May 2023
This pic was taken on the flight line at NKP AB Thailand the evening of 20 May 1972…The survivor was an F-4 pilot who was shot down over north Viet Nam about 20 miles west of Hanoi. Lots of smiling faces when we rescued a fellow airman from the clutches of the bad guys in combat. From left to right are: 1Lt Lance Smith, Sandy pilot: survivor 1Lt John Markel, F-4 pilot from Udorn and Triple Nickel, 1Lt Byron Hook Hukee, Sandy 10: 1Lt Tex Brown, Sandy 4: Capt Ron Smith, Sandy 9.
About the Guest
Lt Gen Richard E. "Tex" Brown
Tex Brown was raised a preacher’s kid, then attended TCU to play baseball, but graduated in 1970 as an Air Force officer going to pilot training. After receiving his silver wings he flew the A-1 Skyraider for 1 year in combat in Southeast Asia and was awarded 3 Silver Stars and 8 Distinguished Flying Crosses. Later he commanded an F-16 squadron in Germany and then 2 Wings and much later the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph AFB.