HBT Posted July 13, 2015 Share #1 Posted July 13, 2015 I stopped in a local vintage clothing shop and saw this one looker on a hanger. Sold! It's been a delight researching the vet - shot down twice in Laos, rescued by Air America both times, Purple Hearts, DFC. Notice the removed rank on the shoulders as he was "retired" USAF for this assignment! Still pinching my arm on this one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff TX Posted July 13, 2015 Share #2 Posted July 13, 2015 WOW! Thanks for sharing your awesome historical find of a decorated warrior/patriot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Scott Posted July 13, 2015 Share #3 Posted July 13, 2015 That is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick Great find.Scotty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBT Posted July 14, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted July 14, 2015 I stopped by a nearby vintage clothing shop last week and saw this beauty on a hanger. Sold! Research revealed the vet was shot down twice in Laos and rescued by Air America both times. He received Purple Hearts and a Distinguished Flying Cross. Notice his rank insignia is removed because he was "retired" from USAF during this FAC assignment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintageproductions Posted July 14, 2015 Share #5 Posted July 14, 2015 Great find Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrei Posted July 14, 2015 Share #6 Posted July 14, 2015 Incredible find! Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMcCulloch Posted July 14, 2015 Share #7 Posted July 14, 2015 You. lucky. B@st@rd! I mean that in a good way too. That patch is alone is worth killing for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
268th C.A. Posted July 14, 2015 Share #8 Posted July 14, 2015 Nice find! LOL JMcCulloch..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
American Graffiti Posted July 14, 2015 Share #9 Posted July 14, 2015 Wow that's a rare find, great history Congrats AG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yank Posted July 14, 2015 Share #10 Posted July 14, 2015 Amazing story about the pilot Good catch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDogMilitaria Posted July 14, 2015 Share #11 Posted July 14, 2015 great find! Love the patch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted July 15, 2015 Share #12 Posted July 15, 2015 Agreed with all above ....... You got quite the score. owen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralCheese Posted July 15, 2015 Share #13 Posted July 15, 2015 All I ever see are nasty old Alpha Industries flight jackets! Amazing find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovmilinsig Posted July 15, 2015 Share #14 Posted July 15, 2015 What a great score!!! Jacket has an interesting too. Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niki Posted July 15, 2015 Share #15 Posted July 15, 2015 thats a GREAT find !!! congrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted July 15, 2015 Share #16 Posted July 15, 2015 Stunning. Never seen that patch. Can't imagine what it took to earn it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
River Patrol Posted July 15, 2015 Share #17 Posted July 15, 2015 Oh, killer jacket! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted July 16, 2015 Share #18 Posted July 16, 2015 Just reread the thread and saw you had the info I originally posted. That's a great jacket! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBT Posted July 17, 2015 Author Share #19 Posted July 17, 2015 From an online obit I found, "He served in Vietnam with the U.S. Air Force for two tours as a Forward Air Control 0-1 Bird Dog pilot over Laos with the Ravens group. He was shot down and injured behind enemy lines twice. Air America pilots rescued him each time. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. Next he became a flight instructor at Craig AFB. Afterward he briefly trained as a U-2 pilot. When he left the Air Force he flew for Saudia Airlines, then Evergreen Air Freight, and finally retired from United Airlines after flying Boeing 757-767 jets. He served as captain for each airline." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dril Posted July 17, 2015 Share #20 Posted July 17, 2015 I love finding gems at vintage clothing/ thrift stores its a rush! Great find! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted July 18, 2015 Share #21 Posted July 18, 2015 I thought I had posted on here earlier... great find, especially with the color insignia. I have never seen that patch before. I can only imagine what he went through with over 1,000 missions in that part of the world! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsoon Posted July 18, 2015 Share #22 Posted July 18, 2015 Can't imagine what it took to earn it. A lot. My "wing commander" (really didn't have enough people to be considered a real wing) was a Raven. You'd never suspect, tho. Never wore his blues. Short, bald, great guy tho. He'd come rolling into our office (three young E-4 Sergeants) and hang out, steal our popcorn, shoot the breeze. I saw his name in the Raven book and thought it might be him. When I saw him in his dress blues with a Silver Star, I knew he was. Finally asked him when he was in our office (and after we all read the book). He chuckled and walk away when we asked if the stories were true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m1ashooter Posted July 18, 2015 Share #23 Posted July 18, 2015 This article has a picture of his plane. http://www.talkingproud.us/Military/Birddog/BirddogRavens/BirddogRavens.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m1ashooter Posted July 18, 2015 Share #24 Posted July 18, 2015 More about the man who wore the jacket. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1572206719676579&id=1458855461011706&fref=nf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted July 18, 2015 Share #25 Posted July 18, 2015 Duplicate topics merged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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