Roy Spencer
Vietnam, Veteran-Air Force, Pilot
F4-D, Crew, of Heros
Major, Robert H. Irwin, pilot and Capt., Edwin A. Hawley Jr., weapons/systems operator, were dispatched, on a combat mission, in their F4D, aircraft, over North Vietnam, on February 17, 1972. At a point, about 15, miles west, of the city of Vinh, in Quang Binh Province, their aircraft was shot down. Capt., Hawley, being the rear-seater, ejected, from the aircraft first. It was, standard procedure, for the pilot to eject second. Therefore, it was not uncommon, for the crewmembers, to be separated, on the ground. Capt., Hawley, was captured, by the North Vietnamese and spent, the next year in prison camps, in and around Hanoi. On February 14, 1973, he was released, still showing signs of the injuries, he suffered, when he ejected, from his aircraft. Capt., Hawley, in his debriefing, stated, that he believed his pilot, was dead. No details, of this briefing, is publicly available, as much of it is still classified. Maj., Robert H. Irwin remained, Missing in Action. In late November, 1989, it was announced, that remains, had been returned, to U.S. control, by the Vietnamese and these remains, had been positively identified, as being those, of Major, Robert H. Irwin.
Jun 29, 2007 |
