Rescued Misty Pilots
Misty FACs operated from 15 June 1967 to 19 May 1970
NOTE: Misty numbers listed here were assigned after the war and relates to the order the pilot was assigned to the unit. Call signs for each mission were based on time of day.
Flights were around four hours. The first morning mission was “Misty 11” would be replaced by “Misty 21” then “Misty 31” and finally “Misty 41” allowing coverage of up to 16 hours per day in Route Pack 1 in North Viet Nam until late 1968 and then missions were primarily in Laos.
A full list of the 157 Misty pilots can be obtained at http://www.mistyvietnam.com/timelines.html
JOLLY crewmember information gathered from Bob Lapointe’s website: http://www.pjsinnam.com/VN_History/db_home.htm
Misty No. Pilot Date of Rescue Rank at Time
Name
1 DAY, GEORGE E. (Bud) 26Aug67 POW until Feb73 Maj
Jolly Crew C Ray Dunn RCC/IP, W. Rich Blackwell RCCP, Fredric Halbert, FE, Joseph Duffy, PJ, Johnny Griffin, Combat Photographer – HH-3E -No Pickup due to no radio contract. –HH-3E- 37 ARRS DaNang
13 Kippenhan, Corwin M. (Kipp) 26Aug67 Rescued Capt
Jolly Crew C Ray Dunn RCC, W. Rich Blackwell RCCP, Fredric Halbert, FE, Joseph Duffy, PJ, Johnny Griffin (AP) , Combat Photographer – Misty 31 Alpha picked up 26 Aug 67 at Fingers Lake, North Viet Nam HH-3E – 37 ARRS DaNang - JG 28 BD; Maj George E. Day (A) captured; Silver Star for helo AC, DFCs for CP, FE and PJ; JG 26(H) driven off by 57mm. –HH-3E- 37 ARRS DaNang
MISTY FAC for Rescue - Bill Mayberry MISTY 5 and ?????? Flying as MISTY 32 for this mission
22 Neel, Charles B. (Charlie) 08Nov67 Rescued Capt
Jolly Crew W. Rich Blackwell, RCC, Joe Bowers, RCCP, Bob Baldwin, FE, , James A. Bowers, FE, Martin Roepstorff, PJ, Combat Photographer – Thomas E Altenburg, (AP) . Successful Pickup off North Viet Nam Coast under fire –HH-3E- 37 ARRS DaNang
25 Jones, Eben D.(Jonesy) 07Apr68 Rescued Capt
Harry W. Walker, RCC, Louis D. Yuhas, RCCP, Bernard W. Grau, FE, Michael R. Fraboni, PJ, Bradley W. Kirk, (AP) – HH-3E – Det. 1, 40 ARRS NKP
26 Sibson, Don A. (Sib) 30Dec67 Rescued Maj
William E. Brennan, RCC, Frank Cardile, RCCP, John Enriquez, FE, Ricky D Hindman, PJ, Glenn C Colley AP – HH-3E – 37 ARRS DaNang
The mission overland, and JG 10(L) picked up both survivors. JG 27(H) stayed above the clouds while the pickup was going on.
Rich’s memory – It seems the whole of NVN was under heavy cloud cover. Bill Brennan was being escorted above the clouds when a hole appeared. Bill was able to descend down through the hole and the hole closed before the High Bird could get down. Bill and crew proceeded low level, under the clouds until he was able to get to the survivors.
29 Gruters, Guy D. 08Nov67 Rescued 20Dec67 POW until Feb73 Capt
8 Nov 67 Pickup - Maj Arthur Anderson, RCC, Capt Ernie Betancourt, RCCP, SSGT Elmer Larry Holden, FE (KIA June 1968), Sgt Ricky Hindman PJ. – Successful Pickup off North Viet Nam Coast under fire –HH-3E – 37 ARRS DaNang
Guy captured immediately on 20 Dec 67 along with Misty17 Bob Craner.
