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34th Tactical Fighter Squadron - Thud Era

Korat RTAFB, Thailand - May 1966 to May 1969

Guys: Last name starting with A through F

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      These are some of the men that were members of the 34th TFS during the Thud era. Click on a name to see a picture from that era and a current address if we have it. Howard Plunkett has compiled F-105 histories on most of the people and these can be accessed via a link under the name.

      (Click any picture for a larger image.)

      A

      Darrell J. Ahrens
      Darrell Ahrens
      Darrell Ahrens
      He's also in the squadron picture from early 1968.

      E-mail: dahrens7@cox.net
      Address: 281 S. Bandera Circle, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
      Phone: (623) 935-9041
      Anthony Charles "Tony" Andrews
      Tony Andrews
      Tony is honored on Veteran Tributes and also on our Honor Roll page.

      Current address:
      10611 N Fleetwood Ct.,
      Spokane, WA 99208-9465

      Phone: 509 467-2500

      Email: thuddriver3@msn.com
      Spence M. "Sam" Armstrong
      William "Augie" Augsburger - Deceased
      Augie Augsburger
      Augie Augsburger

      "Augie" Augsburger enjoying his pineapple after completing 100 missions.

      Augie Augsburger
      Augie and his wife Phyllis donated a plaque honoring the 34th TFS to the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.

      Bill Augsburger died on September 16, 2018, at age 89.

      Donald S. Aunapu
      We don't have a vintage picture of Don.

      Email address: daunapu@comcast.net
      Current address: 419 Live Oak Ct NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122-1405

      Phone: 505 856-2206
      Donald O. Austin
      Don Austin
      Don Austin

      Don Austin's ready for anything!

      Don Austin

      Don finishes his 100 and Squadron Commander Major George Clausen presents him with the pineapple.

      Don Austin

      Another shot of Don Austin with his 100 mission pineapple and George Clausen watching; July 13, 1967.

      Don Austin

      Don got to fly his own Mr. Blackbird for #100.

      Don Austin
      Current address: 5307 Canyon View Dr., Castle Rock, CO 80104
      Joseph C. Austin - Deceased
      Jor Austin

      Joe Austin in December 1966 with the 13 TFS Wild Weasels.

      Jor Austin

      Joe Austin hands 100 mission pineapple to Don Hankins. March 1967.

      34th Squadron Commander LtCol Joe Austin was killed in action on 19 March 1967.

      The POW Network has a few more details.

      B

      Earl F. Bancroft - Deceased
      We don't have a vintage picture of Earl.
      Earl Bancroft, born 20 April 1929, died in Houston, Texas, during April 1981.
      Almer L. "Buddy" Barner Jr. - Deceased
      Buddy Barner

      Colonel Flynn briefing Major Almer L. "Buddy" Barner, Jr.

      Buddy Barner

      Buddy Barner completes his 100 in March 1968.

      Almer "Buddy" Barner Jr. died April 22, 2008.
      Jim Barr
      We don't have a vintage picture of Jim, but he is shown in the early 1968 squadron picture.
      Seymour R. "Sam" Bass - Deceased
      We don't have a vintage picture of Sam, but he is shown in the early 1968 squadron picture.
      Sam died on May 14, 1968, in a mid-air collision over Thailand.
      James R. Bassett
      James arrived in May 1967 with the Ryan's Raiders and was assigned to the 34th TFS for a short period.
      We don't have a vintage picture of James.
      Oral L. Bell
      We don't have a vintage picture of O. L. (April 1968 - April 1969).
      Current address: 6610 Montclair Lane, Madison, WI 53711

      Email: obl@aol.com
      Eugene Paul Beresik - Deceased
      Eugene Beresol
      Eugene Beresol
      Gene Beresik was killed in action on May 31, 1968.

      Some details of the mission are listed on the Western Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial page.
      William W. Berkman
      We don't have a vintage picture of William.
      Douglas A. Beyer - Deceased
      Doug Beyer

      Doug shortly after arrival in August 1967.

