97 - 34th TFS Crew Chief 9/67-9/68
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