The photo, and the words below are from
William H. Ritzmann, Jr. Lieutenant Commander, USN(Ret),
for which "thank you" is far insufficient.... If it wasn't for the air support from these fine men, I would not be typing this today. (RA)
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Det A-101 Lang Vei
William Craig *
Nicholas Fragos *
Kenneth Hanna (KIA)
James Holt (MIA)
Joel Johnson
William McMurry (POW)
Daniel Phillips (MIA)
Emanuel Phillips *
Thomas Todd (attached)
Miles Wilkins
Det A-113 12th Co MSF
Harvey Brande (POW
Earl Burke (KIA)
John Early
Charles Lindewald (KIA)
Paul Longgrear
Leslie Moreland (MIA)
Forward Air Controller
* Deceased as of 7-05
Last November, Attack Squadron 25, (VA-25), United States Navy,
held a reunion in Pensacola, Florida. We, the veterans of the squadron,
are under the impression that VA-25, (now redesignated VFA-25),
has the longest continuous service of any squadron serving aboard
Aircraft Carriers in the Navy today. The history of the squadron may
be found at; http://www.fistofthefleet.org/ .
Why am I telling you this? The Squadron call-sign is "Canasta".
Toby Rushforth in his FAC Perspective of the Battle of Lang Vei,
referred to our A-1's as the "Canasta Flights". I am one of twelve
of our pilots that flew sorties from the USS Coral Sea to the Lang
Vei Special Forces Camp on February 7, 1968.
You probably do not know how pleased all of us in the squadron
were, when the news came back to the ship that, "The survivors
that were trapped in the bunker, had managed to vacate the bunker
and run down the road to Khe Sanh".
I wish to take this opportunity to thank you, and the other members of
your detachment for your service to our country.......God Speed.
Sincerely,
William H. Ritzmann, Jr.
Lieutenant Commander, USN(Ret)
First, although I ventured into "Harms Way" periodically, ("it was
my job"), I always considered; Medics/Corpsman, Rescue Helo
Pilots and Crewmen, Special Forces/Seals, and Forward Air
Controllers on a higher rung of the "Ladder of Risk" than I ever
was. Again, thank you for your service to our country.
Secondly, the research of the on-line documentation, (including the
post war testimony of the North Vietnamese), that we did to prepare
our presentation at last Novembers Reunion, persuaded some of
us that the Battle of Lang Vei was arguably as pivotal as say, the
Battle of the Bulge in WWII. Therefore, we are kind of proud we
were able to do what we were trained for in support of your efforts.
Sadly, I do not have any photos of the Lang Vei area on the battle
day. Nor do I think any of my squadron mates had any time to snap
any pics either. The type of runs we made under the overcast were
too much of a handful to permit me the use of a camera. Due to the
number of assets that were there when I arrived, I was directed to
make a single pass, and salvo my two Mk 117's and six Mk71's "on
the bunker". I did however, notice two of the tanks that were
destroyed and numerous bodies on the ground. I could not tell
whether those bodies were friendly, enemy, or alive during my one
pass.
I have attached a pic, "NL405onCVA43". I believe it was taken to
recognize the young man, Ltjg. Ted Hill, as the pilot of the last A-1
Skyraider attack mission in the U.S. Navy. After his mission on
February 20, 1968, all other Close Air Support and Rescue Combat
Air Patrol missions were flown by the USAF Sandy Skyraiders. A
few days later, the Coral Sea and its Air Wing departed for home
via The Sea of Japan to "show the flag" during the USS Pueblo
incident.
In the picture I have been able to identify the fourteen squadron pilots
who flew in the six missions in support of the battle. I've italicised the
numbers of their flight, the position in that flight and a time. (ie. "(1-2-0100)",
indicates the first flight - wing position - approximate time each flight
came under the FAC's control). The listing below, identifies each pilot
that flew in our six support missions.
The picture is from the USS Coral Sea, CVA-43, taken circa February 21,
1968. The occasion was a presentation to Ltjg. Ted Hill, for piloting the
final combat mission of VA-25, in the last U.S Navy, A-1H/J Skyraider,
Canasta 405, Bureau (Serial) Number 135300. The pic includes all the VA-25
squadron pilots and the other officers in the squadron.
Presenting the award to Ltjg. Ted Hill, (6-4,1500), (standing center),
are (standing left), Cdr. Cliff Church, CO VA-25, (3-1-0945) and
(standing right), Capt Bill Shawcross CO, USS Coral Sea, CVA-43.
Sitting on the wing are(l to r) Lcdr. Carter Moser, Lcdr. Ralph Smith,
(5-1-1330), Lt. Al Nichols, (5-2-1330), Ltjg. Bob Hagen, (3-2-0945),
Ltjg. Bruce Marcus, (4-2-1215), and Lt McGee.
Standing in same order, CDR Stu Skelton, XO, (6-1-1500), Lt.
Zip Rausa, (1-1-0730), Ltjg. Dale Pellot, (2-2-0930), Lcdr Speed
Ritzmann, (4-1-1215), Ltjg. Larry Gardiner, (1-2-0730), Ltjg. Chuck
Thom, (2-1-0930), Lcdr. Ron Bolt, (6-3-1500), Lcdr. Jack McDermott,
and Ltjg Jay Stone. Missing from the photo is Lt. Jack Jordan, (6-2-1500).
Toby, It would appear from your e-mail that Bruce Marcus and I
checked in with the FAC about 1215, which would be after you
departed at 1100. It's doubtful we shared air space with you then.
My log book indicates I flew Canasta 405 in the pic above on that mission.
As an aside, that airplane was in the flight that scored the first air-to-air
cannon kill of a North Vietnamese MiG in June of 1965. Since Canasta
405, (Bureau Number 135300), flew the last Skyraider attack mission,
it was retired and now sits in the Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola.
(They still allow us that flew her to climb into the cockpit when we visit.)