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Last Updated on 03/02/99
Annotated Photopages: WWII | Korea | Vietnam | Post-Vietnam & Retirement | Roots
LRC
on the Flight Line at Cam Ranh Bay
This photo was taken sometime during 1965-1966
when LRC was commanding the 12th Tactical FighterWing which
was the first operational combat F-4 wing in the USAF. I don't know the
identity of the pilot with whom LRC is standing.
Fast Mover
Click on this link to view an animated gif generated from a film of one of LRC's combat missions. The footage was originally shot by his wingman as a color 8mm movie film. I transferred this footage to video and used a video capture program to assemble a crude eight-frame sequence. The sequence shows an attack LRC made on a Viet Cong position with napalm. The sequence of stills is also shown. Note that the napalm canister is highlighted by a red circle in two of the still frames. The clip can also be downloaded as an avi.( lrcfly5.avi).
LRC
with Robert McNamara at Cam Ranh Bay, 1966
This is a photograph taken on Nov. 29, 1965 during
a visit by Defense Secretary Robert McNamara to the Base at Cam Ranh Bay
where LRC was commanding the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing.
LRC accepts a captured AK-47 from Brigadier General Pearson
of the 101st Airbone Division. This was the Screaming Eagles
way of saying thank you to LRC and the 12TFW for close ground
support provided during a particularly hot and heavy
engagement with enemy forces. I am still researching the particulars
of this story and will post what I know ASAP. Another visit by the brass to Cam Ranh Bay. This time LRC takes Gen. Westmoreland and
Admiral Sharpe on a tour of the facilities. LRC garnered a great deal of attention for
the job he did in overseeing the construction of the air base and commanding the 12th TFW
during its first year in Viet Nam. LRC was a flying commander and put in 132 combat
missions while in Viet Nam. He was also a stickler for proper maintenance of aircraft. I have it on first-hand
account from an e-mail I received from a Cam Ranh Bay veteran that LRC on once kept Gen. Westmoreland circling in a traffic
pattern while he finished flight testing a just-repaired F4-C. LRC caught on film in a rare relaxed moment during his Vietnam tour.
This photo was taken at the Officer's Club at Cam Ranh Bay. The facilities at CRB helped
make the rigors of a tour of duty in Vietnam a bit more bearable for all the
pilots and airmen.
The series of photos above was taken on the occasion
of LRC's 500th career combat mission when he was Commander 12 TFW at Cam Ranh
Bay 1965-66. He is shown taxiing in and deplaning following the mission
and accepting a plaque presented by his officers and airmen. Please click
on the pictures to view full-size versions. Use the back button on your
browser to return here.
LRC returned stateside from Viet Nam in November
1966 to a hero's welcome in his hometown of Cortland, N.Y. The occasion was marked by another "Levi
R.Chase day". This was early enough in the anti-war period that
disaffection over the Viet Nam war had not become widespread or intense
among the general population. There was little anti-war protest to mar
the events of the weekend which included a parade, testimonial dinner and
dinner dance. The pride, affection and respect the people of his hometown
had for him was quite evident. The first photo shows LRC and Mrs. Chase at the outset of the parade. The second photo shows LRC
relaxing and shooting the breeze with friends at the house of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Ames,
with whom we stayed during the visit.
Thank you from the Screaming Eagles
LRC with General Westmoreland
Kicking Back at the "O" Club
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by Thomas E. Chase © 1998
tec1212@brookings.net
