Kham Duc

Lucky Red Lions:
I remember briefing for the mission to extract Kham Duc. I had flown there many times but this time was a definate S--t Sandwich. Lt. (at the time) Fleming was a friend and classmate of mine. I didn't know he was flying one of the 46's used in the extract (because they were bigger and faster than our 34s I guess) but later learned of the major loss in that extraction.

I had been to Kham Duc many times and knew all the L.Z.s but Ops. apparently decided to not use the old H-34 for the mission and assigned it to 46s. We had already had the "Suicide" steak and egg breakfast at 0500 when we were told that we could go back to our hooches. I think it was HMM 265 that flew the mission. Bud Fleming was sent to HMM 363 when he got into country. He flew with us for several months before a request went to the squadron pilots asking for volunteers to go the the 46 squadron. My memories of watching the aft section of the 46 seperate were too fresh in my mind and I opted to stay with 34s.
Probably a good thing but Bud Fleming decided to transition.

Still haven't decided whether our 34s could have pulled off that extraction any better......

Semper Fidelis,

Jack Warner

Here is another version of the incident, as seen from the Air Force Side.

http://members.aol.com/BlndBat/khamduc.html

and another

http://www.afa.org/magazine/valor/1185valor.asp

and another from Stars and Stripes

http://www.afa.org/magazine/valor/1185valor.asp

and another account

http://pages.ivillage.com/sunny_homemaker/Details.html

still another account

http://www.geocities.com/henrymmia/synopsis.html

Jack S. Warner;13558 wrote: Lucky Red Lions:
I remember briefing for the mission to extract Kham Duc. I had flown there many times but this time was a definate S--t Sandwich. Lt. (at the time) Fleming was a friend and classmate of mine. I didn't know he was flying one of the 46's used in the extract (because they were bigger and faster than our 34s I guess) but later learned of the major loss in that extraction.

I had been to Kham Duc many times and knew all the L.Z.s but Ops. apparently decided to not use the old H-34 for the mission and assigned it to 46s. We had already had the "Suicide" steak and egg breakfast at 0500 when we were told that we could go back to our hooches. I think it was HMM 265 that flew the mission. Bud Fleming was sent to HMM 363 when he got into country. He flew with us for several months before a request went to the squadron pilots asking for volunteers to go the the 46 squadron. My memories of watching the aft section of the 46 seperate were too fresh in my mind and I opted to stay with 34s.
Probably a good thing but Bud Fleming decided to transition.

Still haven't decided whether our 34s could have pulled off that extraction any better......

Semper Fidelis,

Jack Warner

Jack,
I'm doing some research for someoen who is writing a book about the Kham Duc action that took place 10-12 May 1968. Looking for some pictures of the camp from that time period and was wondering if you had any or knew of anyone who might. Apppreciate your help.

Chris Pelkey

other resources

Not sure of dates, but found these:

http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/morts-rescue-at-kham-duc/

http://www.sgtmacsbar.com/Stories/KhamDuc/KhamDuc.html

beddoe;22145 wrote: Not sure of dates, but found these:

http://tonetcarlo.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/morts-rescue-at-kham-duc/

http://www.sgtmacsbar.com/Stories/KhamDuc/KhamDuc.html

Wally,
Thanks. I've seen those - they were in that great thread you sent me earlier. Hope that Jack Warner responds because he mentioned flying to Kham Duc numerous times. With any luck he may have a pix or two. Just trying to get different shots of the camp to show the layout before the action took place.

Chris