Bear Taylor 
RIPPLE SALVO… #417… MISSING IN ACTION and not knowing, or, KILLED IN ACTION and knowing… but first…
Good Morning: Day FOUR HUNDRED SEVENTEEN of a 1000-day journal of OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER…
26 APRIL 1967… HOME TOWN HEAD LINES from The New York Times on a wet Wednesday…
Page 1: “McGOVERN LEADS A SENATE ATTACK UPON ESCALATION”… “Several Democratic Senators sharply attacked President Johnson’s policy on the Senate floor today. The attack–by George McGovern, Robert F. Kennedy, J.W. Fulbright, and Frank Church–came a day after United States planes bombed air bases in North Vietnam. It also came a day after General William Westmoreland, Commander of United States forces in Vietnam, said that critics of the war are encouraging the enemy to believe ‘he can win politically that which he cannot accomplish militarily.’ Some Senators came briefly to the defense of President Johnson and General Westmoreland.
“Senator McGovern, Democrat South Dakota, told the Senate he knew ‘full well the political danger to my own career of challenging the President in wartime.’ The Senator will seek re-election next year. However, Senator McGovern said he is convinced ‘that the level of escalation marked by our bombing of the North Vietnamese airfields has brought us one step closer to World War III involving the limitless serious of China backed by the firepower of Soviet Russia.’…‘So I do not intend to remain silent in the face of what I regard as a policy of madness which sooner of later will envelop my son and American youth by the millions for years to come.’…
“Senator Kennedy of New York interrupted Senator McGovern to say that inevitably, after the steps taken by the United States in Asia in the last few weeks, ‘our adversaries in that part of the world will have to take other steps themselves’… “As surely as we are standing here, the Soviet Union, Communist China and North Vietnam will have to react to what we have done by acting themselves.’ Then Mr. Kennedy asked: ‘If we trace the history of the world, is it not a fact that this is how the destruction of mankind is ultimately arrived at?’…
“Senator Fulbright of Arkansas, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said that he believed that bringing General Westmoreland to Washington to speak before a joint session of Congress on Friday, ‘is a final drive for a vastly enlarged manpower and a grand drive for victory.’…Senator Fulbright said that as the tempo of the war increased so would the pressure against dissent. Indeed, he suggested the Senate might even be witnessing the beginning of the end of dissent, and that Mr. McGovern might be voicing a final warning.”...Future criticism, he said, will lead first to charges of disloyalty then to charges of ‘muddle-headedness,’ and then to treason… Senator McGovern: ‘In trying to imply that it is American dissent which is causing the Vietnamese to continue the war, the Administration is only confessing the weakness of its own case by trying to silence its critics and confuse the American people.’…
“Senator Church of Idaho recalled that the Administration had steadily expanded the war since February 1965 and increased American participation on the ground war since July 1965. None of these steps, he said, achieved their declared objectives of interrupting the flow of supplies and troops from North Vietnam and bringing North Vietnam to the conference table.
“Senators Suppressed Holland, Democrat of Florida, and Frank Lausche, Democrat of New Jersey, supported President Johnson and challenged Senator McGovern’s charge. But there was no debate–it was early in the day and only eight Senators were on the floor–mostly ‘doves.’…
Senator Russell B. Long of Louisiana told Senator McGovern: ‘Some of us think there is more to fear than a bloody war; that a Communist take-over in Southeast Asia, particularly if it led to a Communist expansion elsewhere, would be a much greater disaster than a bloodier war in Vietnam.’ Senator Barry Goldwater said he supported General Westmoreland’s stricture of war critics and the bombing of the air bases….”…
Page 1: “North Vietnam charged Wednesday that a British freighter, the Dartford, was shot up in the Haiphong raid Tuesday and that six of her crew were injured.”… Page 1: “Senate Approves Treaty to Limit Space Arms Race”… Page 1: “Adenauer Buried On Rhine; Allied Leaders Pay Tribute”… Page 1: “Greek Coup Stirs Aid Review in U.S.”… Page 1: “Thousands Pass Cosmonaut’s (Komarov) Bier”… Page 1: “U.S. Aides Believe Soyuz-1 Was Out of Control”… Page 1: “U.S. Said to be Planning Broader Bombing”…(No use of the word “expanded,” substitutes: “the air war is being widened’ or “pressure is being increased” or “the war is entering a new phase.”)
26 April 1967… The President’s Daily Brief…CIA (TS sanitized) GREECE: The country’s new rulers clearly expect to be around for some time. (large segment remains classified) King Constantine now seems intent on exerting whatever influence he can toward moderation… NORTH VIETNAM: Silting is beginning to make it difficult for large ships to get into Haiphong harbor. at least four ships have been held up for many days during the past six weeks while waiting for the needed extra high tide. The problem will become worse with the coming monsoon season unless dredging begins soon.