      Doug Beyer

      100 missions complete on March 13, 1968.

      Doug Beyer died on December 31, 2018, at age 84.

      Obituary (pdf file)

      Charles E. Bishop
      We don't have a vintage picture of Charles.
      He retired as a Brigadier General and his official Air Force bio is here.
      Neil F. Blake
      Neil arrived in May 1967 with the Ryan's Raiders and was assigned to the 34th TFS for a short period.
      We don't have a vintage picture of Neil.
      William M. Blakeslee - Deceased
      We don't have a vintage picture of Bill, but he is shown in two of the squadron pictures: October 1967 & Sometime in 1968.
      He completed his 100 missions in March 1968.
      William Blakeslee died January 6, 2003, in Bellevue, NE at age 74.
      Kenneth T. Blank - Deceased
      Ken Blank

      Kenneth Blank's claim to fame came on August 18, 1966, when he shot down a MiG-17.
      In this picture he has just completed his 100th mission.

      Ken Blank

      Ken in the 35th TFS just prior to deploying to Korat.

      Kenneth Blank died in an F-111 accident on 18 January 1972.
      Lawrence L. "Larry" Bogemann
      Larry Bogemann
      Larry finished his 100 missions in September 1968 and is shown (left) with Ben Fuhrman (center) and Ivor Goodrich (right).
      E-mail: lbogemann@earthlink.net

      Current address:
      2528 Lindair Drive,
      Springfield, OH 45502
      George A. Bogert
      We don't have a vintage picture of George.

      Email address: bogert8@hotmail.com
      Aquilla Friend Britt - Deceased
      Aquilla Britt
      Aquilla arrived in April 1967 with the Ryan's Raiders and was assigned to the 34th TFS for a short period.
      Major Britt was killed on October 25, 1967, when he was directed to land in bad weather at Tan Son Nhut AB, South Vietnam, and his F-105 collided with a C-123 Provider that was on the active runway.
      Colonel Burdett, 388th TFW Commander, wrote a letter to the Britt family: copy here.

      He is honored by Veteran Tributes and the Military Times Hall of Valor.

      There is also recognition on the Virtual Wall.
      Jack Brooks
      We don't have a vintage picture of Jack.
      Robert E. Bryan
      We don't have a vintage picture of Bob, but he is shown in the March 1969 squadron picture.
      Robert moved to the 34th when the 469th got their F-4Es on 17 Nov 68.
      Glen Francis Bullock - Deceased
      Glen Bulloock

      1stLt. Glen F. "Buzz" Bullock

      Glen F. Bullock died in an F-105 accident on 10 October 1966.

      A nice tribute to Buzz is on the Virtual Wall.
      David Lyle Burney - Deceased
      David arrived in April 1967 with the Ryan's Raiders and was assigned to the 34th TFS for a short period.

      We don't have a vintage picture of David.
      David Lyle Burney was born on February 7, 1937 and passed away on August 30, 2018.

      C

      Leo F. Callahan - Deceased
      Leo Callahan
      Leo Callahan

      Al Fick, Dick Heyman, and Leo Callahan all complete their 100 missions on the same flight.

      Leo died on December 31, 2018, at the age of 87.

      Obituary (pdf file)

      Robert T. "Soupy" Campbell - Deceased
      We don't have a vintage picture of Soupy.
      He died on March 30, 2014, at the age of 86.
      David J. Carroll - Deceased
      We don't have a vintage picture of David.
      David died on August 24, 2003, He was buried in the Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery, Oceanside California. He was born 15 February 1930.
      David C. Carter
      David Carter

      David Carter wasn't always this serious;.

      David Carter

      Or maybe he really was!

      Current address:
      69 Runway LN,
      Temple, TX 76504

      E-mail: dcarter1984@centurylink.net
      Gary G. Catren
      Gary Catren

      Gary Catren finally took a hit on his last mission; February 1967.