36 Williams, Brian (B. Willy) 18Mar68 Rescued Capt
Joe B. Green, RCC, Gerald B. Lowe, RCCP, Robert H. Baldwin, FE, Steve M. Northern, PJ#1, Deceased Michael L. Walker, PJ#2 Deceased – HH-3E – 37 ARRS – DaNang - Capt Howard K. Williams (A) KIA this event
40 Rutan, Richard G.(Dick) 17Aug68 Rescued Capt
Lonnie L. Mixon, (USCG) RCC, Don W. Wiegard, RCCP, Herbert H. Honer, FE, Robert K. Cassidy, PJ - Water landing HH-3E – 37ARRS – DaNang
52 Shaheen, Charles A.(Chuck) 17Aug68 Rescued Capt
Charles E. Wicker, RCC, Robert E. Booth, RCCP, Jackie L. Mangrum, FE, Eugene L. Nardi, PJ#1, James A. Thibodeau, PJ#2 -Water landing HH-3E – 37ARRS – DaNang
55 Jenny, David W.(Dave) X 05Jul68 Rescued Capt
David W. Jenny had Preston B. Hardy (Attached) in the back seat when they were shot down on 05Jul68 – See A-4 at end of the list
Water landing, Marine CH-46 recovered (A), Capt. David W. Jenny, Columbia, S.C
61 Kimball, Frank T. 20Nov68 Rescued Capt
Jolly Crew, Lt Col John J. Devlin RCC (37 ARRS Commander) Maj. Herman C. Stafford Jr., Charles L. Manes, FE, Eugene L. Nardi, PJ PJ - 150 ft hover above tree canopy HH-3E, 37 ARRS DaNang
66 Irving, L. 20Nov68 Rescued Capt
Jolly Crew, Lt Col John J. Devlin RCC (37 ARRS Commander) Maj. Herman C. Stafford Jr., Charles L. Manes, FE, Eugene L. Nardi, PJ - 150 ft hover above tree canopy HH-3E, 37 ARRS DaNang
Spads – William Farnam & Capt _ Thomas
67 Detwiler, Ross (Rosie) April 22, 1969 Rescued – Shot Down in F-100D after completing MISTY tour
Charles P. Lowry, RCC, Bruce E. Prouse, RCCP, James E. Jenereaux, FE. John J. Eldridge, PJ
77 Bryan, Robert (Bullet Bob) X 12Jan69 Rescued 1Lt
1Lt R.E. Bryan (B) picked up by OH-6
83 Cassaro, Robert F. (Cass) 12Jan69 Rescued Capt
Richard D. Griffiths, RCC, (Deceased), Homer H. Howell RCCP, Leslie E. Bunting, FE, Thomas T Winters, PJ – HH-3E, 37 ARRS DaNang
88 Grathwol, John M. (Deceased) 23Jan69 Rescued Maj
Charles E. Wicker, RCC, Russell G. Mills, RCCP, Arthur L. Ambrose, FE, Thomas T. Winters, PJ - – HH-3E, 37 ARRS DaNang
89 Clarke, Colin A.(Arnie} 23Jan69 Rescued Capt
James H. Grady, RCC, Donald P. Olsen, RCCP, Charles L. Manes, FE, Robert K. Cassidy, PJ – HH-3E, 37 ARRS DaNang
93 Veach, Charles Lacy (Deceased) 01Apr69 Rescued 1Lt
Henry E Simpson, Jr RCC, Robert A Reichert, RCCP, Charles Severns FE, Eugene L. Nardi PJ, Donald M. Lester AP – HH-3E, 37 ARRS DaNang
99 Standerfer, Ronald G.(Ron) 01Apr69 Rescued Maj
Henry E Simpson, Jr RCC, Robert A Reichert, RCCP, Charles Severns FE, Eugene L. Nardi PJ, Donald M. Lester AP – HH-3E, 37 ARRS DaNang
119 Muller, Don (Devil) 24Oct69 Rescued 1Lt
Robert T. Ritchie, (USCG) RCC, Sidney A. Sosnow RCCP, Frank Gaydos Jr. FE, Jon K Hoberg PJ#1, Edward K. Rendle, PJ#2 JG 76 shot off on first attempt; Silver Star for AC, DFC for CP/FE/PJ1,
Also picked Donald Smith, PJ; Air Force Cross for Smith - HH-3E, 37 ARRS DaNang
132 Clapper, Jack K. 24Oct69 Rescued Capt
Ted L. Smith, RCC, Edward B. Robbins, RCCP, Robert E. Hunt, FE, Paul L. Jenkins, PJ#1 (KIA 30 June 1970), Leland H. Sorensen, PJ#2 –HH-3E – Det. 1 40 ARRS
JG 28 Low bird, attempt to pick up MISTY 119, Charley Langham, RCC, Charles Bond, RCCP, James E. Smith, FE, Donald Smith, PJ
Aircraft shot up while in hover and hoist failed. TSgt Donald Smith, PJ had been lowered to assist survivor. TSgt Donald Smith, PJ stayed with pilot.
