On May 17, 1972, Sgt. James Lathon, age 23 and SSgt. Raymond Daubendiek, age 33, were killed while saving the lives of two fellow airmen.
SSgt RAYMOND DAUBENDIEK
Sgt JAMES LATHAM
Mr. SAMARN BEONSARI
Mr. KARNCHIT PATIFASNA
Mr. NIPHON WANARAT
Mr. TAVIL TESKAUJANA
Both were
members of the USAF Crash Rescue crew stationed at Korat Air Base in Thailand
during Operation Linebacker. At about 0710, a fully-armed F-105G "Wild
Weasel" aircraft carrying AGM-45 Shrike Missiles, made a crash landing at
Korat RTAFB. Due to a left main gear collapse, the aircraft slid to a stop
igniting its fuel in the 450 gallon left inboard tank.
Sgt. Lathon
and SSgt. Daubendiek, along with other crash crew members, were instrumental in
getting the cockpit canopies off and unbuckling the crew. They yanked the crew
out and got them safely away from the burning aircraft, and suppressed most of
the fire. However, after about 8 minutes following the arrival of the fire
crew, the AGM-45 warhead on the left side of the aircraft detonated. In the
blast and shrapnel, Sgt. Lathon, SSgt. Daubendiek and four Royal Thai Air Force
personnel were killed outright. Twelve other crash crew members were injured -
some were horribly maimed. Sgt. Lathon, SSgt. Daubendiek and the other members
of the crash crew acted in the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force. On
that bright, sunny May afternoon, they unselfishly gave of themselves so others
might live. "You are only forgotten when you are no longer remembered -
and we will never forget." written by Paul Glascock, SSgt., USAF, 388th
Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat RTAFB, Thailand.
