Compensation

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Video of Helicopter being lifted from the deck of USS Jouett

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Additional footage on clip shows destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin.

LT(jg) Clyde Lassen, LT(jg) Leroy Cook, Aviation Machinists Mate Third Class Don West and Aviation Electrician Second Class Bruce Dallas. (Photo National Museum of Naval Aviation)

The helicopter in this video is removing the badly damaged remains of Lt. Clyde E. Lassen's helicopter. Lt. Lassen earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism. Pictured is LCDR John Holtzclaw, rescued by Lt. Lassen. (Photo National Museum of Naval Aviation) Story Below.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as pilot and aircraft commander of a search and rescue helicopter, attached to Helicopter Support Squadron 7, during operations against enemy forces in North Vietnam. Launched shortly after midnight to attempt the rescue of 2 downed aviators, Lt. (then Lt. (J.G.)) Lassen skillfully piloted his aircraft over unknown and hostile terrain to a steep, tree-covered hill on which the survivors had been located. Although enemy fire was being directed at the helicopter, he initially landed in a clear area near the base of the hill, but, due to the dense undergrowth, the survivors could not reach the helicopter. With the aid of flare illumination, Lt. Lassen successfully accomplished a hover between 2 trees at the survivors' position Illumination was abruptly lost as the last of the flares were expended, and the helicopter collided with a tree, commencing a sharp descent. Expertly righting his aircraft and maneuvering clear, Lt. Lassen remained in the area, determined to make another rescue attempt, and encouraged the downed aviators while awaiting resumption of flare illumination. After another unsuccessful, illuminated rescue attempt, and with his fuel dangerously low and his aircraft significantly damaged, he launched again and commenced another approach in the face of the continuing enemy opposition. When flare illumination was again lost, Lt. Lassen, fully aware of the dangers in clearly revealing his position to the enemy, turned on his landing lights and completed the landing. On this attempt, the survivors were able to make their way to the helicopter. En route to the coast he encountered and successfully evaded additional hostile antiaircraft fire and, with fuel for only 5 minutes of flight remaining, landed safely aboard U.S.S. Jouett (DLG-29) . Back to Top

Ride Along in an EA-1"Q" Skyraider

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Ride Along in an EA-1"Q" version. Taking off from the USS America, CVA-66, during Caribbean exercises in the spring of 1966. The A-1, ECM detection and counter measures [Queen model], was one of the last models of the A-1 in the inventory of the United States Navy or Air Force. Most of the A-1's had been sent to Vietnam for use in that conflict either by the Vietnamese themselves of by our Navy and Airforce flying ground support missions. Electronic detection aircraft were flown by the Navy and Airforce, primarily EB-57 depicted in such movies as "BAT-21" starring Gene Hackman. The Navy had the EA3 flown by VQ-1 out of Atsugi, Japan and detached to carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin. Some of these aircraft are shown in my videos on the America. The A-3 is a twin engine jet with the engines mounted on pods on the wings and which weighs 70,000 pounds, give or take a few thousand. There is also an RA-5C shown in the video, which was being used for reconnaissance missions after it's nuclear delivery role was curtailed. The A-5 was popularly depicted in the Buzz Sawyer cartoons during the Vietnam era by Roy Crane until his death in 1977. The RA-5C "Vigilante" is one of the most modern aircraft designs and the Navy required, because of its cost and sophistication, that it be flown by more senior officers. Lt. Commanders [Army/USAF Major equivalent in rank] if my recollection serves me.

My first recollection of landing on a carrier in the A-1 was the landing speed of about 90 knots made somewhat tense by a 30 knot wind and a ship's speed of around 25 knots. Our ground speed approaching the "boat" was less than the speed of a car on a highway. I was worried that we might not catch the boat!