Aircraft crashed 1.5 miles away from survivor’s location.
Silver Star for AC, DFC for CP/FE/PJ1, Air Force Cross for PJ Donald Smith; JG 21(H)
Langham & crew recovered by another Jolly - High Bird USCG LT Dick Butchka, RCC. (Deceased) , John Coder RCCP, Joe Vai, FE. George F. Hoffman, PJ – HH-3E- 37 ARRS, Da Nang
Donald R. Almanzar, RCC, Peter L. Fekke, RCCP, Harold R. Hailey, FE, Anthony J. McFarr PJ#1, Douglas W. Crowder, PJ#2, Gregory L. Anderson, (KIA) (AP) HH-53. 40 ARRS. Three pickup attempts, shot off last time w/ battle damage; made emergency landing at Saravane
134 Merrill, Josiah L.III(Josh) 18Jan70 Rescued 1Lt
Ted L. Smith, RCC, John A. Raper, RCCP, Daryl I. Durant, FE, Ricky L Fleming, PJ#1, Lehman L. Booher, PJ#2, F-100 hit by 23mm near Ban Tok, tried to make Thailand; helo needed immediate AAR w/ HC-130, only 400 left HH-3E – Det. 1 40 ARRS
138 Scott, Harry D 18Jan70 Rescued Capt
Ted L. Smith, RCC, John A. Raper, RCCP, Daryl I. Durant, FE, Ricky L Fleming, PJ#1, Lehman L. Booher, PJ#2, F-100 hit by 23mm near Ban Tok, tried to make Thailand; helo needed immediate AAR w/ HC-130, only 400 left HH-3E – Det. 1 40 ARRS
143 Brown, Daniel F.,III (Dan) 19Jan70 Rescued Capt
David A. Voigt, RCC, John A. Tyson, RCCP, Randy L. Luke FE, Luther E. Davis, PJ. (KIA 25 May 1970) – HH-43, Det 7 38 ARRS
146 Farnsworth, E. 19Jan & 19Mar70 Rescued Capt
19 Jan 70 Pick-up - John H. Winter, RCC, James Z. Elkington. RCCP, Joseph J. Vai FE, Gary T. Osborne, PJ#1, George P. Hoffman III, PJ#2
19 Mar 70 Pick-up – David E. Vaughan, RCC, James Z. Elkington, RCCP, Claude C. Franks, FE, Terry L. Wetzel, PJ - F-100F. The crew was shot down just north of Delta 43, while doing an assessment of the status of an IDP (interdiction point).; Sandies laid smoke, JG 35/36 high cover during split pickups - HH-3E – 37 ARRS DaNang
151 Richards, James P. (J.P.) 08May70 Rescued 1Lt
Recovered by Loach in Laos
153 Davies II, James D. 19Mar70 Rescued Capt
John H. Fette, RCC, Charles C. Adams, RCCP, Gerald L. Hartzell, FE, Robert Reisig, PJ#1, Jon K. Hoberg, PJ#2 – Damaged acft flew back to Thailand for bailout; survivor injured, Davies had broken leg ,requiring both PJs on ground, 20 minute hover. - HH-3E – 37 ARRS DaNang
155 Marks, Jerry 08May70 Rescued Maj
Recovered in Laos by small unmarked helicopter (Possibly Air America)
A- 2 Snyder, Don 30Dec67 Rescued Capt
William E. Brennan, RCC, Frank Cardile, RCCP, John Enriquez, FE, Ricky D Hindman, PJ, Glenn C Colley AP - HH-3E – 37 ARRS DaNang
A- 3 Tapman, Thomas R 07Apr68 Rescued Maj
Harry W. Walker, RCC, Louis D. Yuhas, RCC, Bernard W. Grau, FE, Michael R. Fraboni, PJ, Bradley W. Kirk, (AP) – – HH-3E – Det. 1, 40 ARRS NKP
A-4 Hardy, Preston B. 05Jul68 Rescued Col
Lance A Eagan (USCG), Deceased, RCC, Richard D. Griffiths, Deceased, RCCP, Gordon T. Greever, Deceased FE, James F, Spears, (Deceased) PJ - Water landing - CH-46 recovered (A) Capt D.W. Jennie, HH-3E – 37 ARRS DaNang
