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Col. Thomas Coady Vietnam F-105 Pilot


flakbait
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Hello,

 

I bought one of the Tom Coady's grouping. It consists of :

- HGU-2 A/P flight helmet + MBU-5/P oxygen mask

- CWU-27/P flight suit

- CSU-12/P Anti-g garment

- FRP-1 flight gloves

- shroud knife

- 3 patches + leather nametag

 

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Greetings from Switzerland

Damien

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Thanks for sharing. This stuff is really neat to see. I am glad that his items went to good people. I was honored to receive is jacket. Still trying to figure out what to do with it.

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BlueBookGuy

Hello Red Crown,

 

Can I ask whether the G-suit you named CSU-12/P, is actually a CSU-3/P? Shape of its hose is unique to the CSU-3/P, no other G-pants do have such a hose.

Also, the tiny piece of hose tied with a string - once put into the main tube, if he wishes the airman can mouth-inflate the G-suit as a further help for buoyancy in the water. This is a direct legacy from the old, WW2-style G-3A suit.

 

Thanks very much - Franco.

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Franco,

 

Here are the labels/markings related to the G-suit, flight suit and flight gloves :

 

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BlueBookGuy

Very kind Damien.

 

This must be the old CSU-3/P re-named CSU-12/P for some unknown reasons, otherwise virtually identical. Changes came about in 1972-73 with arrival of the CSU-13/P, this one a different piece as for material, fire-resistant properties and shape of hose/bladders/pockets' closure (it's still used today).

 

Interesting the gloves as made by Mario Papa & Sons, who through the whole '60s supplied the USAF (and in lesser measure the US Navy) with the classic B-3A summer gloves made in leather: Chocolade Brown for the Air Force, some different shades of Yellow for the Navy.

Thanks again - Franco.

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Thanks much RED CROWN for sharing pics of your Col Coady grouping. It was one of three that the dealer had put up on ebay. After the auctions, I was able to buy much o fwhat was left, the patches (pictures posted), Col Coady's orange air defense flight suit when he was a captain, named flight bag, 2 pairs of flight gloves, named CSU-3 g-suit, F-16 check lists, a post-Vietnam CWU-27 flight suit with colonel's eagles and a set of the "shower curtain" platic escape of evade maps for SEA.

Hello,

 

I bought one of the Tom Coady's grouping. It consists of :

- HGU-2 A/P flight helmet + MBU-5/P oxygen mask

- CWU-27/P flight suit

- CSU-12/P Anti-g garment

- FRP-1 flight gloves

- shroud knife

- 3 patches + leather nametag

attachicon.gifphp7DIPKqAM.jpg

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attachicon.gifphpR9QiUJAM.jpg

attachicon.gifphpgjj5dGAM.jpg

attachicon.gifphp7DIPKqAM.jpg

attachicon.gifphp7DIPKqAM.jpg

attachicon.gif74bc_1.jpg

attachicon.gif7338_1.jpg

attachicon.gif75f6_1.jpg

 

Greetings from Switzerland

Damien

 

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Sorry - I don't own the tiger stripe. I posted (on page 1) a photo of it from the ebay auction some years ago.

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Here are some info about Thomas J. Coady :

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Weasel Sq., arriving at Korat RTAFB, Thailand, in February 1972.

During is tour at Korat, Col. Coady served as

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(source : Red River Valley Fighter Pilots, Turner Publishing Co, 1989)

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nguoi tien su

Great additions! The tiger suit is a killer...

 

Those 100 mission patches are always very much appreciated especially when named. The SAM slayer is the best.

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Vietnam Air Losses, compiled by Chis Hobson (Midland Publishing, 2001), p,233 -

 

29 July 1972

F-105G 62-4443

17th WWS, 388 TFW, USAF, Korat

Maj T. J. Coady (survived)

Maj H.F. Murphy (survived)

 

About 10 minutes later, as the srtike force was retiring from the target and heading out to sea, one of the Iron Hand F-105Gs engaged a MIG. As the Thunderchief performed a split-S maneouver it fired a Sidewinder missile at the MIG but the missile exploded prematurely and damaged the F-105's starboard wing. Maj Coady managed to coax his badly damaged aircraft ut over the Gulf of Tonkin and set course for Da Nang. The crew ejected about five miles offshore from DaNang and were soon picked up by US Marine Corps helicopters.

