Jack, I launched you several times during July of 1967 when I first arrived in country. And of course, I was at the festivities on the ramp when you returned from your 100th mission. Being a young first term airman I really did grasp the significance of that entire year, I just rolled with the flow and enjoyed it quietly. Only now, at near 70 years old do I appreciate that segment of my 30 year career. I am so thankful for that long, very long year that now that I think about it, went by so fast. The friendships I had, the experiences, all are memories that seem to be getting fuzzier everyday. Then reading all the post on this guest book and the many 105 groups on FB refreshes my memory banks daily. Within the last few months I started my own group on FB, "The Thai Connection~F105 Style" Our group is small but growing fast. When I left Korat and returned to the CONUS I stayed in the AF until 69 than left to join the Kansas Air Guard at McConnell so I could once again work on my beloved THUD's and I stay there until 96. Still check this guestbook weekly to renew my connection. Was an Honor to have Served with You Sir. Great Group and Web site.

Thank you for your service Dennis. I will be in touch by email. Take care, Jack

Thank you for this site to honor our brave Vietnam pilots. Bob McDaniel was my neighbor in Dickinson, and a deer hunting buddy. Bob taught me to fly. Bob was a great man who loved his country and honored the men he served with. Many of the stories Bob related regarding missions into Northern Laos and North Vietnam (during the Paris Peace talks) made me appreciate what a difficult and dangerous job these pilots endured. Bob also told a few stories of the "Jolly Green Giant" pilot extraction crews sent in to recover downed pilots - what a dangerous and most appreciated job. Bob said the Thud pilots would fight to buy these helicopter crewmen bar drinks. Bob shared a story of how the pilots almost had an opportunity to drop a bomb on Hanoi Jane; however, Washington refused to clear the mission which would fly near her. I honor each of the men listed in this website and the job they did in SE Asia. Our Vietnam Vets coming home from war did not receive the heroes welcome they richly deserved..

Thank you for the nice tribute. Take care, Jack

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

Thomas, Thanks for your entry and nice comments. Good luck, Jack

Hello, my name is Scott Plakyda and I'm an A-10 pilot based out of Whiteman AFB. Our squadron is going to Hill AFB for TDY from 29 March to 9 April. I, as well as the squadron, are very interested in combat aviation history. In my opinion, there was no more dangerous mission than what the F-105 did in Vietnam. I have read several books about the Thud in combat and we would love to meet a real 105 driver with combat experience. We will be at Hill AFB during that time period, but spending the weekend of 31 Mar-3 Apr at Park City. We would be honored if at any time and any place during that time period we could meet up with any Thud pilot(s) that still live in the Salt Lake area. You would be invited to see what the A-10 is about, get a walk around, sit in the cockpit, share war stories, and have some food and drinks. We would love to hear how air combat and CSAR has changed, or stayed the same, over the years. If any of you guys live in or are visiting the Kansas City area, you would be more than welcome to visit our squadron and fly in our simulators. You can contact me either this email or cell 816-519-8504. Also, if you know of anyone else that I can contact about meeting up, I would appreciate their contact info as well.

Thanks for your service and for reading this. Hopefully we can make this work and meet some real-life heroes that we read about.
Respectfully, Scott Placed

Hi Scott, Thank you for the invitation and for your service also. Take care, Jack

I had the great fortune to meet Col. Terry at my father's funeral a few days ago. Col. Terry and my father both worked at the Episcopalian church in Newnan GA in the finances department, and he was kind enough to share some words with me about working with my dad, and then indulge my questions about his service flying Thuds in combat. It was my sincere honor and pleasure to spend a few moments with Col. Terry, and after reading about some of his missions and decorations, I'm even more grateful to have met him. To Col. Homer Terry, and to all of our servicemen who flew into harm's way to defend American interests, no matter how dangerous the mission, please accept my deepest gratitude.

Chris, Thank you for the nice comments. Sorry for your loss. Take care, Jack

I am his great niece, my grandmother is his younger sister (Gertrude Kahler). I was just visiting her for Christmas, she just turned 90 and it was great to hear some stories about Harold Kahler, especially how my mother was his favorite one to spoil. Anyways I wanted to compliment you on the website. I found some pictures of him that I've never seen before. Growing up I've always heard stories about him which he and my grandfather have been my heroes and the reason why i decided to enlist after I graduated high school (usmc 2007)..If anybody has any pictures or stories they would love to share about Col. Harold Kahler please email me. I would love to hear them. Thank you for your service,
- Chrystal Haith
P.S. I'm currently wearing his mia bracelet as I type this. I love to keep his memory alive since my mother and grandmother miss him.

Chrystal, Thank you for your service. I also began in the USMC. And thanks for remembering Harold with those memories. Take care, Jack

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