RESCUE MISSIONS COORDINATED/SUPPORTED BY MISTY
15 October 1967 -Gunfighter Lead in North Viet Nam - Gunfighter 2 Feet Wet toward Da Nang.
Misty 21 – Mac McHugh/Jim Mack
F-4C -Stilletto 01, Survivors - Robert Malloy. William S. Paul each picked by the following JOLLYs:
JOLLY #1 Fred H. Otte, RCC, Ernest B. Betancourt Jr., RCCP, Smith Williams Jr. FE, Rodger A. Klenovich, PJ - HH-3E – 37 ARRS DaNang
JOLLY #2 Thomas E. Bair, RCC, Mark H. Mutchler, RCCP, Charles M, Harris, FE, Peter H. Eyrich, PJ - HH-3E – 37 ARRS DaNang
11 November 1967 –AWOL – F-4 – Sandy Shot Down on Mission and rescued. Jolly crewmember wounded. Misty 21. Don Sibson and Ray Lee – Lance Sijan AWOL 01B not rescued and died as a POW.
Misty 11 – Jim Mack & ????
Multiple Jollys and A-1 Sandys from Nakhon Phanom (NKP), Thailand
Pickup of Sandy Pilot - William E .Griffith,
James H Platt RCC, Edward J Sichterman Jr, RCCP, Benny D Negrette, FE, Roy A. Taylor, PJ HH-3E NKP
AFC to A-1E Ralph Hoggatt; JG 27 watched A-1 crash; PJ down to untangle survivor; Silver Star for PJ; DFC for CP, FE
20 November 1967
Crab 02B - F-4C Mission supported by MISTY FAC Charlie Neel – Jere Wallace
Herbert D. Kalen, RCC, Robert A. Bunker (Deceased), RCCP, William L. Carroll, FE, Donald K. Claudius Jr., PJ, Survivor - James L . Badly (KIA in 1968); (B) made it to shore (I believe he landed on shore-WRB), helo landed for p/u. HH-3E, 37 ARRS Da Nang
Rich Blackwell, RCC, John I. Patterson, RCCP, Jimmy L. Dodgen, FE, Donald J. Boushelle, PJ - HH-3E – 37 ARRS DaNang (JOLLY 07) HH-3E, 37 ARRS Da Nang
JG 07 scrambled from CIGAR (MACV Compound at Quang Tri to check out oil slick / raft; landed for closer look, but no survivor. Raft, not inflated was amid wreckage, it was assumed that Capt John M. Martin (A) did not eject and died when the aircraft impacted the sea. JOLLY landed on water impact site, no evidence pilot survived the crash. JOLLY eventually driven off by ground fire from shore.
1/18/1968 Hangar 01A F-4D North Viet Nam
Mission supported by MISTY FAC Charlie Smith (MISTY 38)
Henry C. Conant, RCC, George W. Greer, RCCP, Don E. Cole, FE, Patrick F. Allaire, PJ, Survivor Scott B. Stovin HH-3E NKP
1Lt Thomas N. Moe (B) became POW - returned 1973; DFC for CP, FE, DFC (1OLC) for PJ: JG 37(H)
14 March 1968 - Gunfighter 41 In Ah Shau Valley
First F-4 pilot recovered by Army Huey
Stuart H. Hoag, RCC, Gerald B. Lowe, RCCP, Dennis M. Richardson, FE, James D. Locker, PJ (KIA 9 June 1968). Attempting to recover second pilot, shot off survivor, FE WIA in shootout with enemy; Silver Stars for AC, CP, PJ; AFC nomination for FE (not resolved).