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Bob Windholz on the USS Jouett's 3 Inch Gun Turrett

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The DLG's had one 3" gun, one 5" gun and a full complement of state-of-the-art missiles. The photos and super 8 movies were made for my wife and family to ensure that I was alright and to share in my experience. Most servicemen in the gulf were not at risk to the same degree as the fliers at "Yankee Station" [carrier location in the Gulf of Tonkin] or the grunts [Marine/Navy/Army ground troops and special forces] in-country [Vietnam]. The Vietnam experience was tragic for the Vietnamese, our country, our service people and especially for those who did not make it back and their families. The Vietnam War search engine is a fantastic resource for finding our fallen comrades by hometown, branch of service and other database locators.

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Video from 1967 Featuring the US Navy Blue Angels Flying the F11

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This super 8 was taken during 1967 at Andrews Airforce Base in Washington, DC. At the time I was assigned to the DLIEC [Defense Language Institute East Coast] at Anacostia. At BNAO [later NFO/Naval Flight Officer] school in Pensacola the Angels shared a hanger with the school. Pensacola is their home base and we got to see them practice when they weren't performing around the world. They are a fantastic group and from what I remember great guys.

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A Look Around the Flight Deck of The USS America Featuring a F-4 Phantom Flyby

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More flight operation footage from the USS America. Because of the varied content, we will attempt to show the contents by time into the video. At :55 an EA1-Q is shown. The white pods are where chaff - silvery material jettisoned to confuse enemy radars - is stored. F-4's on the flight deck are shown at :20. At :35 you can see rescue helicopters [angels]. The angels take off to monitor each launch and recovery for flight operations. The carrier catapults are steam operated and the odds of an error are slight [cold cat shot] but do happen. The bow [front] cat shots are the most dangerous because of the risk of the ship going over the plane after the errant cat shot. AT 1:05 is a shot of an RA-5C [Vigilante]. There are one or two Vigilante shots of both launches and recoveries on other videos. From 1:31 until the end of the video there are F-4 [Phantom] landings, one wave-off and at 2:13 an EA-3 recovery.

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E-2B Hawkeye Launch, FlyBy and Recovery

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The US Navy had on on-board AWACS plane. It was called the E-2. The strange looking dome on top of the plane is a very powerful radar that allowed the carrier task force to monitor all military activity at sea for around 250 miles. Inside the plane's fuselage a moderately sized crew monitors all airborne, surface and [from other sources] sub-surface activity. It used computer technology circa 1965. I can only guess how sophisticated these aircraft are now.

During carrier operations, to simulate war conditions, the carrier went to EMCON [emissions control]: Meaning all the electrical emitting devices were turned off. Any flight crew on air ops could not use the normal navigational aids to find the carrier. The carrier pilots used a mechanical nav board upon which they would plot the carrier's course [as given in pre-flight] and the NFO would plot the course of the aircraft to the allotted time of the hop [flight]. If the carrier maintained the announced course and the NFO didn't foul up the plot, you got back to the carrier for a recovery. If not a crew could be in the deep stuff. One day we did a double cycle [four hours] and we were set to recover after dark. We were the only plane that landed and until we found out why, we were a bit unnerved. It seems the last launch was canceled due to a mishap. Very strange feeling coming back to fully lit deck and being the only plane landing.

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Air Operations Featuring A-4 Skyhawk, SH-2 Sea Sprite and RA-5C Recovery

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Carrier recoveries: A-4 Skyhawk landing at start of video. Another A-4 recovery at :43 and 1:08. Finally an RA-5C recovering at 1:30.Aircraft crew and equipment work as a well-rehearsed, carefully choreographed team. The various functions of the flight deck crew are identified by the colors they wear: yellow for deck officers, catapult officer and aircraft directors; purple for fuel handlers; green for catapult and arresting gear crews; blue for chock chain runners; red for crash and salvage teams and ordnance personnel.

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Launching Aircraft from the America - Up Close and Personal

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Launches of the E-2 at :25; An A-1 at :30 and a bomb loaded F-4 at :37. These videos were shot from the port catwalk off the bow catapult. I wore the mickey mouse ears used by flight deck crew and fear what might have happened if the "air boss" or "old man" got p.o.'d.

