| Date: 24 October 1969 |
| Aircraft type: F-100F Super Sabre |
| Serial Number: 56-3887 |
| Military Unit: 309 TFS, 31 TFW |
| Service: USAF |
| Home Base: Tuy Hoa |
| Name(s): |
| 1Lt A D Muller (Survived) |
| Capt J K Clapper (Survived) |
| Aircraft type: HH-3E Jolly Green Giant |
| Serial Number: 66-13281 |
| Military Unit: 37 ARRS, 3 ARRG |
| Service: USAF |
| Home Base: Da Nang |
| Name(s): |
| Capt Charles D Langham (Survived) |
| Maj Charles W Bond (Survived) |
| SSgt James E Smith (Survived) |
| TSgt Donald G Smith (Survived) |
| A Misty FAC was flying over the complex road and trail network in southern Laos on the search for possible targets when it ran into ground fire. As the aircraft (call sign Misty 11) approached the village of Ban Bouang Nam, 20 miles southeast of Ban Talan, it was hit by enemy fire at 1,500 feet and the crew ejected immediately. The pair evaded capture and were found by a HH-3E (Jolly Green 28) flown by Capt Charles Langham and Maj Charles Bond from the 37th ARRS. 1Lt Muller had a broken leg so the PJ, TSgt Donald Smith, was lowered to the ground to prepare him for the stretcher hoist. As they were being lifted into the helicopter enemy troops began firing and the hoist was damaged. Smith and Muller had to be cut free and they both fell back into the jungle as Jolly Green 28 escaped to make an emergency landing in a clearing about a mile away. The helicopter crew was quickly rescued by another HH-3E (66-13290) flown by Lt Richard V Butchka, USCG but Jolly Green 28 had to be destroyed by strike aircraft to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. For the next few hours TSgt Smith protected 1Lt Muller, directed air strikes on enemy positions and defended against enemy attack. A HH-53 from the 40th ARRS was damaged trying to rescue the two men still on the ground and had to make an emergency landing in Saravane, Laos. A HH-3E from the 37th ARRS then rescued TSgt Smith and 1Lt Muller and a HH-3E from the 40th ARRS rescued Capt Clapper under intense ground fire. TSgt Donald Smith later received the Air Force Cross for his actions for his actions on the ground. |
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