US Air Force Birthday
United States Air Force!!
On September 18, 1947 the US Air Force was officially created, and today the Air Force turns 65. The Vietnam Center & Archive would like to wish the Air Force a very Happy Birthday, and to thank all the service men and women past and present for their service and sacrifice.
In honor of the Air Force's 64th birthday, please enjoy a few Air Force items from the Vietnam Archive's collections.
Oral Histories
OH0067 - John Spey
(USAF) John "Jack" Spey served with the United States Air Force in Vietnam and Laos from 1962 to 1966 and from 1971 to 1974, respectfully. During his first tour he flew defoliation missions as a part of Operation RANCH HAND. During his second tour he served as the senior USAF Advisor to the Royal Lao Air Force and Chief of Combat Operations, US Air Attaches Office in Vientiane, Laos, and included Project 404 operations.
OH0122 - Calvin Chapman
(USAF) Dr. Calvin Chapman served with the United States Air Force in Vietnam from 1965 to 1966. He served as a Flight Surgeon and Commander of the 3rd Tactical Dispensary at Bien Hoa Air Base.
OH0433 - John Yuill
(USAF) John Yuill was born in Boswell IN in 1934, and enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 19. After Basic Training at Lackland AFB TX and Advanced Training at the Navigation School, Harlingen AFB TX, John was commissioned in 1955. He served with the Ferry Command until 1958, when he undertook pilot training at Bainbridge GA and Enid OK, and advanced pilot training at Perrin AFB TX. In 1960 he joined the Strategic Air Command as a bomber pilot, flying all SAC aircraft including the B-58 and B-52. John flew from SAC bases at Altus AFB OK and Grissom AFB IN before his two Vietnam tours: 1970-71 flying C-130 aircraft from Ton Son Nhut, and 1972 flying B-52 aircraft from Guam and Utapao, Thailand. John's B-52 was shot down over North Vietnam during Linebacker II, and he was held as a POW in Hanoi until his release in March 1973. John retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, and remains active with POW and USAF veterans' organizations.
Moving Images
038VI0254 - Jungle Doctor (United States Air Force Film)
Unofficial USAF MEDCAP operations conducted out of Bien Hoa by Dr. Calvin Chapman. [Calvin Chapman Collection]
Artifacts
Images
Vietnam Center & Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive
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Address
Texas Tech University, Box 41041, Lubbock, TX 79409 -
Phone
(806)742-9010 -
Email
vnca@ttu.edu