      Gary Catren

      Gary shares his 100 mission pineapple; wingman Dick Heyman at left.

      Current address:
      8305 East Sandstone Dr,
      Tucson, AZ 85750

      E-mail: garycatren@comcast.net
      William S. Chairsell - Deceased
      William Chairsell

      388th Tactical Fighter Wing Commander Colonel William Chairsell prior to his promotion.

      William Chairsell

      388th Wing Commander BG Chairsell and 34th Operations Officer LtCol Carl McKenzie at the bar after both completed their 100 missions.

      William Chairsell died on November 27, 1994.

      His biography is on the Air Force web site.
      Nevin G. Christensen

      We don't have a vintage picture of Nevin.

      He completed 100 missions in June 1968.

      Peter Bugbee Christianson - Deceased
      We don't have a picture of Peter, but he is shown in the March 1969 squadron picture.
      Major Christianson was shot down on 3 April 1969 near the Plain of Jars while flying #62-4269. He was killed in action.
      George G. Clausen
      George Clausen

      Bobby Martin and George Clausen heading out for a flight; mid-1967.

      George Clausen

      George Clausen awards the Blue Max to Dave Waldrop.

      Current address:
      24207-D Lomitas Dr.,
      Woodlake, CA 93286

      E-mail: georgec278@ATT.net
      Vincent Colasuonno - Deceased
      Vincent Colasuanno

      Doug Roysdon, Tony Germann and Vince Colasuanno after helping Joe Sechler into and out of the pool.

      Major Vincent Colasuonno came to the 34th June 16, 1968.

      He was transferred to the 333rd TFS at Takhli where he was killed in action February 12, 1969.
      Gary R. Confer
      Gary Confer

      Gary looks good in his party suit.

      On his 8th mission Gary took a hit and had to land at Udorn.

      Check pictures #39 & #40 on the Planes page.

      Email address: gconfer@frontier.com
      Sheldon Cooper - Deceased
      Sheldon Cooper
      We don't have a vintage picture of Sheldon with the F-105, but here he is by his previous ride, the F-100.

      He is also shown in the March 1969 squadron picture.
      Sheldon died on March 25, 2014 (Obituary).
      We only have a short F-105 history, but it is linked below.
      James D. Cottingham
      We don't have a vintage picture of James, but he is shown in the March 1969 squadron picture.
      James was in the 34th when they temporarily operated from Takhli while Korat's runway was under repair between 25 Jan - 4 Mar 69.
      Robert M. Crane
      Robert Crane
      Robert Crane
      Robert Crane
      Robert Crane
      Robert Crane
      Robert Crane
      Robert Crane

      The prized ride after 100 missions.

      Robert Crane

      Bob goes into the pool with help - R to L Bob Smith, Vern Ellis, Ken Mays.

      Bob completed his 100 missions in January 1968.
      Dana B. Cromack - Deceased
      Dana Cromack
      Dana Cromack
      Dana Cromack
      He completed 100 missions in December 1966.
      Dana Cromack died on January 20, 1990, at the age of 57.
      John W. Crotty
      We don't have a vintage picture of John, but he is shown in the March 1969 squadron picture.
      John transferred to the 34th after the 469th TFS got F-4Es.
      Jackie Crouch
      We don't have a vintage picture of Jackie, but he is shown in a 100 mission swimming pool scene on the Pictures Page (picture #24).
      Thomas H. Curtis
      Thomas Curtis

      Tom is proud of his 100 missions.

      Thomas Curtis
      Thomas Curtis

      Colonel Chairsell congratulates Tom upon completion of his 100 missions in October 1966.

      D

      James E. Daniel Jr. - Deceased
      We don't have a vintage picture of James, but he is shown in the October 1967 squadron group picture.
      James died on January 15, 1995 at the age of 75.
      Jim Daniels
      We don't have a vintage picture of Jim.
      He flew in 1969.
      Hugh W. Davis
      Hugh Davis

      Hugh completed 100 missions on January 16, 1968.

