-
Re: Seeking names of 18 aircrew from SEA
Richard,
Not sure if you have seen this report, but worth reading. This is all based on a shoot down in 1969, however found an article pertains to 1970 separate events.
https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a586295.pdf
https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=8116&context=nwc-review
https://www.navalhistory.org/2010/04/15/15-april-1969-deep-sea-129-shootdown
16 MAR 1970
EC-121M Super Constellation Buno 145927 (PR-26). Squadron VQ-1, crash at DaNang Vietnam after flight from Tainian, Taiwan. Fatalities: LCDR Harvey C. K. Aiau, LCDR Harry C. Martin, LT George L. Morningstar, LT Robin A. Pearce, LTjg James M. Masters, Jr., LTjg Charles E. Pressler, LTjg Jean P. Souzon, ADRC William John Risse, ADR1 Arthur Simmons, ADR1 Donald W. Wilson, AT1 Larry O. Marchbank, AE2 Floyd E. Andrus III, ADR3 Gregary J. Asbeck, AMS2 William P. Bletsch, ATN2 Guy Thomas Denton, ATR2 Joseph S. Saukaitis, ATN2 John S. Schaefer, ADR2 Stuart J. Scruggs, ATN2 Barry M. Searby, ATN3 John Macy Birch, ATN3 Thurle E. Case, Jr., ATN3 Ben Allen Hughes, Jr., and ATN3 Ralph S. Purhum.
Hope this helps,
Elliot Schneider
-
Re: Seeking names of 18 aircrew from SEA
I ran a web search and came back with different lists of names, referencing from 18 to 31 people.
Take a look at these to see if it's helpful.
https://www.navalhistory.org/2010/04/15/15-april-1969-deep-sea-129-shootdown
https://stationhypo.com/2016/04/15/remembering-the-crew-of-ec-121-beggar-shadow-april-15-1969/
Are you an Old Crow?
Let me know if you want this pursued further.
-
Re: Seeking names of 18 aircrew from SEA
Very helpful - thanks. My Brother John was 121 navy pilot - he and I were in same place at same time. when navy lost their 121 I volunteered to go up there - one article said we had escorts - I was first plane up after disaster and we were promised 2 F4"s would be on 5 minute alert (pilot in cockpit) not so- I had 2 migs heading towards us (we were on west coast of N Korea) and I was told planes would be airborne in 30 min's - HA!! We dove towards sea and headed south - we lost migs - I had a "nice" discussion with Col in charge - after that we had S Koreans fly escort.
The Col blamed the navy and vice versa - typical.
A few missions later I was controlling a flight of S Koreans on special tactics - we were flying in bad weather and were over S. Korea flying north - we came to the bay seperating the North from the S & N in middle of bay - I radioed and told planes to turn Starboard 180 - then Right 180 - then left' port - they did not understand my Cape Cod accent - I stayed with them til we broke out of weather and they saw we were passing half way mark -they got very excited and turned south for home -- needless to say the Col got very upset with me - he wanted my tapes (He had to try and explain why I went into N korean airspace and we went 1 defcon up worldwide) I had an SI clearance (above top secret) and told him I was only giving my tapes to my Sdq commander back in SEA - He did not like that- his response - kicked me out of Japan and I and my crew went back to SEA and continued our efforts --
I went up north to help and I guess my accent sort of buggered up my efforts to help.
-
-
Re: Seeking names of 18 aircrew from SEA
Holly Rivet
Dec 31, 2020 12:24 PM
Dear Mr. Ohrn,
Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!
We searched the Access to Archival Databases (AAD) and located the Combat Air Activities File (CACTA), 01/01/1970 - 02/29/1970 [Translation Version], 1/1/1970 - 2/29/1970 in the Records of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff (Record Group 218) that includes 919 hits for Navy EC-121. Each record contains data on a mission, one sortie of that mission, and one or more incidents of different types that occurred during the sortie. If more than one incident of the same type occurred during the sortie, a separate record for each incident exists.
We searched the National Archives Catalog and located the Muster Rolls and Personnel Diaries of U.S. Navy Ships, Stations, and Other Naval Activities, 1/1/1949 - 12/31/1971 in the Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel (Record Group 24) that may include the muster rolls of the squadron during 1970. The original 16mm microfilm had been digitized and the images are available via the Catalog. A number of images may be illegible due to the poor quality of the original microfilm that was transferred to NARA by the Department of the Navy. The original paper records were destroyed by the Navy after filming.
Command histories for aviation squadrons dated after WWII are in the custody of the Naval Aviation History Branch, Naval History & Heritage Command, 805 Kidder Breese Street, SE, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC 20374-5060. Please contact them directly for access to these histories.
We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your research!
Sincerely,
Holly Rivet