Joe B. Green, RCC, Charles R. Klinkert, RCCP, Windell L. Stumbaugh, FE, Angus C. McDougall, PJ
UH-1B was attempting to recover second pilot and were shot down. Army Crew recovered were R. L. Greene, G. W. Hubbell, plus survivors Sgt E.A. Jackson and Cpl M.W. Miller, Silver Star for AC, CP, PJ
All Aircraft - HH-3E, 37 ARRS Da Nang
Mistys Ed Risinger, Don Sheppard
Later than 11 April 1968 - Strobe 01 - -F-105 First Light Mission in North Viet Nam – Dick Rutan was the Misty Mission Coordinator
9 Jun 1968 - Master 01 Maj Carl Light - F-105 First Light Mission in North Viet Nam
F-105 First Light Mission in North Viet Nam Misty Pilots –Shaheen &Don Kilgus Misty 21 – Charlie Summers & Lanny Lancaster Misty 11
Donald P. Olsen, RCC, Charles R. Klinkert, RCCP, James A. Bowers, FE, Nathaniel T. Smith Jr. , PJ - HH-3E, 37 ARRS Da Nang
Two F-4D - Hudson 02A/B pilots rescued on same day
Donald G. Simpson, RCC, John E. Hannan, RCCP, Herbert H. Honer, FE, James F. Spears, (Deceased) PJ – Survivors William H. Bergman, (A) , David A. Willett, (B) HH-3E, 37 ARRS Da Nang
Loss of Jolly 23 and crew on separate mission in A Shau Valley South Viet Nam
Unknown Date Probably between July 1968 to Sep -Unknown aircraft in North Viet Nam – Da Nang Jolly H-3 responded from Functional Check Flight – PJ Went to ground for recovery
1 July 68 Scotch 3, a F-105 Thunderchief was hit. Lt. Col. Jack Modica. Jolly 21 was low bird and the crew, Lt. Lance Eagan, USCG, (Deceased) Aircraft Commander, with Maj. Bob Booth, USAF copilot, Sgt. Herb Honer, Engineer, and A1C Joel Talley PJ
25 July 1968 Strobe 10B, RF-4C – MISTY Pilots, Dick Rutan & Donald Harland
Paul D. Ashley, RCC, Ronald G. Spray, RCCP, Jimmy L. Dodgen, FE, James L. Miller, PJ, Survivor - Robert F. Brodman, (A) was Maj Gen Robert F. Worley, apparently disabled by flames when RCP ejected; fatally injured in crash. HH-3E, 37 ARRS Da Nang
25 July 1968 - Hellborn – Marine A-6 Hellborn 20A - Maj Curtis Lawson, USMC A-6 Intruder pilot, Hellborne 20B - Capt Paul G. Brown (Captured and held as POW. Released on March 14, 1973.
Curtis Lawson recovered by Charles E. Wicker, RCC, Robert E. Booth, RCCP, John Enriquez, FE, Steve M. Northern, PJ (Deceased) HH-3E, 37 ARRS Da Nang
Wild SAR - flew in and out right above water to survivor position, shooting all the way - fired 2,400 rds M60, (B) POW
High Bird – Vern Dander RCC
Have comments from Vern on this mission, rest of his crew members unknown
Original Low Bird-Aborted -Billy Wingfield, RCC, Deceased, Frank Cardile, RCCP
July 14 1968 – F-105 Call Sign Panda ( Maj. Mark or Robe Hanna– Misty P. K. Robininson
Recovery by NKP HH-53 supported by Sandys
Edward L, Heft, RCC, Roger C. Gibson, RCCP, Jarvis E. Peele, FE, Jay T. Lombard, PJ – HH-3E Det. 1, 40th ARRS NKP
1 Sep 68 – Sage 01B – RF-4C - No record found but the following was an NVN mission on this date.
(Carter 02A F-4D) Jack R. Wilson, (A)
Jollys from NKP
Edward L. Heft, RCC, Stuart M. Silver, RCCP, Gregory G. Gallager, FE, Don A. Beasley, PJ, - AH-1H Sandy Pilot William A. Jones III HH-3E Det. 1, 40th ARRS NKP
1Lt William L. Kinkade (B) KIA this event; Medal of Honor mission for A-1 lead - Lt Col William Jones
25 November 1968 Grommet 02 RF-4 - Jolly 19, Jolly 20 and Sandys (Probably from NKP) Unsuccessful Rescue! Mistys Chuck Holden and Bob Konopka
Date Unknown Jan – Maybe Feb 1968– Playboy –51A an 51A (both pilots used same ground call signs), an A-4 - Successful recovery of both pilots ( Probably from NKP) pick south of Tchepone
January 24, 1969 Misty 51 worked rescue of Honda 3A and B
Jolly 17 = Lance Egan as RCC, Deceased, Captain Roger Gibson as Co-pilot, FM MSgt Arthur Krum, PJs A1C Douglas Horka and TSgt Dal Widner – HH-3E – 37 ARRS - DaNang
5 January 1970 Pick up of ground party in Steel Tiger South area. Sandy Support, Pickup aircraft unknown.
ACRONYMS
RCC Rescue Crew Commander
RCCP Rescue Crew Copilot
FE Flight Engineer
PJ Pararescue Specialist
AP Aerial Photographer