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Firing of Missile from the USS Jouett

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The USS Jouett had "Terrier" missiles, which were state of the art in Vietnam for at shipboard SAM's [surface to air missiles]. On one occasion we were close to the North Vietnam coast during bombing raids on Vinh. After March 1968, President Johnson put all of North Vietnam above 20 degrees North Latitude off limits for bombing missions. The Navy was confined to missions south of this no bomb latitude. A lead Navy target was Vinh. Vinh was an assembly point for funneling arms south to the war below the DMZ. The North Vietnamese air force used an airfield called Bai Thong for marshalling Mig-21's for interdiction of our planes on bombing missions near Vinh. Late in the afternoon, when missions were being conducted against Vinh, the Migs would fly to the west and engage our aircraft when the setting sun was behind the Migs. One afternoon an F-4 flying CAP [combat air patrol] engaged a Mig-21. The command came from the commander at "Yankee Station" [carrier location in Gulf of Tonkin] to "take the Mig with the F-4. Our DLG had missiles on the rail with the Mig closing on our ship. The probability of a shoot down of the Mig by our ship's Terriers was around 96% [if my memory is correct]. Ultimately the F-4 engaged the Mig and the Mig won the day by shooting down the F-4. My own feeling after that experience was one of sadness for the downed crew and anger for the arrogance shown by the commander at "Yankee Station". Two fliers were lost or captured when our missiles could have done the job without risking two airmen. In fairness to the Yankee Station commander, I never heard their side of the story but would love to hear that explanation some day. The F-4 crew would have probably preferred to engage the Mig, just like they did, knowing the risks. Our guys were gutsy and aggressive. Maybe that's why Top Gun school was established in 1969. Alternate Link

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A Great Video of Air Operations From Inside the Cockpit of an EA-1 Skyraider.

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Video of Air Operations From Inside the Cockpit of an EA-1 Skyraider/ECM/Radar Jamming/Chaff bird
Navy carriers, not engaged in actual combat operations, constantly practice and rehearse for war. The USS America [CVA-66] was in the Caribbean near Puerto Rico for fleet operations/exercises. The bombs on the F-4's and A-4's were intended for Viegas Island, Puerto Rico. Check out marine Gunny Mac's page. Viegas made political headlines during successful efforts by local people to stop using Viegas for a bombing range by the US Navy. The super 8 movie camera was purchased by me on this cruise for about $60.00. It is not claimed that these videos are of professional quality but they do bring back memories. Commence Navy Air Operations:

Let's start with an F-4 cat shot. At :25 check out a bird from VAW-33's detachment. No. 810 is now on permanent display at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. Check out the photo below on this page taken by a prominent local Judge. At :53 an A-4 gets a cat shot. Senator John McCain was shot down over Vietnam in this type plane. It was a mainstay in the Israeli Air Force in the 1967 Mideast War. At 1:12 an RA-5C, the most graceful plane in the Navy gets a kick in the butt. Notice the red from the after-burners kicking in. All navy jets take off at max power or military power [1:37]. At 1:55 old number 810 gets ready for its launch. BOLTER, BOLTER, BOLTER. See a hot shot in an F-4 miss the arresting wire at 2:45. The graceful A-1 recovers at 3:00. Launch time again. F-4, carrying a bomb load gets the catapult at 3:15 from the waist catapult. At 3:25 an RA-5C takes its turn to launch. Inside the cockpit of our A-1 skyraider at 3:38 with an A-3 preparing for the first launch off the bow cats first sun out. At 4:00 the angels [rescue chopper] get off the deck. At 4:08 the A-3, all 70,000 pounds gets a shot off the deck. 4:25, its the A-1's turn. At 4:48 we get a shot of "Pilot Mac", who I haven't seen in almost 40 years. Mac was a very serious guy and great pilot. An NFO [Flight Officer] could trust Mac. I hope he's well. Mac was an Academy grad. There was always a Russian trawler near a carrier. They never got a free ride trying to do their thing at 4:58. From 5:15 until the video ends, the recovery on the America from inside the cockpit. Notice the MLS [Mirror Landing System] on the left side of the deck at 5:58.

