Forgotten Heroes of Vietnam's Rescue Missions
This opinion piece by a Wall Street Journal reader draws parallels between a recent daring rescue of a US officer in Iran and a harrowing experience from the Vietnam War in 1972. The author recounts how an F-4 Phantom crew, shot down over North Vietnam while returning from a successful mission, survived heavy antiaircraft fire, turbulence, and fuel loss. After ejecting into difficult terrain with steep slopes and dense vegetation, the crew evaded enemy patrols and dogs before being rescued by helicopters from the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. The article highlights these 'forgotten heroes' of the Vietnam era, noting that many of the pilots involved are still alive, and uses their story to reflect on the continuity of high-stakes military rescue operations.
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Forgotten Heroes of Vietnam's Rescue Missions
This opinion piece by a Wall Street Journal reader draws parallels between a recent daring rescue of a US officer in Iran and a harrowing experience from the Vietnam War in 1972. The author recounts how an F-4 Phantom crew, shot down over North Vietnam while returning from a successful mission, survived heavy antiaircraft fire, turbulence, and fuel loss. After ejecting into difficult terrain with steep slopes and dense vegetation, the crew evaded enemy patrols and dogs before being rescued by helicopters from the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron. The article highlights these 'forgotten heroes' of the Vietnam era, noting that many of the pilots involved are still alive, and uses their story to reflect on the continuity of high-stakes military rescue operations.
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