MAKO69 186 Posted May 10, 2017 10 MAY 1972 U.S. Air Force and Navy flyers have the largest air battle of the Vietnam Conflict downing more North Vietnamese Migs than any other air battles. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NdOqdsFbGQg https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YfQVehFjvaI 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+streakeagle 871 Posted May 10, 2017 Unfortunately, this date also marks the anniversary of the death of Major Lodge in one of the air battles from that day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toryu 156 Posted May 10, 2017 Seems like he could have ejected, but chose to ride it in, due to his knowledge about Combat Tree. His GIB (Roger Locher) was rescued, and what a rescue-ordeal that turned out to become! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capitaine Vengeur 263 Posted May 12, 2017 That day, Lt Randy 'Duke' Cunningham, VF-96, emerged as the first US ace pilot since the Korean War. He also ended the hectic day proving his worth as a competition swimmer when his F-4 turned into a one-way submarine. He just missed out by little on the Medal Of Honor, yet became the incarnation of the American hero America missed so much in those days. Later, he became a very unpleasant Congressman, and the incarnation of the crooked politician, and deserved every minute of his jail term. Wartime can reveal how much some people can be extraordinary, while return to peace later reveals how actually the same war heroes can finally be very, very common men. See 'Pappy' Boyington... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toryu 156 Posted May 13, 2017 Cunningham was a good, very determined pilot with a very eager attitude. All that made him a great fighter-pilot (though one might argue that he was over-zealous and his carelessness caused his SAM-hit). What some people have reported about him, though, also makes it pretty clear that he also was full of crap. His whole "Col. Tomb/ Toon" story was completely made-up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
