Dennis, Thank you for your service. Good luck on hearing from some of the guys. Take care, Jack

Fred, Thank you for your service. Take care, Jack

Brian, And thank you for that nice entry! Take care, Jack

Roland, Thanks for your posting and thank you for your service. Take care, Jack

I was a crew chief for two F-105's at Korat. Lost my first aircraft over North Vietnam in October 1967. I posted a picture of my first F-105 "Isaiah 6-8" on this web site. I have a few more of the base, head quarters, aircraft, and flightline. I will try to post them soon.

I did not stay in touch with the guys I worked with or played GI pinochle at the NCO Club except for Lamar (Denny) Pitman, he was in Transit Alert. Would like to touch base with other crew chiefs and pilots that knew me.

After the second aircraft was shot down I was TDY to the RB-66 group.

Anyone that has been successful in getting approved for Agent Orange exposure please let me know.

Tom, Thank you for the message and thanks for your service. Take care, Jack

Al, Thank you for the kind words. We miss them all. Take care, Jack

Just found this website and the memories keep flooding back of all the brave pilots and hard working maintenance folks I had a chance to work with that year I spent at Korat.
I was the Crew Chief on 58-1157 and strapped Colonel James E. Bean in on his last mission prior to his being shot down. For over twenty years I never knew what happened to him as info on his loss was not available that day. One day while reading a book written by another POW I found his name as a POW.
My curiosity was so peaked that I spent the whole next day talking to folks at Davis-Monthan finance trying to locate Col. Bean. Got lucky and after a phone call to a local Sheriffs Office back east I convinced them to deliver my phone number to him. He was living with his brother. He called and we talked for a good hour plus about his ordeal. Col. Bean has since passed away but I remember that day like it was yesterday.
Saw a couple names in the guest book that I remember. Great site, keep it up.

Mike, Thank you for your service and the story. You crew chiefs sure did great work keeping us in the air. Take care, Jack

I'm a recent retired Buff/Bone WSO that loves our Air Force history and traditions. In my opinion the WW II 8AF bomber guys and all the Nam Thud guys get the nod for the most special recognition (LOL, I'm still trying to write somebody's OER). I recently acquired Mervin Taylor's helmet and issue Benrus watch from an estate sale. I understand he passed away in 2010 after many years in retirement. I'm making a small display of some of my collections in our EAA chapter facility, and I'm going to use these items along with several art displays and models to allow our members and visitors a chance to reflect on your era and actions. Thanks for all your service.

Brian, Thank you for your service and your comments. Mervin Taylor and I flew many interesting missions together; he was a great fighter pilot. Glad his items found a suitable home. Jack

Elaine, Thank you for the posting. Our condolences to you on your recent loss of Dewey. Take care, Jack

I was the crew chief of 318 in Korat. I was reassigned stateside but I transferred 318 to the 354th TFS in Takhli before I left. Eight years later I am enlisted maintenance advisor to the 113th TFW DC ANG at Andrews AFB and we received some replacement aircraft from Maconnell AFB, among them were...yep, you guessed it, 62-4318!! In 1982 I transferred it again, this time to the 421st TFW AFRES Hill AFB, Utah. A few years later I came across an article about 318 being put on display in Centralia Illinois. During this search I became acquainted with Betty Pachura, widow of Lt Col. Bill Pachura whose assigned aircraft was 62-4318 at Takhli!!! Now I find Mr. Morgan's adventure with the aircraft in 1964, Holy Cow!!! Mr. Morgan, thanks for your service, thanks for taking as good care of 318 as she would let you. Nice to know she isn't awaiting the boneyard. Funny thing, we had nose art on our airplanes (can't do it today, Me got in heap big trouble in Iraq war 2003) the guy next to me named his -105 "Thunder Axe" because his had flown through some trees, if I'd only known!!!

Okay, Thud fixers, what 3 jobs were the biggest pain in the --- on the -105? How's about #3; installing the "Iron Maiden". #2; closing the drag chute door (I weighed 130 lbs, after 20 attempts, my pilot suggested that I hold my toolbox in my hand and try it again!! And #1; the raising and lowering of the bomb bay tank.

Mike, Thank you for your service. Great memories, thanks for sharing. Take care, Jack

Hi Matt, Thank you for your comment and glad you liked the video. I will certainly post a picture of your dad if you can find one and forward it to me. Take care, Jack

Tom, Thank you for your inquiry. There are a few members of the 34th TFS that fit your requirements, so perhaps they will respond. Jack