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER…CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY AND INTREPIDITY IN ACTION… CAPTAIN (THEN LCDR) MICHAEL J. ESTOCIN, UNITED STATES NAVY…THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR…26 APRIL 1967… Awarded Posthumously…
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 20 and 26 April 1967 as a pilot in Attack Squadron 192, embarked in USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14). Leading a 3-plane group of aircraft in support of a coordinated strike against two thermal power plants in Haiphong, North Vietnam, on 20 April 1967, Captain Estocin provide continuous warnings to the strike group leaders of the surface-to-air missile (SAM) threats, and personally neutralized 3 SAM sites. Although his aircraft was severely damaged by an exploding missile, he reentered the target area and relentlessly prosecuted a SHRIKE attack in the face of intense antiaircraft fire. With less than 5 minutes of fuel remaining he departed the target area and commenced in-flight refueling which continued for over 100 miles. Three miles aft of Ticonderoga, and without enough fuel for a second approach, he disengaged from the tanker and executed a precise approach to a fiery arrested landing. On 26 April 1967, in support of a coordinated strike against the vital fuel facilities in Haiphong, he led an attack on a threatening SAM site, during which his aircraft was seriously damaged by an exploding SAM; nevertheless, he regained control of his burning aircraft and courageously launched his SHRIKE missiles before departing the area. By his inspiring courage and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Captain Estocin upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.”
26 APRIL 1967…OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER…New York Times (27 Apr reporting 26 Apr ops)…Page 1: “U.S. Jets Strike Hanoi’s Rail Link With Red China”… “United States Air Force pilots tried today to cut Hanoi’s only rail approach from Communist China as they struck at the city for the second day in a row. Their target was a five-span bridge of steel and concrete that carries rail tracks and Highway 1A over the Canal des Rapides four miles north of the city’s city center. Hanoi’s rail connections with the north come together outside the capital. traffic is funneled into the city over the 738-foot bridge. The canal, navigable by small freighters, links North Vietnam’s capital with the port city of Haiphong on the Gulf of Tonkin, 50 miles to the east. The attacking planes, F-105 Thunderchiefs based in Thailand, also struck again at an electrical transformer station seven miles north of the city.”
“Carrier based Navy pilots went back to bomb an oil storage area two miles northwest of Haiphong. Another Navy mission was to cut the northeast rail-line by striking yards at Hon Gai, 27 miles from the capital. On the basis of early reports a military spokesman said it is unlikely that the bridge had been knocked out. ‘It doesn’t look good,’ he said. But the transformer complex, called the most important element in North Vietnam’s general grid, was said to have been hit so hard that tongues of flame and rolling smoke leaping from the building hindered the final bombing runs over the target. Heavy damage was also observed at the Haiphong fuel dump.”
“Throughout the raids the pilots faced intense opposition from ground batteries, missiles and MIG fighters. One 85-mm rapid fire cannon at the bridge was knocked out, but reports of losses of American and enemy aircraft were not immediately available. However, two American planes were added to the announced toll in the Strikes Tuesday against Hanoi and Haiphong, bringing the total to three. Three planes were also lost on Monday when Air Force and Navy planes struck for the first time the MIG bases of North Vietnam.”
“Although the number of planes taking part in these raids remained a secret the spokesman said that losses remained at an ‘acceptable’ level. A total of 516 American planes have been downed in North Vietnam since the start of air operations there in August 1964. (??) One plane lost Tuesday–a Navy Skyhawk fighter-bomber–was said to have been shot down by a MIG-17 during a series of dogfights over Haiphong. It was the 12th loss attributed to the Soviet designed fighter. By contrast, American fliers report having downed 42 enemy planes, including 2 in the air field raids on Monday.”
“Asked to describe the loss of the Skyhawk the spokesman quoted a message from another pilot; ‘I saw the flight leader smoking, then he disappeared into the clouds.’ The second plane, an F-105 Thunderchief, went down at Hanoi from ‘unknown causes.’ The two pilots are listed as missing.”
“Reconnaissance photos showed that at least six MiGs were destroyed on the ground Monday on raids on the air bases at Kep and Hoalac. Several others were said to have been ‘probably hit.’…”
Page 16: “Description of Paul Doumer Bridge”… “The bridge that came under attack by the Air Force today was described as a five span 738-foot structure carrying a highway and a rail line. ??? {This description could apply to the Long-Bien bridge, which is closer to the central city than the bridge announced as the target.} The Hanoi rail-line branches into the three main lines leading north from the capital, one due north to the Thainguyen industrial complex, one northeast to China, and one to the northwest. ‘If they got the bridge, they have blocked all three,’ an American spokesman said.”
“Vietnam: Air Losses” (Hobson) There were five fixed wing aircraft lost in Southeast Asia on 26 April 1967... Ten warriors killed in action, one POW, and one survived to fly and fight again.
