Roy Spencer
Vietnam Veteran-Air Force Pilot
F4 Hero
Then Lt. Col. John W. Armstrong was the Commander of the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron based at DaNang Airbase, South Vietnam. On 9 November 1967, Lt. Col. Armstrong, pilot and Capt. Lance P. Sijan, co-pilot comprised the crew of an F4C, call sign 'AWOL 01,' that departed their base as the lead aircraft in a flight of two. They were on a Forward Air Control (FAC)/strike mission against enemy targets along a portion of the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail located in extremely rugged jungle covered mountains approximately 35 miles southwest of Dong Hoi, North Vietnam 3 miles northwest of Ban Loboy and 5 miles southwest of the Lao/North Vietnamese border, Khammouan Province, Laos. This area of eastern Laos was considered a major artery of the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail. When North Vietnam began to increase its military strength in South Vietnam, NVA and Viet Cong troops again intruded on neutral Laos for sanctuary, as the Viet Minh had done during the war with the French some years before. This border road was used by the Communists to transport weapons, supplies and troops from North Vietnam into South Vietnam, and was frequently no more than a path cut through the jungle covered mountains. US forces used all assets available to them to stop this flow of men and supplies from moving south into the war zone. At 2045 hours, on the second pass over the target, the aircraft was hit by hostile fire, was seen to burst into flames and began to climb to approximately 10,000 feet, then rapidly descend and crash into the dense jungle below. No parachutes were seen in the darkness and no emergency beepers heard. Search and rescue (SAR) efforts were immediately initiated and voice contact was established with Lance Sijan almost immediately. No contact could be established with Lt. Col. Armstrong. Because of heavy enemy activity around the crash site, SAR personnel were unable to reach Capt. Sijan and were unable to locate any sign of Lt. Col. Armstrong. At the time formal search efforts were terminated, both John Armstrong and Lance Sijan were listed Missing in Action.
Jun 7, 2012 |
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Bob Stanton
nysdeerhntr@gmail.com
Fellow American
Saratoga Springs NY USA
Birthday Wishes
Happy Birthday John. You would be 85 years old today. You are thought of and prayed for today. You have not been forgotten on your birthday. Rest well Hero. You are remembered.
Dec 5, 2011 |
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Janet Mosley
SOMEONE, WHO CARES
TO HONOR, A GREAT AMERICAN
Remembering your birthday, on this special day. You are, resting in a beautiful place, even though I'am sure, you, would rather be, with your family. You are with your Bros., from this war, my cousin included.
Nov 2, 2010 |
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Kilgore, Tx.
Remembrance
Honoring, another young hero, on his special day. Thank you, for your dedication and service, to our nation. Yes Marine, you did, make a difference. May God bless and keep you and hold you, in His loving arms. I have, a special love and compassion, for the POW/MIA. and their families. My brother, Maj., Arthur Baker was, MIA., in Laos, for over 40, Yr's.. Rest in peace, John Armstrong, YOU, ARE NOT FORGOTTEN!!!
Dec 5, 2008 |
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Malcolm Kirby
mlkdrk@earthlink.net
USAF Veteran
Rest in Peace, my Brother
You will not be forgotten...
Dec 5, 2007 |
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Bill Gallenstein
USAF Veteran
Zephyrhills FL 33541 USA
A very proud cold war USAF veteran remembers you on this day. My God bless you and your family always. I salute you, Thank you.
Jul 24, 2007 |
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Tamara Blackburn
Galrand, Tx., 75044, USA
Honored, to your story.
My daughter, goes, to the Elementary School, named for John, in Garland Tx.. We feel blessed, that our child goes, to a school, named, after you. They teach, of your service, to your family, friends and country and honor, your memory, every day. It is because, of your high, character and loving friends, that petitioned, the school district, to have a new, school named, for you. In 2002, the new, Elementary school, was named, after you. Your legacy will, live on and teach youngsters, of your virtues and honor.
Apr 1, 2007 |
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Manuel Pino 2/8 Bco 1st Cav-68-69
mpjr54@msn.com
Fellow Vietnam Vet
OH!. I HAVE SLIPPED THE SURLEY BONDS OF EARTH, AND DANCED THE SKIES ON LAUGHTER-SILVERED WINGS. WHERE NEVER LARK OR EAGLE EVER FLEW-AND WHILE WITH SILENT, LIFTING MIND I'VE TROD THE HIGH UNTRESSPASSED SANCTITY OF SPACE, PUT OUT MY HAND AND TOUCHED THE FACE OF GOD.
Friday, June 16, 2006 |
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MARLA JOINES
"MR. ANDERSON'S HISTORY STUDENT"
SAM HOUSTON, HIGH SCHOOL, 2000, SAM HOUSTON DR., ARLINGTON, TX., 76014, TARRANT
"MY ADOPTED MIA."
O5, JOHN ARMSTRONG, MY NAME IS, MARLA JOINES. I'M A 1999, JUNIOR, AT SAM HOUSTON, HIGH SCHOOL, IN ARLINGTON, TEXAS. AS PART, OF A CLASS ASSIGNMENT, ON VIETNAM'S MIA'S., I LEARNED, YOUR STORY AND SHARED IT, WITH MY CLASSMATES. I LEARNED, OF YOUR SACRIFICE AND WILL REMEMBER YOU. Marla Joines
Saturday, April 24, 1999 |
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Robert Tripp
rtripp@cogeco.ca
Greater love, hath no man, than this, that he lay, down his life, for his friends.
Thursday, February 10, 2005 |
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