloo Township, Black Hawk, Iowa, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 7
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Birthplace: Illinois
Birth Year (Estimated): 1933
Last Place of Residence: Clinton, Illinois
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Wava L Ayers F 24 Illinois
Son Richard Lee Ayers M 7 Illinois
Son Alvin Arthur Ayers M 4 Illinois
Son Leonard Philip Ayers M 1 Iowa
***** "United States Social Security Death Index"
Given Name: Richard Surname: Ayers
Birth Date: 18 February 1933 Social Security Number: 479-28-6152 State: Iowa
Event Date: April 1970 Age: 37
***** Brian Kious - I called him Uncle Richard. My family was close friends with the Ayers and I always thought he was a relative. He was a good father to his two daughters. He was a tall good looking man married to his beautiful blonde wife. I miss him and his family. God bless you all.
***** I wore a POW/MIA bracelet for Maj. Richard Ayers for many years. I can find no words to adequately express my gratitude for his sacrifice. May he rest in eternal peace. His name is etched in my heart.
Lori Killion
COL - O6 - Air Force - Reserve
His tour began on Apr 16, 1970
Casualty was on Jun 29, 1978
In , SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Panel 11W - Line 12
Other Personnel in Incident: Robert E. Rausch (missing)
Capt. Robert E. Rausch was the pilot and Major Richard L. Ayers the Weapons/Systems officer of an RF4C Phantom from the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron based at Tan Son Nhut Airbase, South Vietnam.
On April 16, 1970, an RF-4C with a two man crew of Major Ayers and Captain Rausch departed Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon to conduct reconnaissance along the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Vietnam as well as
the adjacent area of Savannakhet Province, Laos.
They refueled in flight and advised their controller that they were heading north to another target area. The new target area was known to be a high threat area with 37mm and other anti-aircraft weapons.
They were last reported over Savannakhet Province but did not return from their mission and were declared missing in
action.
There were no chutes or beepers located.
Subsequent to their disappearance, Radio Hanoi's domestic service reported its forces had shot down an RF-4C in the Vinh Linh Special Zone, the North Vietnamese side of the DMZ, on the afternoon of April 16, 1970. This report
was correlated to the loss of Major Ayers' aircraft.
On April 17, 1970, a People's Army of Vietnam unit radioed a report concerning four recent U.S. aircraft shoot downs. Three of the aircraft were F-4 and the completely burned remains of one crewman were found in one F-4 crash site wreckage. The pilot of the fourth aircraft, an RF-4C, was also killed. The portion of this radio message dealing with the RF-4C was believed associated with Major Ayers' shoot down even though People's Army forces only reported (one) pilot killed.
During the period they were maintained missing, Richard L. Ayers was promoted to the rank of Colonel and Robert E. Rausch was promoted to the rank of Major.
*******************
.
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!
RICHARD LEE AYERS - Air Force - COL - O6
Age: 45
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Feb 18, 1933 Per 1940 Census..born in Illinois.
From: WATERLOO, IA
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Married to Shirley A. Ayers and has two daughters. Parents: Father, Elray Walter Ayers and Mother, Wava Louise Sprague Ayers, Born 1916 and Died Feb. 21, 1944 in Clinton, DeWitt County, Illinois. Younger Brothers, Alvin Arthur Ayers Born in Illinois and Leonard Philip Ayers Born in Iowa.
* Paternal Grandparents: GrandFather, Alva Spraguea and GrandMother, Maude Samuels Ayers.
***** "United States Census, 1940"
Name: Richard Lee Ayers
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1940
Event Place: Ward 2, Waterloo, Waterloo Township, Black Hawk, Iowa, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 7
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Birthplace: Illinois
Birth Year (Estimated): 1933
Last Place of Residence: Clinton, Illinois
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Wava L Ayers F 24 Illinois
Son Richard Lee Ayers M 7 Illinois
Son Alvin Arthur Ayers M 4 Illinois
Son Leonard Philip Ayers M 1 Iowa
***** "United States Social Security Death Index"
Given Name: Richard Surname: Ayers
Birth Date: 18 February 1933 Social Security Number: 479-28-6152 State: Iowa
Event Date: April 1970 Age: 37
***** Brian Kious - I called him Uncle Richard. My family was close friends with the Ayers and I always thought he was a relative. He was a good father to his two daughters. He was a tall good looking man married to his beautiful blonde wife. I miss him and his family. God bless you all.
***** I wore a POW/MIA bracelet for Maj. Richard Ayers for many years. I can find no words to adequately express my gratitude for his sacrifice. May he rest in eternal peace. His name is etched in my heart.
Lori Killion
COL - O6 - Air Force - Reserve
His tour began on Apr 16, 1970
Casualty was on Jun 29, 1978
In , SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - CREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was not recovered
Panel 11W - Line 12
Other Personnel in Incident: Robert E. Rausch (missing)
Capt. Robert E. Rausch was the pilot and Major Richard L. Ayers the Weapons/Systems officer of an RF4C Phantom from the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron based at Tan Son Nhut Airbase, South Vietnam.
On April 16, 1970, an RF-4C with a two man crew of Major Ayers and Captain Rausch departed Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon to conduct reconnaissance along the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Vietnam as well as
the adjacent area of Savannakhet Province, Laos.
They refueled in flight and advised their controller that they were heading north to another target area. The new target area was known to be a high threat area with 37mm and other anti-aircraft weapons.
They were last reported over Savannakhet Province but did not return from their mission and were declared missing in
action.
There were no chutes or beepers located.
Subsequent to their disappearance, Radio Hanoi's domestic service reported its forces had shot down an RF-4C in the Vinh Linh Special Zone, the North Vietnamese side of the DMZ, on the afternoon of April 16, 1970. This report
was correlated to the loss of Major Ayers' aircraft.
On April 17, 1970, a People's Army of Vietnam unit radioed a report concerning four recent U.S. aircraft shoot downs. Three of the aircraft were F-4 and the completely burned remains of one crewman were found in one F-4 crash site wreckage. The pilot of the fourth aircraft, an RF-4C, was also killed. The portion of this radio message dealing with the RF-4C was believed associated with Major Ayers' shoot down even though People's Army forces only reported (one) pilot killed.
During the period they were maintained missing, Richard L. Ayers was promoted to the rank of Colonel and Robert E. Rausch was promoted to the rank of Major.
*******************
.
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