Lackland Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Technical Sgt. Fred L. Clarke Staff Sgt. Salluel F. Walker Jr.
C-123 ...an enlisted story.
Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024
1. Technical Sgt. Fred L. Clarke Staff Sgt. Salluel F. Walker Jr. Marker
Inscription.
Technical Sgt. Fred L. Clarke . Staff Sgt. Salluel F. Walker Jr.. C-123 ...an enlisted story.. The skies over southeastern Laos were far from friendly and often crowded, this was especially true the morning of Dec. 13, 1968. Sergeants Clark and Walker were loadmasters aboard "Candlestick 44," a venerable C-123K provider which launched out of Nakhon Phanom AB, Thailand. The crew was flying a forward air control mission over the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail. Their task was to cruise at minimal altitude, 2,000 to 3,000 feet, spot enemy traffic with their infrared detection device, then light the activity with flares so accompanying RB-57B tactical bombers could drop their deadly loads on target, but when two aircraft tried to occupy the same piece of sky, disaster struck. An accompanying B-57 hit the top of the FAC and both aircraft crashed killing all on board except the Provider pilot who managed to bail out and was later rescued. Clarke and Walker were listed as missing in action and were ultimately promoted to Chief Master Sergeant. On May 28, 1974, their status was changed to Killed in Action.
The skies over southeastern Laos were far from friendly and often crowded, this was especially true the morning of Dec. 13, 1968. Sergeants Clark and Walker were loadmasters aboard "Candlestick 44," a venerable C-123K provider which launched out of Nakhon Phanom AB, Thailand. The crew was flying a forward air control mission over the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail. Their task was to cruise at minimal altitude, 2,000 to 3,000 feet, spot enemy traffic with their infrared detection device, then light the activity with flares so accompanying RB-57B tactical bombers could drop their deadly loads on target, but when two aircraft tried to occupy the same piece of sky, disaster struck. An accompanying B-57 hit the top of the FAC and both aircraft crashed killing all on board except the Provider pilot who managed to bail out and was later rescued. Clarke and Walker were listed as missing in action and were ultimately promoted to Chief Master Sergeant. On May 28, 1974, their status was changed to Killed in Action.
Erected by USAF Heritage Program Collection.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space
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• War, Vietnam. A significant historical date for this entry is December 13, 1968.
Location. 29° 23.584′ N, 98° 37.125′ 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 Museums 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.
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 museums 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 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024
3. C-123K "Provider"
Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 132 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
