Lackland Air Force Base in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Chief Master Sgt. William O. Petrie
AC-119 ...an enlisted story.
Photographed by James Hulse, August 16, 2024
1. Chief Master Sgt. William O. Petrie Marker
Inscription.
Chief Master Sgt. William O. Petrie. AC-119 ...an enlisted story.. During the war in Southeast Asia, the Air Force gave the venerable C-119 "Flying Boxcar" a new lease on life as the Stinger gunship. Sergeant Petrie was an illuminator operator aboard a Stinger the evening of Feb. 28, 1971, looking for trucks near Hill 31 in southern Laos when they came upon eight Soviet PT-76 amphibious tanks. The enemy armor seemed intent on ambushing an approaching Allied convoy. A forward air controller buzzed the treetops and verified the identity of the Stinger's find. Within moments Sergeant Petrie turned night into day with a constant series of flares, and the AC-119K opened up with its two 20 MM cannons and four 7.62 MM miniguns. With the aid of it's infrared sensor, the Stinger took out the first and last tank in the line and picked off the remaining six in subsequent passes. According to Petrie, who later retired as a Chief Master Sergeant, it was the first time any gunship had destroyed enemy tanks.
During the war in Southeast Asia, the Air Force gave the venerable C-119 "Flying Boxcar" a new lease on life as the Stinger gunship. Sergeant Petrie was an illuminator operator aboard a Stinger the evening of Feb. 28, 1971, looking for trucks near Hill 31 in southern Laos when they came upon eight Soviet PT-76 amphibious tanks. The enemy armor seemed intent on ambushing an approaching Allied convoy. A forward air controller buzzed the treetops and verified the identity of the Stinger's find. Within moments Sergeant Petrie turned night into day with a constant series of flares, and the AC-119K opened up with its two 20 MM cannons and four 7.62 MM miniguns. With the aid of it's infrared sensor, the Stinger took out the first and last tank in the line and picked off the remaining six in subsequent passes. According to Petrie, who later retired as a Chief Master Sergeant, it was the first time any gunship had destroyed enemy tanks.
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 February 28, 1971.
Location. 29° 23.556′ N,
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98° 37.114′ 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.
Another marker is no longer nearby. C-121 "Constellation" (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
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 . . . 1. Airmen Heritage Training Complex. USAF Airman Heritage Museum (Submitted on August 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
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 222 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