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EA-1 Skyraider from VAW-33 autographed by Senator John McCain

Senator John McCain was very gracious in signing this photo. Senator McCain flew the attack version of the A-1 on his operational tour before flying the A-4, in which he was shot down by North Vietnamese SAMS.

The A-1, called the straight six or Spad, was a workhorse in The Korean War. It could about carry its own weight in armament [20,000 lbs.]. It had a powerful engine [Wright R-3350-26W] with incredible right torque on takeoff. I recall our pilots extending their entire left foot to the rudder pedal on takeoff just to counter the torque. The plane was brought to the fleet after WWII. It could stay aloft for long periods and carried enough ordinance to make it very popular with the ground troops. Napalm is a great equalizer. The attack A-1 is seen in the "Bridges of Toko-Ri", starring William Holden and the Vietnam era movie, "Flight of the Crusader".

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EA-1F Skyraider Located at The National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida

VAW-33's aircraft ID 810 as seen in the carrier videos is on permanent display at the museum. Just a coincidence. This photo was taken by a dear friend who gave it to me and who came to VAW-33 a few months after I transferred to language school in 1967. He is an attorney in Atlanta.

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USS Jouett (DLG-29)

United States Navy Belknap Class Cruiser. More Information.

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North American T-2C Buckeye

The first jet I ever flew in was the flight to Pensacola on July 15, 1964. It was a commerical flight from Newark to Atlanta [my guess] and then a flight to Florida. This was my first commercial flight. Our children have more flights than this on jets before they reach one or two years of age. The flight syllabus at NAO school included the EXPEDITOR (C-45/RC-45J) (See below) and the Buckeye T-2B. We called the C-45 the "bugsmasher" and it was generally called by that name. It was a rough ride and for a pre-WWII plane you could understand why. It was used as a navigational trainer. We had about 3-4 students and one instructor per flight. All the flight instructors fought to fly the T-2. The old prop jocks just wanted to "dogfight" and the jet jocks were bored. It was too slow. For us it was great. It had dual sets of controls and if we were lucky we got some stick time. In order to fly in the T-2 you had to qualify for the OMIAS card. To get the OMIAS card it was necessary to qualify in the ejection seat trainer and the high altitude pressure chamber. Once you did these tests you were ready. The T-2 was used by cadets/students who qualified for the jet program after T-34's. The best students got the jets. The prop guys went to Whiting field and learned to fly T-28's.

The rumor in 1964-1965 at Pensacola was that the CIA was recruiting T-28 qualified pilots to enter into mercenary contracts to fly for two years as civilians in some civil war in Africa. Again, this was a rumor to us. The material quoted below may or may not corroborate those rumors.

"The counterinsurgency campaign was a joint operation between the United States and Belgium, and on much the same terms as the previous collaboration in Katanga. President Johnson's Secretary of State Dean Rusk approved a 7 August 1964 policy paper requiring an "immediate effort . . with Belgians to help Tshombe raise gendarme-mercenary force along with bolstering whatever force there is to hold present strong points and to start rebel roll back." Already in progress, however, was a CIA/Defense Department program to provide the Congolese with what the New York Times later dubbed "an instant air force." Early in 1964, the CIA had begun providing Cuban exile pilots through a Miami proprietary (Caribbean Marine Aero Corporation)"to fly armed Italian T6 training planes against 'Muleist' insurgents in the western Kwilu Province"; and by April the Defense Department had agreed to provide six T-28 fighters, ten C-47 transports, six H-21 heavyduty helicopters, spare parts, 100 technicians, as well as "several" counterinsurgency advisers!".

Victor Marchetti's book is cited in footnotes. Marchetti has an interesting CIA history. I remember the rumors, you decide.

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Beech C-45 Kansan

We flew these at NAO school. "The Old Bugsmasher" and that's what we called them.

"NOW HEAR THIS"

Pre-flight cadet duty officer. Announcements came over the microphone. It was loud and went off early.

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