Roy Spencer
Vietnam, Veteran-Air Force Pilot
F4D, Heros
Capt., Lonnie P. Bogard, had celebrated his birthday, the day, before he was assigned, a night, low-level, reconnaissance mission, along the Ho Chi Minh, trail, on May 12, 1972. Bogard was, the pilot and 1Lt., William H. Ostermeyer, the electronics officer, comprising the crew, of an F4D, Phantom. The mission went according, to plan, until, after a scheduled, mid-air refueling, after which radio contact, was lost, with the aircraft. At last contact, Bogard and Ostermeyer were near, the Ban Karai Pass, in Savannakhet, Province, Laos. The Ban Karai Pass, was one, of several passageways, through the mountainous, border, of Vietnam and Laos. American aircrafts flying, from Thailand, to missions over North Vietnam, flew through them, regularly and many aircrafts, were lost. On the Laos, side, of the border, coursed the "Ho Chi Minh Trail," a road heavily traveled, by North, Vietnamese troops, moving materiel and personnel, to their destinations, through the relative safety, of neutral Laos. The return ratio, of men lost, in and around the passes, is far lower than that, of those men lost, in more populous areas, even though, both were shot down, by the same enemy and the same weapons. This is partly due, to the extremely, rugged terrain and resulting difficulty, in recovery. The U.S., Air Force, placed Bogard and Ostermeyer, in the category, of Missing in Action. The Defense, Intelligence Agency, (DIA.) further refined, that category to include, the likelihood of enemy knowledge, classifying, Bogard and Ostermeyer, as Category 4. Category 4, includes those individuals, on whom no intelligence exists, to support the belief, that the enemy knew details, of the loss, or individuals, whose loss time and location, are unknown. The families, of Bogard and Ostermeyer, understood, that the two, could have been captured, by either Pathet, Lao forces, or North Vietnamese and waited, for the war to end. When the Prisoners, of War returned, neither Bogard, or Ostermeyer, were among them.
Jul 26, 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
Jun 20, 2007 |
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Martha Raiford
mraiford@i-55.com
He is one, of my adopted, POW/MIA's..
118, Cleveland Rd.,
Amite, La., 70422, USA
In Remembrance
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Lane/6192/InRemembrance.html
I would appreciate, any other information, on this hero.
Sunday, May 28, 2000 |
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Jack Utter
Ckweaver@worldnet.att.net
York Havne, PA., 17370, USA
I'm a In-Country, 'Nam Vet. I was given, Lonnie Bogard's MIA., bracelet, back in '83 and have worn it, ever since! If a family member, wants it, just contact me and I will send it, to you, free. I will still wear it, 'till they bring him home, one way, or the other. Just, because the Government, "declared," the MIA's., "dead bodies not recoverd," doesn't mean, I've given up! "ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL!" Bring 'em home, or send me back! Viet Nam, '71-72, Northern I, Corp, Door Gunner/Crew Chief, UH-1H, 173rd, Assault, Helicopter Co., 1st, Aviation Brigade.
Sunday, February 27, 2000 |
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Pat Preston
preston@intertek.net
Belleville, IL., 62226, USA
When I was, in Junior High, I marched, for the vietnam veterans. I had my bracelet, that had the name, Capt., Lonnie Pat Bogard, on it. I kept it, for over, 25, years. Due, to a recent robbery, in my home, my jewelry box was emptied and it was taken, at that time. I had hoped, that some day, this man, would return home. I think, about him and pray, for him. I would dearly love, to have my bracelet, replaced. Ther is no hope, of it being returned. Please pray, for everyone, that did not, come home.
Thursday, February 10, 2000 |
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Donna Guzek
Hopatcong, NJ., 07843, USA
God Bless, a Hero
I have had, a POW/MIA., bracelet, with the name of Lonnie Pat Bogard, since I was around, 12, years old. I recently, found the bracelet, in an old jewelry box and was curious, to find out anything, about this man. I also hoped, that one day, I would come to learn, that he might have been, an MIA., eventually found and brought back home. I can't express, how I felt, when I just, recently found out, through a Vietnam, Memorial web site, that this war hero, had died, in action. My heart sank and I cried, for someone, I never knew, but always kept close, in heart, with hope, that someday, he would come home from such a travesty named, the Vietnam War. My only hope is, that he is, at peace and in God's hands.
Sunday, January 23, 2000 |
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Tammy Steele
dreamerth@aol.com
child-hood hoper
139, boone Road, Lexington, SC., 29073, USA
When I was around, 10, or 11, years old, my mother gave me, a vietnam, ID., band. My name was, Capt., Lonnie Pat Bogard. I do not, remember, if the bands were, to give you a name, to pray for, or if it was, for a lost solder. I just know, that for the past, 25, years, I held on to this band and this name, not until today, have I known what happened, to Maj., Bogard. I feel as if, I have lost someone, dear, to me. All the men & women of vietnam, was dear, I did not know this man, but he was and will always be, in my heart. My hat, is off, to you!
Saturday, July 31, 1999 |
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