EC-47 Crewmembers, Front and Back, Roster
Received from, John G. LaHue, San Antonio, Texas.

John left the following in the Guestbook. He says, I was assigned to Detachment 1, 6994th Security Squadron at PhuCat in 1969/70. Says he received the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. The DFC was sent to him by mail after he was discharged.

Received from Don Cantwell, Arlington, Texas.

Don left the following in the Guestbook. Says he was assigned to the 361st and 362nd Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron as an Aircraft Maintenance Specialist from Feburary 1971 to Feburary 1972.

Received from Bob Templeton, San Simeon, California.

Bob left a note in the Guestbook. Says he was assigned to the 362nd Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron at Pleiku as a Flight Engineer in 1968/69. Says lots of good memories. Good Job.

Received from Dave Highlands, St. Petersburg, Florida.

Dave left a note in the Guestbook. Says he served with the 6994th Security Squadron as NCOIC Mission Management in 1969/70. Says on his days off, he flew ARDF Missions and logged 35 minutes in the Left Seat.

Dave's Email Address is: [email protected]

Received from, George Collier, St. Louis, Missouri.

George found the reunion notice in the American Leigon Magazine and called me. We had a good visit and I believe he will be at Dayton for the reunion 2002. George was with the 362nd Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron at Pleiku as a Navigator from August 1969 to August 1970.

This Added, 11 March, 2002. My fault it is late, J.C.

George says his Hootchmates at Pleiku were Ritch Lyman, Darrell Kirbie and Carl Lemon; a great bunch of guys! My Aircraft Commanders were Pete Reigle and Dallas Haring. I enjoyed these friendships.

Received from Richard Pare, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Richard had a lot of information about the 362nd TEWS Maintenance. He began by saying; I saw a reunion notice in the American Legion magazine and popped in to the web-site.

I was a ramp rat with the 362 TEWS at DaNang from March 71 to March 72. I believe I left on 29 March and the Cong went on the offense 1 April. A few days later, I was shopping back in the World and stopped in my tracks to watch the news in a store window. All that remained of a airplane was the tail with the big "AN" of the 362d TEWS and the tail number.

I would have to look up the tail number but the airplane was an EC-47Q crewed by a SSgt Stoltz. I was later told the 362d lost four airplanes on the ground at DaNang including the it's jinx ship "131", another EC-47Q. Long story there, if your interested. Like all maintenance people, I seldom throw anything away, so I suspect I have orders someplace and I know I have my little black "roll call" book with crew chiefs and last four of the tail numbers. I'd be hard pressed to find it after several moves but I know I have it.

Up until the fall of 71, the 362d only had EC-47Q's with R-2000 engines. I believe all the EC-47Q's were 43 models except for "131"which was a 44 model. When Phu Cat closed they brought their EC-47Ps to DaNang. I do not remember if they had any N models. Somewhere along the line, in the winter of 71/72 we gained an SC-47.

Maintenance had four squadron mascot dogs, three of which came down from Plieku. Presently, I can remember the names of only three, "Woofer. "Nickel", and "Beauregard". The 362d lost no aircraft during my tour although we had one damaged by ramp debris throw up by a rocket, another hit a runway sign - "How did I get out here in this damn grass? Where did that sign come from? Nav, you see that sign? Yah - pieces! Old number "I31" collapsed it's left gear during maintenance and we had a ramp rat perform a stress test with an aircraft tug against an aircraft flap. He found out C-47 flaps aren't made to be pushed by tugs. Lucky it didn't kill him, but he ducked. That was the only thing he did right that day. Lots of good war stories, an lots of bad. I think it was all well summed up in the last line of "What the Captain meant to say".

Thanks for kicking up a few memories. If your really interested in 362d maintenance types, I can go digging for orders and the like. Somewhere I still have a big map of DaNang field. Most of my Da Nang slides disappeared when I loaned them to a modeling group. Do have some photos of the squadron EC-47's but many are on Technicolor and Ecktachrome, and fading fast. I was new to photography then.

Richard Pare

Richards Email Address is: pare2(at)icnet.net

Read Richards entry in "History from Memory"

Received from, Robert B. Atkin, Hickory, North Carolina.

Bob left this in an email inquirey on the upcoming 2002 reunion.

I Was assinged to the 6994th Security Squadron from September 2, 1969 to September 2, 1970. I came home to retire with 20 years, all in Air Force Security Service.

Bob's Email Address is: taberarkin2 (at) eastlink.ca

Received from, Chuck Darwin, Arvada, Colorado.

Chuck says he was an Airborne Mission Supervisor with Detachment 3, 6994th Security Squadron at NKP from November 1970 to November 1971. Says his roomies were Ron Pasey, Joe Newkirk and Jimmy Butler. Looking for any of the guys from this time. Saw names and pictures of long lost friends.

Chuck's Email Address: CPDarwin(at)msn.com

Postal Address: 4648 Fig Street Golden, DO 80403

Phone: (303) 273-5774

Received from, Ned Y. Pickenpaugh, Caldwell, Ohio.

Ned was a Crew Chief on the EC-47's but did not say where but did give the date as 1967-68. Maybe Ned will send more data on his tour.

Received from, William L. Helms III, Cheyenne, Wyoming.

William says, I was assigned to the 6994th Security Squadron at Pleiku as an Airborne Electronics Warfare Technician in 1968/69.

I was just sitting around here on Veteran's Day, 2001, wondering what had happened to some of the people I had served with in Vietnam. I just happened to find this site and was happy to see the names of a few people I haven't seen in quite some time. Looks like a great site. Thanks for all the hard work.