(1) LTJG J.W. CAIN was flying an A-4E of the World Famous Golden Dragons of VA-192 embarked in USS Ticonderoga on a strike on the Haiphong POL site was hit by ground fire on his approach to roll-in and continued his attack before assessing the damage. He was able to keep the Skyhawk flying until he was at sea 15 miles south of Haiphong, where he was forced to eject. A full SAR was required to suppress enemy shore fire in order to get a the Navy helicopter in to make a successful rescue of LTJG CAIN 50 years ago today… oohrah…
(2) LCDR MICHAEL JOHN ESTOCIN was flying an A-4E of the World Famous Golden Dragons of VA-192 and leading the Iron Hand support for the strike on the Haiphong POL site. He proceeded in advance of the strike group and took on site under attack, recovering to position for an attack on a second site he was engaged by a SAM he was unable to avoid and sustained catastrophic damage. Aflame and without electrical power or radios, he was unable to be contacted as he maneuvered to save his burning aircraft. A wingman observed the aircraft to roll inverted and impact the water near Ca Ba Island. LCDR ESTOCIN was Killed in Action engaged with the enemy and his extraordinary heroism was recognized with the award of the Congressional Medal of Honor. He lies where he fell on the battlefield 50 years ago and remains at rest in peace… Our thoughts go out to his family on this 50th anniversary of his final flight…
(3) MAJOR JOHN FRANCIS DUDASH and CAPTAIN ALTON BENNO MEYER were flying an F-105F of the 333rd TFS and 355th TFW out of Takhli on an Iron Hand mission in support of the Air Force strike on the thermal power plant near Hanoi. Their attack on a SAM site was met with a volley of three SAMs, one of which struck the F-105F. An explosion followed and the crew ejected. CAPTAIN MEYER was captured, interned as a POW until released in 1973. MAJOR DUDASH’s remains were returned in June 1983 without explanation… MAJOR DUDASH died a warrior’s death on a violent battlefield carrying the fight to the enemy, no holds barred… Patton: “I know of no better way to die than facing the enemy.”
(4) CAPTAIN WILLIAM MICHAEL MEYER was flying an F-105D of the 469th TFS and 388th TFW out of Korat on a strike on the Hanoi railway and highway bridge and was hit by intense ground fire. The aircraft crashed on the northeast outskirts of Hanoi. There was no ejection and CAPTAIN MEYER was Killed in Action on this date fifty years ago. His remains were returned to the United States in August 1985 after 17 years of not knowing his true fate…
(5) MAJOR BURNETT NEAL, MAJOR REGINALD WILLIAMS, 1LT CLIFFORD C. BARNETT, SSGT FREDERICK EDWARD BARNETTE, SSGT ROBERT WENDELL DAVIS, SSGT THOMAS ALFRED PREAUX, and A1C MICHAEL JEFF STEPHENS were flying an AC-47D of the 4th ACS and 14th ACW operating out of Tan Son Nhut on a night Spooky gunship mission near Cam Ranh Bay. The aircraft was observed to crash and explode at sea, without explanation. Seven brave warriors Killed in Action fifty years ago are remembered here this day. Glory gained, duty done…
RIPPLE SALVO… #417… On Tuesday, 25 April 1967 1LT ROBERT LARRY WESKAMP of the 354th TFS went down about 10 miles north of Hanoi. Nobody knew his fate until the following story was filed by a correspondent for Agence France Presse on 27 April. It wasn’t good news for the WESKAMP family, but it was better than no news at all, which is what the DUDASH and MEYER families endured for more than 15 years.
NYT (28 April 1967), Page 3: “U.S. Raider is Dead after Parachuting”… “The American pilot lay still on a woven bed in the hut as North Vietnamese officer, a girl and a peasant told in whispers how he had died. He was Lieutenant Larry Weskamp, born July 4, 1942. His plane was shot down Tuesday over the suburbs of Hanoi. Eight hours later he died of his injuries in the village of Vanha, in the Red River delta 18 miles northeast of Hanoi. ‘He fell into a rice field five yards from here,’ the officer said. Apparently he was only injured in the foot. He was brought to the village, and died at 5 o’clock this afternoon. I think he had an internal hemorrhage…a 19 year-old girl with a gun slung over her shoulder, told how the flier had been captured. ‘I was at work. I saw the plane in flames falling towards us. I picked up my rifle and with a comrade ran toward the plane, the blue and red parachute opened. The American fell straight forward towards us, then landed in the field. We pointed our rifles, he raised his arms. He could not walk, so the peasants put him on a bamboo stretcher and carried him to the hut.’ “… {The Pentagon said Lieutenant Robert Weskamp had been missing since Tuesday.}… KILLED IN ACTION is to know, MISSING IN ACTION is to live life suspended…Knowing is best…
CAG’s Quotes for 25 April: HELMUTH VON MOLKE:”Luck, in the long run, favors the skillful commander.”… PATTON: “Soldiers create in themselves visions of an omnipresent and deadly enemy.”…
Lest we forget… Bear
