You are right. In 1962-67 my father was stationed at FT. Monroe, VA. Our house was near the back gate to Langley, AFB. Most of our neighbors were Air Force pilots or field grade Army officers. In 62-3 my father went to RVN the 1st time. In 66 I went into the Army. A neighbor 3 houses away was married to an AF pilot who was shot down and captured in 63- 4.
This lady had no kids, but; she was a total wreck from worrying. She did drink from worry. I wonder about her as that has got to be living hell. I would not want to worry about my wife like that.
Those were hard times. I had childhood friends with a pilot dad MIA. That is sacrifice. To this day those kids don’t know what the hell happened to their dad.