Received from, David J. Wilson, McAdoo, PA.

David says, I was assigned to the 6994th Security Squadron, the 6986th, the 6931st and the 6949th during my 4 year stint with the USAFSS from 1969 to 1973. I served as a Morse System Operator (X1) with the 6994th at Tan Son Nhut and DaNang.

David's Email Address: kwdav (at) bellsouth.net

Received from, Danny Mann, Taylorville, Illinois.

Danny says, I worked as a Phase Dock Supervisor on the EC-47's with the 360th Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron at Tan Son Nhut.

Received from, Bill Grady, Fremont, New Hampshire.

Bill says, I was an ARDF Operator with the 6994th Security Squadron at Tan Son Nhut from August 1969 to August 1970. 31 years ago and this site makes it feel like yesterday. Would love to hear from any of the guys from the Cougar Cavern.

Received from, James Keller

James did not leave much information but did say he worked Flight Line Maintenance with the 360th Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron at Tan Son Nhut from July 1970 to July 1971.

Received from, Lee R. Pearson, Dalzell, South Carolina.

J.C. I am new at this. Will try on comments. I arrived at Pleiku in March 1970 and had my cherry flt with SSgt Hitchcock on 5 Apr 70 out of Pleiku on aircraft 402. Went to TSN when they relocated the unit. Ended up as SEFE and worked out of the 6994th and also with the VIM program for my last months or a year of so and flew my last mission on 18 September 1972 out of TSN. Had 358 missions, possibly as my Form 5 did not print for September 72 so I don't know what aircraft it was on, just list last flt as 18 Sep 72. Left TSN in Oct 72 for PI. Lee Pearson

Received from Derek Duke, Statesboro, Georgia

Derek says he was a Pilot and SEFE with the 362nd Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron at Danang in 1972.

My hat is off to JC for this site. Also I want to share that Captain George Spitz and Baron 52 crew rest in the V of the WALL on the Mall in Washington having been the last to be shot down in the war... Feb 1973...may they rest in peace... Hope to see you at the may 02 reunion.

Derek's Email Address is: derekduke(at)hotmail.com

Postal Address: 104 Greenbriar Trail Statesboro, GA 30458

Phone: (912) 681-1394

Received from David E. Welch, Anchorage, Alaska.

David says he was a SSgt with the 6994th Security Squadron at Tan Son Nhut.

Received from Tom Winchester

Tom writes, I was in the 360th Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron at Tan Son Nhut from August 1970 to August 1971 in Aircraft Maintenance.

Received from Ken DeZotell, Westmoreland, New York.

Ken writes, Contrary to popular belief, I am alive and living in Westmorland, New York.

Received from James L. Robbins

James writes, I was a Pilot with the 361st Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron at NKP from June, 1973 to June, 1974.

Received from Leon Heying Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Leon writes, I just found this WEB site today as I was searching the WEB. Thanks a million as it is bringing back many memories of days long done.

I was assigned to Detachment 2, 6994th Security Squadron at Pleiku as a 292, Ditty Bopper Backender from Jan. 1968 to Jan. 1969. I remember getting in country just prior to the TET Offensive.

I also remember spending several days filling sand bags and setting on top of the bunker watching Pleiku City get the hell blown out of it. I had some great times both on and off duty. I have forgotten a lot of names but I do remember some of the front end Aircraft Commanders names: Colonel Wilson (wore half glasses), Colonel Sullivan (crashed landed several C-47's during WWII) and who could forget Major Funai from Hawaii. Loved to drink gin and grapefruit juice.

My flying partner for several flights was SSgt Bill Hannon. We had some rememberable flights that one should never forget. At one time he and I had the record for number of fixes for one flight.

Regards,

Leon F. Heying USAF 1962-1970

Leon's Email Address: LHeying(at)juno.com

Received from, Walter Julin, Nine Mile Falls, Washington.

Walter found my email address in one of the Military Publications, I believe he said the American Legion, but not sure.

He gave me a phone call and we had a good visit on the phone.

Walter was a Pilot with the 360th Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron at Tan Son Nhut in 1967/68. Says he was there for the TET offensive and said about a dozen of the EC-47's there sustained damage during the attack.

I expect more from Walter soon.

Received from, Paul Halpern

Paul says, I arrived at Detachment 1, 361st TEWS, at NKP in November, 1969 in the initial cadre. The Commander was Lt. Col. Bryce Deffendell and the Operations Officer was Major "Five Hour Teddy" Lyons.

Received from, James L. Plunkett, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.

James writes, I was a Navigator with the 361st Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron. I arrived at Phu Cat in July 1971 and remained there until November. Lt. Col. Al Kaylo and I were the last to leave Phu Cat and turned the base over to the South Vietnamese.

In November 71, moved to Danang where I was the Crew Scheduler. Remained at Danang until July 1972. I had an uneventful tour.

James's Email Address: plu(at)cox-internet.com

Received from, Bill O'Neal, Laurel, Mississippi.

Bill wrote in a letter, I just saw where you are heading up the reunion of the 6994th SS and the 360th, 361st and 362nd TEWS at Dayton, Ohio next May. Put me down to attend.

I flew 126 missions as a Radio Operator fro the 6994th, Det. 1 out of Phu Cat from September 1970 to 71.

Received from, A.J. Magliolo, St. Pete Florida.

A.J writes, I was assigned to the 361st Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron from July 1968 to July 1969.



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