Posted on 09/18/2002 12:37:57 AM PDT by Snow Bunny
Edited on 09/18/2002 5:20:52 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
And for you guys from the 37th ARRS, DaNang SVN, here's an oldie but goodie from Bull Durham
Jolly Green, to the tune of "Abliene"
Jolly Green ... Jolly Green
It's all painted brown and green
Well the prettiest bird that I've ever seen is Jolly Green, My Jolly Green
Got shot down late last night
Flack and the missiles were hitting just right
Got on the horn with all my might and called Jolly Green, My Jolly Green
Jolly Green ... Jolly Green
It's all painted brown and green
Well the prettiest bird that I've ever seen is Jolly Green, My Jolly Green
I sit alone high in a tree
Afraid of Charlie as I can be,
Wish to the Lord that I could see that Jolly Green, My Jolly Green,
Sounds of rotors now I've heard,
Here comes that great big whirley bird
The PJ's cable now I've seen on Jolly Green, My Jolly Green
Jolly Green ... Jolly Green
It's all painted brown and green
Well the prettiest bird that I've ever seen is Jolly Green, My Jolly Green
"That Others May Live"
Motto of the USAF Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service
Duke809, Tsgt USAF
Crew Chief, Observer and Passenger, OV-10 68-03809
704th Tactical Air Support Squadron
"Cleared Hot and Hit My Smoke!"
This one's an "Atlas". The first one was "Thor" (technically an IRBM), the second was "Titan".
Sounds like a "drilling" experience to me! LOL!
| USAF Museum History Pre-WWII History  RATO Flying Tigers |
Pilot Officer
John G. Magee, Jr. |
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He came to the U.S. in 1939 and earned a scholarship to Yale, but in September 1940 he enlisted in the RCAF and was graduated as a pilot. He was sent to England for combat duty in July 1941. In August or September 1941, Pilot Officer Magee composed High Flight and sent a copy to his parents. Several months later, on December 11, 1941 his Spitfire collided with another plane over England and Magee, only 19 years of age, crashed to his death. His remains are buried in the churchyard cemetery at Scopwick, Lincolnshire. "High Flight" Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth John Gillespie Magee, Jr. |
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And here's one you can go look at:
On Nov. 9, 1967, the F-4 flown by 1st Lt. Lance P. Sijan of Milwaukee, Wisc., was hit by North Vietnamese ground fire and exploded. Although badly wounded he was able to parachute from his stricken plane. Even with no food and very little water he managed to avoid capture for 45 days. Because of a serious compound fracture of the left leg, he was unable to walk but did manage to pull himself backward through the jungle. Even with a broken leg, a skull fracture, and a mangled right hand he was able to escape shortly after his initial capture. Upon recapture he was taken to Vinh and thrown into a bamboo cell. He was 'interrogated' repeatedly, and in spite of his captors technique of twisting his damaged right hand he refused to disclose any information but his name. When not being 'interrogated' he attempted additional escapes with the only results being beatings.
Lt Sijan was soon moved to a POW camp at Hanoi. Even in his pitiful condition, he attempted more escapes all meeting with failure. His physical condition continued to weaken without proper food or medical attention and soon he developed additional respiratory problems. After many months of ill treatment, his health, but not his spirit, broke and one night he was dragged deliriously from his cell and never seen again.
Lt Sijan was promoted posthumously to Captain on June 13, 1968. On March 4, 1976 he was awarded posthumously the Medal of Honor which was presented to his parents by President Gerald Ford. Captain Sijan thus became the first graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy to receive our nations highest decoration for heroism above and beyond the call of duty.
When Lance Sijan was a cadet at the USAF Academy, one of his friends and fellow team mates on the junior varsity football team was Joe Ross. Later both would serve in Vietnam, both fly the same type of aircraft and both die in the service of their country within months of each other.
Joe Ross was sent to South Vietnam in June 1968 as an F-4 pilot. His brother, Steve was also stationed in Vietnam as an aircraft propeller mechanic. Through a twist of fate Steve was sent temporarily to Joe's base on a duty assignment. During that short period, the brothers spent their off-duty time reminiscing about home and family.
In the early morning of Aug. 1, 1968, Joe led an armed reconnaissance flight of two F-4D's near Ban Karai, North Vietnam. Spotting enemy trucks, the flight dropped flares and Joe's plane dove to attack. The crew of the second F-4D saw a large explosion on the ground and all attempts to contact Joe's F-4 by radio failed to get a response.
Several hours later, as Steve was preparing to board an airplane for return to his own base, he was approached by two USAF officers. It was their difficult task to tell Steve his brother was missing. Whether Capt. Ross died or had been captured and never reported as such, is unknown. But on Mar. 14, 1975, Capt. Ross's status was officially changed from missing-in-action to killed-in-action, although his real status will never be known.
I'm hosting a little soiree at my place this evening, but I will try to get on late if I'm not too exhausted.
Can someone do me a favor a freepmail me a list of our FRiends who have served or are serving in the USAF? That would help me A LOT! Thanks!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY USAF!!!!
Love, GG
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High Flight was composed by Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee, Jr., an American serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was born in Shanghai, China in 1922, the son of missionary parents, Reverend and Mrs. John Gillespie Magee; his father was an American and his mother was originally a British citizen.