Lackland Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Airman 1st Class Martin Jester • Airman 2nd Class Eugene Traczyk Jr.

RB-57 ...an enlisted story.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

1. Airman 1st Class Martin Jester • Airman 2nd Class Eugene Traczyk Jr. Marker

Inscription. On the evening of Nov. 1, 1964, most aircrews were bunked out in their "Hooches", their aircraft parked in neat rows on the ramps at Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam. Shortly after midnight, Viet Cong mortar shells began raining down. Airmen Jester and Traczyk, both Air Force firefighters, dodged bullets and exploding bombs in their attempt to reach a line of RB-57 bombers that seemed to be one of the primary targets. The bombers were fueled, armed and ready for their morning missions, a deadly recipe when sprinkled liberally with mortar rounds. The two airmen gathered firefighting crews and equipment and doused bombs the heat threatened to explode. Their success was marked by silence rather than a blast. At one point, the airmen began stripping off their clothing to plug fuel leaks that threatened to spread the conflagration. People and aircraft were dying. For their selfless actions, Airmen Traczyk and Jester earned the Silver Star for heroism.

Erected by USAF Heritage Program Collection.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Vietnam. A significant historical date for this entry is October 1, 1964.

Location. 29° 23.625′ N,

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98° 37.221′ W. Marker is in Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in Bexar County. It is on Bong Avenue south of Luke Blvd. The marker is located at the USAF Airman Heritage Museum’s Air Park which is around the parade grounds. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jbsa Lackland TX 78236, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Texas

and in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: B-57 "Canberra" (a few steps from this marker); F-100 "Super Sabre" (a few steps from this marker); Republic JF-105B "Thunderchief" (within shouting distance of this marker); B-52 "Stratofortress" (within shouting distance of this marker); Master Sgt. Samuel O. Turner (within shouting distance of this marker);

The Marker in front of a B-57 Canberra image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024

2. The Marker in front of a B-57 Canberra

P-63G "King Cobra" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); P-47N "Thunderbolt" (about 300 feet away); B-66 "Destroyer" (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lackland Air Force Base.

More about this marker. The marker, museum and air park are located on the Lackland Air Force Base, an active U.S. military installation which is a part of the Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA). The USAF Airman Heritage Museum and Air Park are open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access. Visit the museum’s web site for current details on visiting the museum and air park.

Also see . . . Airmen Heritage Training Complex. USAF Airman Heritage Museum (Submitted on August 24, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Additional commentary.
1. Traczk, Jesters
These two airmen were not on the flight line when we were attacked. The attack was a "zapper" crew of VC that lobbed mortars into the Army barracks and began sweeping toward the firemen's barracks, where I was sleeping. We thought we were going to be overrun. The firemen on duty had no weapons to defend ourselves

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with, so, trying to dodge friendly fire from the Army barracks that had been hit, we ran to the main Air Force barracks.

I woke up Airman Traczyk to tell him we were under attack. By then the enemy had retreated back into the jungle. He and Jester decided to go to the flight line to see what had happened. They did not dodge any small-arms fire or mortar fire, as the attack had ended after only about ten minutes.

Up at the barracks, there was no fire chief or noncommissioned officer to direct us to the flight line. It just so happened that these two airmen went to take a look at what happened. No heroism was involved, other than the commander ordering these two airmen to get in the fire truck and put out the fire.

— Submitted June 15, 2026.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 231 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 25, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.