      Hugh Davis

      Nailing his name plate to the wing 100 mission board.

      Current address:
      1169 Bordeaux Drive,
      Fort Collins, CO 80526

      Email: hwdavisret@comcast.net
      David C. Dickson Jr. - Deceased
      We don't have a vintage picture of David, however he is shown in the October 1967 squadron picture.
      David completed his 100 missions in March 1968.
      He died of a massive heart attack (actually in the hospital doorway) on 13 July 1994.
      David Thomas Dinan - Deceased
      David Dinan
      David was killed in action on March 17, 1969.

      He is honored on the Honor Roll page.

      Dave's burial at Arlington National Cemetery on April 25, 2018, is shown in this video.
      Nicholas (Nick) J. Donelson
      Nick Donelson

      Nick Donelson by the squadron sign, 1967.

      Nick Donelson

      Nick Donelson completes his 100 missions and awards the crew chief, 1967.

      Nick Donelson

      By the hootch.

      Air Force Cross
      Nick was awarded the Air Force Cross for a mission on August 23, 1967. Read his citation on the History page.
      There is also a nice biography on Veteran Tributes and recognition on The Military Hall of Valor.
      Paul P. Douglas, Jr. - Deceased
      We don't have a vintage picture of Colonel Douglas who was the 388th TFW commander and assigned to the 34th TFS for flying.
      General Douglas is honored on Veteran Tributes.
      Brigadier General Paul P. Douglas, Jr. died Thursday, 26 December 2002 in Killeen, TX.
      Arkansas Traveler

      The Hill AFB Museum fact sheet describes this aircraft.

      Rex L. Dull - Deceased
      Rex Dull

      Rex ready for action in 1966.

      Rex Dull
      Rex Dull
      Rex Dull
      Rex Dull died of a massive heart attack on August 16, 2017, at age 79.
      Gary G. Durkee - Deceased
      Gary Durkee

      Monty Pharmer, with the scarf, and Gary Durkee after finishing their 100 missions.

      Gary Durkee

      Gary receives his plaque in August 1968.

      Gary Durkee died from lung cancer on 1 October 1993.
      Ralph E. Durnbaugh
      We don't have a vintage picture of Ralph (April 1968 - April 1969).
      Current address:
      120 Turkey Run,
      Meadowlakes, TX 78654

      E-mail: imathudpilot@gmail.com
      Arthur Duston
      We don't have a vintage picture of Arthur.
      Rufus Dye Jr. - Deceased
      Rufus Dye
      Rufus Dye

      Rufus completed his 100 missions in July 1968 and received the customary dunking.

      Rufus Dye

      And he's happy to buy drinks after finishing.

      A story about Rufus and his Purple Heart in World War II (pdf version).

      Another story with Rufus and the P-51.
      Rufus Dye died on August 3, 2015, at the age of 92.

      E

      William C. "Bill" Eagle - Deceased
      Bill Eagle

      Bill Eagle and Rod Giffin on R&R in Japan; early 1967.

      Bill Eagle died on July 13, 2015.

      Robert Malcom Elliot - Deceased
      The only vintage picture we have of Bob is the October 1967 squadron photo.
      Robert was shot down on February 14, 1968. More details are on the Honor Roll Page.

      There is also a nice write-up on the Arlington National Cemetery website.
      Billy J. Ellis - Deceased
      We don't have a vintage picture of Billy, but his biography is on The Official Air Force web site.
      Billy Joe Ellis died on March 12, 2013, at the age of 84.
      Vernon D. Ellis
      Vern Ellis

      Vern completed his 100 missions in February 1968.

      Vern Ellis
      Vern Ellis

      Now for a trip to the O Club for a real celebration!

      He is also shown in the October 1967 squadron picture.
      Al Esser
      Al arrived in May 1967 with the Ryan's Raiders and was assigned to the 34th TFS for a short period.
      We don't have a vintage picture of Al.
      Olin K. (Ken) Everett
      Ken Everett


      "A" flight in early 1968. L to R: Dave Igelman, Rog Ingvalson, Ken Everett, Monty Pharmer & Gary Durkee.

      Ken Everett

      Ken having a cool one.

      Another vintage picture we have of Ken is this group shot from early 1968.

      Email: okeverett@earthlink.net

      F

      Clyde L. Falls Jr. - Deceased
      Clyde Falls

      In a party suit.

      Clyde Falls

      Last mission over.

      Clyde Falls

      Glad that's done.

      Clyde Falls

      The 100 mission pineapple.

      Clyde Falls

      Is that battle damage?

      Clyde Falls

      After the traditional dunking.

      Clyde Falls

      Drinks are on me!

      Clyde Falls

      Here's the way it went...

      The pictures above and a few more can be viewed on Dropbox in higher resolution.
      Clyde is also pictured on the October 1967 squadron picture.
      After his Korat tour Clyde was assigned to the F-106 at McChord AFB, Washington, and was killed in an aircraft crash on April 22, 1969.
      Clyde finished his 100 missions in March 1968.
      Charles J. Ferrari
      We don't have a vintage picture of Charles, but he is shown in the March 1969 squadron picture.
      Charles was in the 34th during their TDY operation from Takhli and later served in the 44th TFS.
      Alan J. Fick
      Alan Fick
      Al Fick, Dick Heyman, and Leo Callahan all finish their 100 missions on the same flight. March 1967.
      Alan Fick
      Alan Fick
      E-mail: altows@aol.com

      Current address:
      5150 Picket Dr,
      Colorado Springs, CO 80918
      Richard P. "Dick" Fitzgerald - Deceased
      Dick Fitzgerald
      Dick Fitzgerald with his 100 mission pineapple. August 1966.

      Dick died August 22, 1993.

      John P. Flynn - Deceased
      John Flynn

      Colonel Flynn briefing Major "Buddy" Barner.

      Colonel Flynn was the 388th TFW Vice Commander and attached to the 34th. He flew several missions before being shot down on October 27, 1967, and captured (see the Honor Roll).
      Air Force Cross

      Colonel Flynn was awarded the Air Force Cross for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 27 October 1967 to 10 November 1967.

      Read the citation on the History Page.

      He's also shown in the October 1967 squadron picture.
      General Flynn is honored on Veteran Tributes.
      Lieutenant General Flynn retired 30 September 1978 and died at age 74 of Alzheimer's disease on 5 March 1997 in San Antonio, Texas.
      David W. Forgan - Deceased
      David Forgan
      David was in the 34th TFS as a Ryan's Raiders pilot.
      His biography is on The Official Air Force web site.
      General Forgan's wife, Shirley, has written a good book on her life with Dave: "Earning My Wings. Adventures of an Air Force Wife".
      David died July 26, 2013 at age 79. Obituary.
      Clarence Edward Fox
      Ed Fox
      Ed Fox on R&R in Bangkok, 1966.
      Donald F. Fryauf - Deceased
      We don't have a vintage photo of Don (January 1967-August 1967), but he is shown in the May 1967 squadron picture.
      Donald Frank Fryauf, 83, died on November 21, 2011, near his home in Davenport, Florida.
      Benjamin J. Fuhrman
      Ben Fuhrman

      Ben finished his 100 missions in September 1968 and is shown (center) with Larry Bogemann and Ivor Goodrich.

      Ben Fuhrman

      It is time for drinks at the bar to celebrate the completion of 100 missions.

      Current address:
      3757 Paseo Del Sol,
      Mesa, AZ 85207

      Email: benandjanelle@hotmail.com

      Phone: 480-654-0041

      In Remembrance Of Those Who Served!