VVnW recommended reading!
Crossfire
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Price: Approximately $18.50 USD
http://www.vietnam-crossfire.com
Not available until April 27th 2001
This book will only be available from:
Dymoks Online
Shopping
A Downed US Observation Aircraft
This aircraft was shot down by
soldiers of the VC- 274 Regiment on June 6, 1966. Their commander decided to lay an ambush around
the plane hoping the battalion would send out a search party. But no one knew where it went down.
Recce Platoon, who was operating to the front of A. Company, found the aircraft in January 1967. It was
invisible from 30 yards away and it was by chance that it was discovered. The pilot had been
killed on impact and the observer had been able to climb out and the small pile of empty cartridge cases
beside his skeleton testified that he had held the VC off until his ammunition had run
out. They had then shot him through the back of the head.
Footnote: Thanks to Brian Tate [email protected]
the identities of the two airmen have been revealed. Brian's thorough research at the US Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) has identified the two airmen as:
Major John Charles JACOBS, USAF, 30 years old, married, Caucasian, born 10/7/35 of Milhousen, Indiana, length of service 10 years, casualty on 7/6/66, died from hostile action while missing, pilot of a fixed wing aircraft which crashed on land. The body was recovered. Major Jacob's entry on the wall is on Panel |
Captain Charles Stephen FRANCO, USAF, 25 year old, single, Caucasian, born 12/6/40, ofNew York, New York, length of service 4 years, casualty on 7/6/66, died from hostile action while missing, crew of a fixed wing aircraft which crashed on land. The body was recovered. Captain Franco's entry on the wall is on Panel |
The Authors
PETER HARAN
ROBERT KEARNEY
A personal word from the authors: The Bulletin is interested in the story about the amazing fight that the U.S. Observer, Captain Franco, put up against Nam Hung and his 274 Regiment. They were heroes both of them, Franco just wouldn't surrender.
©2001 Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc.