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By this time in 1972, the war in Vietnam had been going on for over ten years. Tens of thousands had been killed, even more wounded and a few thousand POWs and unaccounted for MIAs.
Looking back on this time of year, specifically December 18, 1972, most of us know where we were. Most of you younger troops were not yet the twinkle in your Daddy’s eyes.
For me, I was on my second remote/isolated tour in Southeast Asia. In March of 1971, I was assigned to the 307th FMS (Field Maintenance Squadron) Aero Repair or A/R shop at U-Tapao AB, Thailand. We carried the same AFSC or MOS if you will as those who were the primary crew chief on the heavy jets. Those being the C-141A, C-5A, KC-135 and variants and the Queen of the Air, the Mighty B-52. I mention this because the A/R shop caught all the jobs that no one else wanted or would do. We all know sh*t runs downhill. Well, we were the bottom of the hill. But I digress.
During my year we worked 12/12/6 and 7, meaning 12 hours on, off 12 and 6 and often 7 days a week. It was hot, dirty, sweaty work but we did what we had to do. We did it in spite of many not wanting to be there. We launched planes about every 90 minutes around the clock 24/7/365 except when the head shed slowed things down or even ceased flying for the holidays.
After my year at U-Tapao I asked for and received a COT – consecutive overseas tour. This time headed for Vietnam. In March 1972, I headed for DaNang. My tour there was to be short-lived. In September, my unit closed up shop. Those with over 180 days in country on the close date would go home while the rest of us would be reassigned. I was one of the lucky ones, I got to stay…well sort of lucky. After about 60 days, in November 1972 I was selected to go TDY to of all places, Clark AB, Philippines. That story is fodder for another time.
After returning from Clark, I was like a new man. Even though working 12/12/5 I returned relaxed and rejuvenated. The guys in the squadron never let me live that down either. The morning of December 19th is what will always remain, The Morning After the Night Before. It wasn’t because the town got painted red or any such frivolity but we walked into the maintenance shack to discover that the entire B-52 fleet in both Thailand and Guam went downtown to pay “Chuck” a visit. At first we were in disbelief, thinking that Radio Lone Star was jerking our chains with some kind of holiday gag. It turned out to be true. We were ecstatic. All of us were now filled with a new sense of resolve and purpose. This was the beginning of Operation Linebacker II.
While those of us in Vietnam were cheering, our brothers in Thailand and Guam were busting some serious hump. The next 11 days would prove to be a turning point in the war on so many levels.
First off, we lost more B-52s in those 11 days of Christmas* than we had lost in the entire war. We lost many good men on those missions. We had many more end up in the hands of “Chuck” and his accommodations at the Hanoi Hilton. Then after 11 days the deluge of BUFFS stopped. We shut down for Christmas. It wasn’t until years later we learned that had we just kept up the bombing for 2 more days, the North would have surrendered. We all know now how that turned out.
I have a number of friends who were aircrew participants in Linebacker II. I have the greatest admiration and respect for what they did in spite of the head shed screwing the pooch.
Never will I forget where I was in 1972 during “The Eleven Days of Christmas.” With that, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
* ‘The Eleven Days of Christmas’ is a book written by Marshall Michel
Looking back on this time of year, specifically December 18, 1972, most of us know where we were. Most of you younger troops were not yet the twinkle in your Daddy’s eyes.
For me, I was on my second remote/isolated tour in Southeast Asia. In March of 1971, I was assigned to the 307th FMS (Field Maintenance Squadron) Aero Repair or A/R shop at U-Tapao AB, Thailand. We carried the same AFSC or MOS if you will as those who were the primary crew chief on the heavy jets. Those being the C-141A, C-5A, KC-135 and variants and the Queen of the Air, the Mighty B-52. I mention this because the A/R shop caught all the jobs that no one else wanted or would do. We all know sh*t runs downhill. Well, we were the bottom of the hill. But I digress.
During my year we worked 12/12/6 and 7, meaning 12 hours on, off 12 and 6 and often 7 days a week. It was hot, dirty, sweaty work but we did what we had to do. We did it in spite of many not wanting to be there. We launched planes about every 90 minutes around the clock 24/7/365 except when the head shed slowed things down or even ceased flying for the holidays.
After my year at U-Tapao I asked for and received a COT – consecutive overseas tour. This time headed for Vietnam. In March 1972, I headed for DaNang. My tour there was to be short-lived. In September, my unit closed up shop. Those with over 180 days in country on the close date would go home while the rest of us would be reassigned. I was one of the lucky ones, I got to stay…well sort of lucky. After about 60 days, in November 1972 I was selected to go TDY to of all places, Clark AB, Philippines. That story is fodder for another time.
After returning from Clark, I was like a new man. Even though working 12/12/5 I returned relaxed and rejuvenated. The guys in the squadron never let me live that down either. The morning of December 19th is what will always remain, The Morning After the Night Before. It wasn’t because the town got painted red or any such frivolity but we walked into the maintenance shack to discover that the entire B-52 fleet in both Thailand and Guam went downtown to pay “Chuck” a visit. At first we were in disbelief, thinking that Radio Lone Star was jerking our chains with some kind of holiday gag. It turned out to be true. We were ecstatic. All of us were now filled with a new sense of resolve and purpose. This was the beginning of Operation Linebacker II.
While those of us in Vietnam were cheering, our brothers in Thailand and Guam were busting some serious hump. The next 11 days would prove to be a turning point in the war on so many levels.
First off, we lost more B-52s in those 11 days of Christmas* than we had lost in the entire war. We lost many good men on those missions. We had many more end up in the hands of “Chuck” and his accommodations at the Hanoi Hilton. Then after 11 days the deluge of BUFFS stopped. We shut down for Christmas. It wasn’t until years later we learned that had we just kept up the bombing for 2 more days, the North would have surrendered. We all know now how that turned out.
I have a number of friends who were aircrew participants in Linebacker II. I have the greatest admiration and respect for what they did in spite of the head shed screwing the pooch.
Never will I forget where I was in 1972 during “The Eleven Days of Christmas.” With that, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
* ‘The Eleven Days of Christmas’ is a book written by Marshall Michel
Command Post
Vietnam War
JBSA - Joint Base San Antonio
Military History
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 270
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I was in an underground bunker during the war. Doing encryption work, working with Generals, bombing North Vietnam, following and tracking Ferry Missions and taking calls from a few crazies.
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Was at Minot AFB, ND watching the B-52H models constantly taking off and landing. Aircraft on the “Christmas Tree” (SAC alert crews know what that is) were also occasionally starting their engines. The KC-135 tankers were rotating in and out of SEA and the F-106s from the 5th FIS Spittin’ Kittens would light their burners and head north over Canada. Those of us in the missile maintenance business were chasing “green time” for the ICBM fleet. Most of us knew folks in the 5th Bomb Wing and were fully aware of what a lot of them were doing. Not only were things pretty hot in SEA but it seems Mr. Brezhnev was doing some pretty provocative things with his subs and mobile launchers. Rooskies are such a buzz kill.
I specifically remember Christmas week in 1972 because it was exceptionally cold. My 2-man team had dispatched to Delta 01 to change a motor generator in the launch control center. Not including prep and travel, this is an eight hour job for four troops. With the temp at -20 to -25 with moderate snow and winds gusting over 30 mph it took two of us almost 48 hours to get the thing changed, checked out and started up. There were only two of us on this job simply because our shop ran out of people. Most leaves were cancelled and everyone was either working or on crew rest. Ah, the good times.
I specifically remember Christmas week in 1972 because it was exceptionally cold. My 2-man team had dispatched to Delta 01 to change a motor generator in the launch control center. Not including prep and travel, this is an eight hour job for four troops. With the temp at -20 to -25 with moderate snow and winds gusting over 30 mph it took two of us almost 48 hours to get the thing changed, checked out and started up. There were only two of us on this job simply because our shop ran out of people. Most leaves were cancelled and everyone was either working or on crew rest. Ah, the good times.
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Detective at Lower Merion Police Dept. The war and the Army were behind me
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CWO3 Dennis M.
SSG Edward Tilton I served 1966-1990, but I too went into law enforcement after the military in 1990 and served as a LEO for 18 years retiring as the High Sheriff no less! Thanks for your service in both Ed.
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I was twelve years old, watching the war on television and Walter Cronkite.