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Thomas Joseph Coady
AWARDS AND CITATIONS
Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

 

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Thomas Joseph Coady, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force over Southeast Asia on 30 September 1972. On that date, while escorting fighter-bombers en route to targets near Kep, North Vietnam, Major Coady, an F-105G Pilot, repeatedly engaged the enemy anti-aircraft defenses which opposed the strike force. After attacking and destroying one of the surface-to-air missile sites which guarded the approach to the target, Major Coady's aircraft was severely damaged by a missile from a second site in the area. Realizing the importance of eliminating this threat to the American forces, Major Coady, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, flew his damaged aircraft in a devastating counter attack which destroyed the site and cleared the path for the strike aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Coady has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

General Orders: Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Orders GB-0394 (March 28, 1973)
Action Date: September 30, 1972
Service: Air Force

Rank: Major

-------------------------------------
Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

 

 

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Thomas Joseph Coady, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force in Southeast Asia on 26 December 1972. On that date, while leading a large force of escort aircraft in support of high altitude bomber strikes against Hanoi, North Vietnam, Major Coady attacked and destroyed key hostile surface to air missile sites which opposed the bomber force. His decisive combat leadership and courageous attacks in the face of heavy anti-aircraft, missile and artillery fire, significantly enhanced the effectiveness of an important American air operation. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Coady has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

General Orders: Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Orders GB-0683
Action Date: December 26, 1972
Service: Air Force

Rank: Major

------------------------------------------

 

Distinguished Flying Cross

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Thomas Joseph Coady, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot in Southeast Asia on 12 May 1968. On that date, flying as lead in a flight of two F-105s, Captain Coady was targeted against a portion of a new road being constructed by the North Vietnamese. Despite the presence of automatic weapons, and position of the target road on the side of a steep hill, Captain Coady delivered his ordnance precisely on target, destroying a bulldozer and cutting the road where a detour was impossible and repair difficult. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Coady reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Action Date: May 12, 1968
Service: Air Force
Rank: Captain

 

------------------------------------------------

Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Thomas Joseph Coady, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Electronic Warfare Officer on 16 April 1972. On that date, Major Coady, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, seriously degraded the surface-to-air missile capability surrounding a heavy defended target in Southeast Asia. His aggressive actions were directly responsible for the safe return of all friendly forces and the successful completion of the assigned mission. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Coady reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Action Date: April 16, 1972
Service: Air Force
Rank: Major
-------------------------------------------------------
Distinguished Flying CrossAwarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Thomas Joseph Coady, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105G Aircraft Commander near the Kep Railroad Yards, North Vietnam, on 24 August 1972. On that date, Major Coady repeatedly engaged enemy radar threats, despite extreme hazards of enemy aircraft, heavy anti-aircraft artillery and overlapping coverage of numerous surface to air missiles. As a result of his efforts, enemy air defense capabilities were seriously degraded, thereby increasing the survivability of subsequent strike forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Coady reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Action Date: August 24, 1972
Service: Air Force
Rank: Major
---------------------------------------------
Distinguished Flying CrossAwarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat "V" to Major Thomas Joseph Coady, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia on 2 September 1972. On that date, Major Coady succeeded in neutralizing the formidable array of hostile air defenses including anti-aircraft artillery, surface-to-air missiles and hostile interceptors while in support of a strike force attacking a strategic target in the vicinity of Hanoi, North Vietnam. Despite great risk to his own aircraft, Major Coady continued to engage all opposing hostile air defenses in the target area until the strike force had completed its mission and all aircraft had safely exited the target area. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Coady reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Action Date: September 2, 1972
Service: Air Force
Rank: Major
--------------------------------------------
Distinguished Flying CrossAwarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat "V" to Major Thomas Joseph Coady, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105G Pilot over Southeast Asia on 29 September 1972. On that date, while suppressing hostile air defenses in support of air strikes near Phuc Yen Airfield, North Vietnam, Major Coady repeatedly attacked the dense concentration of surface-to-air missile sites which guarded the approaches to the airfield. Major Coady's aggressive and courageous attacks on these positions, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft missile and artillery fire, significantly reduced the threat to the strike force as they completed their mission. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Coady reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Action Date: September 29, 1972
Service: Air Force
Rank: Major
-----------------------------------------
Distinguished Flying CrossAwarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Thomas Joseph Coady, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105G Pilot in Southeast Asia on 27 December 1972. On that date, Major Coady repeatedly engaged hostile air defense positions which opposed the bomber force. His aggressive and courageous attacks against surface-to-air missile sites, in the face of heavy anti-aircraft missile and artillery fire, enabled the strike forces to reach their targets, successfully complete their mission, and safely withdraw. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Coady reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Action Date: December 27, 1972
Service: Air Force

Rank: Major

 

