Eclectic: Tonkin Gulf football & RVN Navy CNO gift

[Bob Hudson]

 

It is interesting to see what sometimes remains long after an estate has seemingly been divided, sold, lost, thrown away and otherwise cast to the four winds.

 

This Naval aviator flew two Pacific combat tours in WWII, became the first allied pilot to shoot down two MIG-15s in Korea, as a Naval officer commanded an Air Force fighter squadron in combat, was a test pilot, commanded the Kitty Hawk during the Vietnam war and retired as an Admiral.

 

He passed away in 2006 and had lots of grandchildren, I was told, so much of his career artifacts may be with family. These are what were left in the family home that's now being sold.

 

The first day I went to the sale I found a Vietnam-made boonie/cowboy hat, a vintage nylon flight suit, a couple of French Naval Aviation hats, a Vietnam era flyers shirt and pants, and some military golf tournament tags with his name on them. An odd little lot of militaria for sure.

 

Today I went back and found two items that are keepers: a football from a May 1967 game aboard the Kitty Hawk in the Gulf of Tonkin, and a small folding screen presented by the head of South Vietnam's Navy Rear Admiral Tran Van Chon:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bob Hudson]

The Gulf of Tonkin football game on May 23, 1967 was called the POST HO FOLLY. The ball has been signed but the signatures are all pretty much unreadable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bob Hudson]

These were hanging on a hook in the garage (note the GUAM GOLF CLUB patch)

 

[Bob Hudson]

Found some documents online with details of his most interesting career:

 

 

 

[Bob Hudson]

Something not mentioned in that news story: his combat experience with the Air Force:

 

"During the Korean War Paul flew with the U.S. Air Force as a naval exchange pilot in the fourth fighter interceptor group. During this tour (1950-1951) he became the first united nations pilot to shoot down two MIG-15s. He was one of only two naval aviators to score kills flying FB6s in Korea and had the added distinction of being the only naval officer to ever command a U.S. Air Force squadron (334th fighter squadron) in combat."

[kanemono]

What a great career! Thanks for posting so he will be remembered.

Dick

[Bob Hudson]

In 1972 he was chief of Naval Forces Marianas and hosted President Nixon and wife as overnight house guests when they were enroute to China.

[Bob Hudson]

Some more online document finds:

 

[Bob Hudson]

I wondered about that name on the football - POST HO FOLLY

 

"Post Ho" would be, I guess, after dealing with Uncle Ho Chi Minh.

 

 

Turns out the Kittyhawk's tour of Yankee Station ended in May 67, same month as the football game, so it would seem as though the FOLLY was a stand down party.

 

[Bob Hudson]

He had two French naval aviation caps - wonder if Admiral Pugh got those from a French carrier visiting the Marianas during his time there?

 

[Bob Hudson]

He served from 1941 to 1974 so it's appropriate that the two flight suits are from 1971 and the 1940's.