On This Day in History

  1964: During the early morning hours, the Viet Cong attack Bien Hoa AB with mortars. The Viet Cong kill four and wound 30 Americans. Additionally, they destroy 7 and damage 18 USAF and Vietnamese […]

1918: Known as the “Ace of Aces” for that conflict, Capt Edward V. Rickenbacker shoots down his 26th and final enemy aircraft of World War I.

1965: C-130s begin carrying fuel, ammunition, and supplies to Pleiku for the defense of the camp from North Vietnamese attacks. For the next 29 days, the C-130s move 186 tons a day to support the

1954: Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., becomes the USAF’s first African American general officer.

1944: The first US Army aircraft to be stationed in the Philippines since 1942 land on the Tacloban airstrip. The 34 P-38s of the 9th Fighter Squadron refuel at once, and before the end of

1925: The court-martial of Brigadier General William “Billy” Mitchell for insubordination begins. He is found guilty on 17 Dec and sentenced to five years’ suspension from active duty without pay or allowances. After reviewing the

  1957: FIRST CASUALTIES FROM VIETNAM. Eight US servicemen injured in an explosion in Saigon are evacuated to Clark Air Base for treatment at the 6208th USAF Hospital.

1965: Gen Curtis E. LeMay, former Chief of Staff, receives the 1965 Collier Trophy, American aviation’s highest honor.

1944: RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES. Southwest Pacific Area forces land unopposed at two points. Gen Douglas MacArthur, accompanied by President Sergio Osmena, lands in the 24th Infantry Division area and delivers his “I have returned”

1968: Maj William J. Knight receives the Harmon International Aviator’s Trophy for 1967 as the world’s outstanding pilot for flying X-15 No. 2 to 4,520 MPH (Mach 6.72). (Oct 3, 1967 Photo-USAF)