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I was a a sophomore in high school in a suburb outside West Philadelphia. That year in the summer of 1972, I had torsion of the testicle with emergency surgery. I lost my right testicle and had a surgical implant which my body rejected - painfully tear a hole in my scrotum SSgt Jim Gilmore
I enlisted on active duty at Philadelphia MEPS on the morning of November 11, 1974 after taking the SEPTA El [elevated train] to the area. I had entered the delayed entry program on October 23, 1974. After filing in the paperwork, I left for Philadelphia Airport with some other enlistees. In slow motion, I watched as my travel voucher ticket fell into an escalator and was shredded. That required getting a replacement :-)
Images:
1. testicular torsion or twisted testicles
2. Testicular torsion SAGES image
3. torsion results when the testis rotates on its long axis.
4. Abnormal testicular fixation leading to torsion - Merck Manuals
5. What causes Testicular torsion?
FYI SSgt David M. SFC John DavisSGM Bill Frazer
HA (Join to see) Maj Joan MarineCMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw PO3 Edward Riddle SSG Mark LawlessSFC Greg Witte
1LT Larry Bass MAJ Byron Oyler SSG Robert Pratt SSG Jeffrey Leake SSG (Join to see) SPC Robert Coventry Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. SMSgt Lawrence McCarter 1SG James Matthews MSgt Gloria Vance
I enlisted on active duty at Philadelphia MEPS on the morning of November 11, 1974 after taking the SEPTA El [elevated train] to the area. I had entered the delayed entry program on October 23, 1974. After filing in the paperwork, I left for Philadelphia Airport with some other enlistees. In slow motion, I watched as my travel voucher ticket fell into an escalator and was shredded. That required getting a replacement :-)
Images:
1. testicular torsion or twisted testicles
2. Testicular torsion SAGES image
3. torsion results when the testis rotates on its long axis.
4. Abnormal testicular fixation leading to torsion - Merck Manuals
5. What causes Testicular torsion?
FYI SSgt David M. SFC John DavisSGM Bill Frazer
HA (Join to see) Maj Joan MarineCMDCM John F. "Doc" Bradshaw PO3 Edward Riddle SSG Mark LawlessSFC Greg Witte
1LT Larry Bass MAJ Byron Oyler SSG Robert Pratt SSG Jeffrey Leake SSG (Join to see) SPC Robert Coventry Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. SMSgt Lawrence McCarter 1SG James Matthews MSgt Gloria Vance
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SGM Bill Frazer
I had been in the Army for a year, delayed entry- had been in the 325 A.I.R, 82nd for 7 months.
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I was born in 67. This would put me in grade school. Even then at the young age i already knew i would serve my country in the armed service. I became the first in my family to enter the air force, and the first in family history to make it to the ranks of NCO.
Throughout my career, i always reflected on the honor it was to serve just as those before me and held, and still hold, a reverence for those whose check was cashed.
Throughout my career, i always reflected on the honor it was to serve just as those before me and held, and still hold, a reverence for those whose check was cashed.
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SGT Carl Blas
I agree also for those who served, and show my deepest respect. My grandfather was a veteran of WWI, and father was a veteran of WWII, both retired from the navy. Older brother was a veteran of Vietnam 101st. ABN Div., and brother In law was a veteran and retired Air Force in Vietnam. As of you, I was very proud to serve, and in the army with the 82nd. Airborne Division. Salute!
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I was at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM. I worked in the telephone central office.
1960th Comm Sq.
1960th Comm Sq.
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I too was in Vietnam during the 1972 Christmas bombing campaign. I was attached to Tan Son Nhut Air Base Base in Saigon.
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SSgt Mose Carter
That was my second tour also. I was at Tuy Hoa Air Base October '69-'70. I crewed F-100 Super Sabres. At Tan Son Nhut March '72-'73 I was a Flight Mechanic Crew Chief on the T-39 Sabreliner. We flew official business courier service for MACV Headquarters and on VIP missions took the generals any where they to be. Excellent duty,always on your P's and Q's.
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SGT Stephen Jaffe
I was at Tan Son Nhut with the 509th Radio Research group from Nov. 1967 through October 1968. Our compound was next to where President Thieu (SVN) kept his plane. I think he had a four engine DC6.
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