Lest They Be Forgotten

Lest They Be Forgotten. . , In 1963 the United States started sending military observer and advisers to South Vietnam to augment their conflict with communist North Vietnam. By 1967 the U.S. was fully engaged in the conflict with ultimately 500,000 U.S. troops engaged in active combat both in South Vietnam and in the air over North Vietnam. In 1972 the North Vietnamese were holding more than 500 U.S. servicemen as prisoners of war (POWs) in prisons in and around Hanoi, North Vietnam. That year the United States initiated negotiations with the North Vietnamese to gain their release. These talks were held in Paris, France., In support of this political effort, in September 1972 the 429th and 430th Tactical Fighter Squadrons of the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing deployed to Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base (AFB), Thailand, from Nellis AFB, Nevada. This military operation was called Operation Linebacker II/Constant Guard V. When the North Vietnamese delegation would break off the peace talks, the men of the 474h Tactical Fighter Wing would "saddle up and go downtown." Night after night the F-111As would penetrate the heavily defended area around Hanoi and Haiphong Harbor and strike strategic military targets. Alone and unescorted by other military aircraft, the F-111As were nicknamed "whispering death" by the North Vietnamese. Finally on January 27, 1973, the Paris Peace Accords were signed by the United States and North Vietnam insuring the release of all POWS being held by North Vietnam. By the end of March 1973 all acknowledged POWs were returned to the United States., This victory came at a high cost. Six F-111As were among the many aircraft lost due to enemy fire over North Vietnam during Operation Linebacker II/Constant Guard V. Of the twelve aircrews shot down, two became POWs, themselves - CAPT Robert (Bob) Sponeybarger and 1st LT Bill Wilson. The other ten aircrew who did not survive were:, LT COL Ronald J. Ward , MAJ James R. McElvain , MAJ William Clare "Bill" Coltman , MAJ Robert M. Brown , CAPT Donald Dean Stafford , CAPT Charles Joseph Caffarelli , CAPT Robert D. Morrissey , CAPT James A. Hockridge , 1st LT Robert Arthur "Lefty" Brett, Jr. , 1st LT Allen U. Graham, The aircraft you see here serves as a memorial to these ten men who sacrificed their lives so that their comrades could finally return home to their families. It also serves as a reminder to all who view it that "freedom is not free," but is paid for by the sacrifices of our service men and women who willingly stand between us and those who would do us harm., CAPT Don Holley , 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron , Washington County Veterans Association , The F-111A on display is actually F-111A, Serial No. 67-012, but painted and marked to depict F-111A, Serial No.67-068, assigned to the 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Takhli RTAFB during Linebacker II operations in 1972-73. This F-111A, Serial No. 67-012 is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Photo by TSGT Jose Lopez . This historical marker was erected in 2018 by Washington County Veterans Association. It is in Brenham in Washington County Texas