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Tonkin Gulf Fighter Pilot


CROC
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Visor cap of JC Smith. He receivec this cap from Cdr Polfer, VF 121 CO and Lt Bjerke and Kane Top Gun instructors in 1 october 1970 when he took command of Navy Fighter Weapons School. The nametag when he was a Lt was used in the cap.

 

 

 

 

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AAF_Collection

Great thread Croc,I've learned a lot about VN era flight gear from reading it.

 

Thanks,

 

Matt.

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Croc,

You have some incredible gear !! Really enjoyed reading this thread.

 

I am confused with the J C Smith grouping though. The first picture the CDR is wearing Naval Aviator wings, and the last pictures he is wearing Naval Flight Officer wings (NFO). Was he an Aviator or a back-seater ?

 

Chris

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Thanks,

 

Chris, J. C. Smith had a strange carrier, he was initially a Naval aviator qualified in 1957 and joined VF 121 as pilot. He was quicky selected to follow RIO course in USAF Connally air Base with 3565th NTS to form the nucleus of USN F4 back seater instructors and NATOPS writers. Like that he became a NAO (Intercept) and follow his carrier as a NFO. In book about his military life(Journey to Command) he explained that he made several requests to change billet and be a pilot but the BuPers refused, but he remained qualified in both and it should be the reason why he is wearing NA wings.

 

Best croc

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  • 1 year later...

Hi,

 

A little up date with famous HC 7 CSAR squadron items.

 

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and uniforms from Harodl R. Brumage who served with HC 7 Cubi Point Det from april 1969 to april 1970. He later served with VRF 31, HSL 30 and HSL 32 before retiring in 1977. Unfortunatly I didn't managed to locate a picture of him.

 

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In 14 march 1970 with Lt Drake he flew a rescue mission to evacuate TN Lonas badly injured aboard USS Eldorado.

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