Roy Spencer
Vietnam Veteran-Air Force Pilot
B-52 Crew of Heroes
On the first day of Linebacker II, December 18, 129 B52s arrived over Hanoi in three waves, four to five hours apart. They attacked the airfields at Hoa Lac, Kep and Phuc Yen, the Kinh No complex and the Yen Vien railyards. The pilots of the early missions reported that 'wall-to-wall SAMS' surrounded Hanoi as they neared its outskirts. The first night of bombing, December 18, saw the operation's first casualties. Charcoal 01, a B52G, flown by LtCol. Donald L. Rissi. The crew of the aircraft included its pilot and Commander, LTCOL Donald L. Rissi and crewmen Maj. Richard E. Johnson, the radar navigator Capt. Richard T. Simpson, electronics warfare officer Capt. Robert G. Certain, the navigator 1Lt. Robert J. Thomas, the co-pilot and Sgt. Walter L. Ferguson, the gunner. Just seconds to reaching the bomb-release point over the Yen Vien rail yards, B52G Charcoal 01 was hit simultaneously by two SAMs. Less than a minute later the aircraft nosed down, crashed and exploded ten miles northwest of Hanoi. It was the first casualty of the LINEBACKER II operation, and its fate would be shared by fourteen other crews in the next eleven nights of combat. Certain, Simpson and Johnson were captured and shown the bodies of the other crew members. Certain, Simpson and Johnson were held prisoner in Hanoi until March 29, 1973, when they were released in Operation Homecoming. Six years later, the bodies of Rissi, Thomas and Ferguson were returned to U.S. control by the Vietnamese.
Dec 18, 2012 |
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James Kenney
Raven623@aol.com
Replaced crew mate friend
230 Devron Circle East Peoria IL 61611 USA
Thank You
Robert, I did not learn you were the copilot's replacement on the crew until only recently. Terry and I were taken off Don's crew and decertified through a series of bureaucratic FUBAR's during our training in upstate New York. We were to have been on Don's crew that December 18, 1972. I was devastated to learn of the crew's fate. Terry and I were supposed to be on that plane. We trained with Don, Fergie and the others. Only years later, did I learn that you were on that plane and Derrick Thomase's father. All those years I admired his accomplishments with the Kansas City Chiefs and never knew he was the son of a man on a plane I was supposed to be on that was downed over North Viet Nam on December 18, 1972. Please know, that I will forever remember your ultmate sacrifice, as well as Don's and Fergie's. Not a December 18, or Memorial Day goes by that I don't think of you guys and know that I was given another year that was taken away from you, Don and Fergie. I love and miss each of you, 'Jay.'
Jun 4, 2010 |
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You are not Forgotten
 
Memorial at former Blytheville (Eaker) AFB, Arkansas
Nov 11, 2009
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Carrie Snyder
crystalce@yahoo.com
Albany NY 12306
Looking Down
I hope that you and Derrick will be looking down tomorrow as your grandson accepts his father's induction into the Football Hall of Fame. You are heroes both...you on the battlefield and Derrick as a philanthropist helping the children of Kansas City. You both gave so much to better the lives of those in this country. Tomorrow belongs to all of Derrick's family, both those here on earth and those of you in the heavens.
Aug 7, 2009 |
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Garnet Jenkins
garijen@bresnan.net
Grand Junction Co
~In Remembrance of a Fallen Hero~
In Honor of your Service and with So Much Gratitude for your Courage and Dedication to our Country and for Freedom. Rest in Peace, Capt Robert James Thomas and know that you will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. I am the sister of Sgt. David Dickinson, who also made the Supreme Sacrifice in Vietnam in 1967..... 'I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH' ~ Timothy 2:4:7 ~
Jul 22, 2008 |
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Malcolm Kirby
mlkdrk@earthlink.net
USAF Veteran
Rest in Peace, my Brother
You will not be forgotten...
Dec 19, 2007 |
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manny g
Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe
Union Gap, WA. 98903
“You are Remembered”
Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. "He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother”. Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless You for your Sacrifice!!!
Dec 18, 2007 |
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Phillip thomas
nephew
ahskie nc 27910 ahoskie
i miss you
hey uncle I thank you for giving up your life for me
and our folks Im doing my best like you would want me to do LOVE MEMORIE LIE ABOVE YOU SO YOU DWELL
FOREVER !
Oct 17, 2007 |
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Bill Gallensein
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 14, 2007 |
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Larnie McClung
NC-071@afjrotc.net
Friend & Fellow B-52 Aviator
6764 Reaford Rd Fayetteville NC 28304 U. S
Commemoration on 18 December 2006 JROTC classroom
Bob, the NC-071 AFJROTC A-Flight and Instructor, Lt Col Larnie McClung USAF, (Ret) commemorate your service and ultimate sacrifice. On the 34th Anniversary, 18 December 2006, we discussed the circumstances surrounding your death and the 11 days of Christmas/Operation Linebacker II. First Lieutinent Larnie McClung was the navigator on Charcoal 2 in your B-52 cell. As a friend and fellow aviator, Lt Col McClung often thinks about you, especially on every 18 December. God rest your soul.
Dec 18, 2006 |
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