-----------------------------------------

Legion of Merit

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Thomas Joseph Coady, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Advanced Programs Coordinator and Special Assistant to the Director, Joint Doctrine Center, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, from 20 April 1987 to 31 July 1988. Through outstanding professional competence and expertise, his involvement in the Joint Surveillance/Target Attack Radar System Operational Utility Evaluation has ensured that commanders in chief and Service interests will be served and that joint inter-operability of our military services will be enhanced. As a talented conceptualizer and organizer, he was a key participant in developing the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Doctrine Master Plan, which will provide a framework for future improved warfighting effectiveness. His tenacious efforts toward enhancing advanced joint interdiction concepts and systems will have far-reaching benefits to future military readiness. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Coady culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Action Date: September 20, 1984 - September 30, 1985
Service: Air Force

Rank: Colonel

 

 

 

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I am posting pics of the other items I acquired from Col Coady's estate. He origionally was an Air Defense Pilot flying the F-102 with the 82nd FIS in the early 1960s. Flightsuit patches and rank insignia are origional as I received this item. Missing his leather name block.

 

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I am posting pics of the other items I acquired from Col Coady's estate. He origionally was an Air Defense Pilot flying the F-102 with the 82nd FIS in the early 1960s. Flightsuit patches and rank insignia are origional as I received this item. Missing his leather name block.

 

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The other flightsuit I have is a 1981 dated CWU-27 with full colonel eagles on shoulders, Fighter Weapons School graduate patch on left sleve,TAC patch on front. Right patch was removed, just have a black leatheette backing. Difficult to ID what that paych may have been based on shape and going against a list of Col Coady's assignments after 1981. All patches and rank use theis backing. The suit came out of the estate sale but from a different dealer. Leather name block was also missing but was ablew to have a dupicate made based on pics from ebay sales.

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Finally, I was able to buy from the ebay dealer, a named parachute bag when then Maj Coady was assigned to the 66th Fighter Weapons Sq at nellis AFB, NV between his Nam tours. I also was able to purchase a named CSU-3 g-suit, 72 dated nomex gloves, a set of F-16 check lists, a period survival knife and a set of "shower curtain" escape and evade maps for SEA (not shown).

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Cool Stuff, Flakbait!

 

Can you tell us about what appears to be a large framed F-105 - Thud Driver patch or print off to the left in the flight suit photo?

 

Dale

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Hellop Flakbait, a fantastic rig!! Marvellous indeed.

 

Please could you take a full-shot at the partially visible mannequinn wearing that parachute? guess you have done the full-display job of a F-105 pilot in Vietnam? I'd glad to see possible differences between that one and the BA-18 worn on my full-display "RF-101 pilot" as shown in another topic, I think mine could maybe be dated early '70s.

Thanks again - Franco.

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Cool Stuff, Flakbait!

 

Can you tell us about what appears to be a large framed F-105 - Thud Driver patch or print off to the left in the flight suit photo?

 

Dale

Hi Dale - see attached pic. It was a large iron-on transfer, from the late 1960/early 70s. I applied it to a piece of plexiglass then had it matted and framed.

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Hi Franco - yes, thats my composite F-105 pilot from alte 1967/early 68 (before the bombing halt). Still need to add F-105 patches. Hoping to to locate an original K-2B from an THUD Driver some day.

 

Hellop Flakbait, a fantastic rig!! Marvellous indeed.

 

Please could you take a full-shot at the partially visible mannequinn wearing that parachute? guess you have done the full-display job of a F-105 pilot in Vietnam? I'd glad to see possible differences between that one and the BA-18 worn on my full-display "RF-101 pilot" as shown in another topic, I think mine could maybe be dated early '70s.

Thanks again - Franco.

 

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Hi Franco - yes, thats my composite F-105 pilot from alte 1967/early 68 (before the bombing halt). Still need to add F-105 patches. Hoping to to locate an original K-2B from an THUD Driver some day.

 

 

 

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suppose this COULD be a sort of Thud-dedicated room??, do not know why I'm having this impression :o :o - a fantastic thing.

 

Your parachute BA-18 sports the much more common oval-shaped handle and a simpler spring system for the pull-out lanyard, with only one coiled spring, in respect to the one worn by my Vietnam pilot. The hook attaching to handle for a "zero delay" deploying is different, too - looks like being smaller, and whitish in color instead of anodyzed red.

Maybe modifications made "in the field"?, it's unlikely they are worth of another nomenclature for the whole 'chute assembly.

 

Interesting indeed - wish to show a comparison with the same specific area in my specimen. Franco.

 

 

p.s. are your gloves the B-3A pattern made in grey leather? main maker of this was "Steinberg Bros, Co." or sometimes, "Mario Papa & Sons".

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Some evident differencies about "secondary" things - number of coiled springs, color of lanyard, color/shape/size of the hook.

 

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