Posted on 08/01/2015 8:47:52 PM PDT by Crystal Palace East
Through an acquaintance, I learned about a Vietnamese television show, "The Separation Never Seems to Have Existed," which reunites people who have lost touch. When the producer heard of my quest, she asked me, via e-mail, to write a letter stating my intentions and the circumstances surrounding the dogfight. Within two weeks she had found the MiG pilot, and invited me to Vietnam to appear on television with him.
On April 5, 2008, on live television, my heart pounded as Nguyen Hong My—the man I had last seen in a black flightsuit, swinging under a red and white canopy—walked onto the set. He greeted me with a firm handshake and words of welcome, and expressed his desire for us to become friends. We sat down at a table with the producer, Thu Uyen. The interview began with our histories and pictures of our families. I teared up when I saw photos of our children and grandchildren on the monitor, and so did Hong My—two tough old fighter pilots weeping on national television.
(Excerpt) Read more at airspacemag.com ...
Author Dan Cherry is retired AF Major General, and the real deal.
Was in Saigon 4 years ago. No one calls it Ho Chi Minh City except "officially" All there call it HCMC or Saigon. Airport code is even still SGN.
Free economy is very robust there. Locals love to interact with Mellicans. Hanoi a bit more "strict," but Saigon is like NYC, only cleaner and less crime.
Vet ping.
Vet ping.
Brings to mind the book “A Higher Call”, about two WWII pilots, one an American and one a German.
Love your picture of COL Olds.
Steve Ritche, the only official USAF ace in SEA, says Olds really got 6 MiGs, rather than the 4 he claimed, because Olds knew that on becoming an “ace”, he would be relieved of Wing command rotated stateside, so as not to be a psywar coup for NVN if shot down later.
Great Guy.
In the ‘50s, so the story goes, a BOAC captain was having some trouble with Ground Control in Hamburg, Germany.
Finally, the pompous German ground controller screamed into the ground control radio “Speedbird (the BOAC radio call) 3 1 7 !!!! Haven’t you ever been to Hamburg before!!!!!”
It was very quiet on the frequency for a few moments, then this clipped, “veddy upper class” reply from the BOAC captain (an old Bomber Command “chap”).
“Hamburg Ground.... this is Speedbird 3 1 7. Actually, old boy, I’ve been here only a few times... during the War. Never landed. Just dropped a few things off....”
You said it. Daughter and I were there in 2000 and it was a wide open free enterprise zone then.
Went back to the Ben Thanh market. Swear some of the old shopkeepers were still there.
Asked what happened when NVA invaded Saigon, they said “Business slow for 3 weeks... then pick up!”
Got an incredible “Blightling” watch, official Hero Pilot size. $40.
We went to Saigon, then flew Vietnam Airlines (A-320, British Captain) to Danang which was near my old base camp (Hill 29, 1/1 Cavalry, Americal Division). Spent 7 days in and around. Bittersweet. Some scary, some wonderful moments. The people love Americans.
Flew in a VA F-27 turboprop to Hanoi. Modern but darker. But for the hawkers, people couldn’t care less for Americans. Saw an old guy though with ribbons on his suit. Former NVA. Wonderful, if momentary meeting of minds. Bought some souvenirs. Flew VA A-320 to Hong Kong, then Cathay Pacific back home. Great airline.
BTW, “Welcome Home.”
Dunno about physically visiting it though.
We were on 320s too. American Captain one leg, Brit another. Good rides. Same fighter A/C revetments at SGN that were here 50 years ago.
Did you see the pretty airshow painted MiG-21 at Da Nang or the old A-37 in front of some military museum?
Talked to the American. Said he loves working there. Had been furloughed by AA, but didn’t go back when recalled. Good money. Very cheap to live there. Good respect.
2 weeks on , 2 off, goes to Hainan Island on pass, hangs out with Russian girls in their hotel rooms.
Russian girls all think he is the ticket to “The Big Px.”
Says life is hell.
PS, welcome home!
You wouldn’t be sorry, particularly if you can go with family.
There is a lesson here. After you die you control nothing.
Took my wife over there in 2000 too - It was really emotional for me at first and then everything settled down. It was great to go back to all those places I’d been and to show my missus what it was like. The South still likes us and it was a great experience.
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