Eagle Three fired on the first A-37. When the tracers streaked past his canopy, he dove to the tree tops and avoided being hit.
As Eagle Three closed on the next A-37, he centered his gun site and fired.
“Ah, shit! Man,” Ralph yelled.
Just as Eagle Three fired, Eddie’s Phantom blasted in front of him. The burst of 20-mm cannon fire ripped through the entire left side of Eddie’s plane. Still, three rounds missed Eddie’s plane and struck the A-37. One hit behind the pilot seat, a second slammed through the wing root and into the engine, and the third passed through the tail.
Eddie had sufficient airspeed and power to pull up sharply and climb to a safe altitude.
The A-37 pilot held his position in formation as he made a quick systems check. His left engine lost oil pressure and had to be shut down, but he continued to press his attack on the gun emplacements.
“Donevant’s hit! Donevant’s hit!” someone in Condor Flight radioed.
“. . . Smoky, cut the chatter,” Hank was finally able to broadcast.
The radio traffic fell silent for a few seconds.
“Smoky, Condor Two. Raise Condor Lead and check his damage.”
“Roger. He’s climbing, but trailing smoke. I’ll stay with him on GUARD.”
“Rog. Break. Eagle Three, wherever the hell you are, RT fuck’en B.”
“Eagle Three, Smoky. We can escort Condor Lead back.”
“Condor Lead sees you, you’ll be another smok’en hole in the ground. Now get your ass back to wherever the fuck you came from.”
Eddie’s radio was silent as he called, “MAYDAY! MAYDAY! MAYDAY! This is Condor Lead. Engine out. Smoke in the cockpit. MAYDAY! MAYDAY! This is Phantom Condor Lead inbound to Ubon with battle damage.”
“All this radio stack is shot, man. That’s where all the smoke is coming from,” Ralph said.
“We’re going for altitude. Anything that’s burning will go out.”
“We need to get out. This thing’s coming apart around us.”
“I’m not punching out over Cambodia, Ralph. You’ll just have to start fixing stuff back there.”
As they climbed through 20,000 feet the plane started shaking, but three fire lights went out. Hydraulic pressure continued to fall, as did the oil pressure on the right engine. After several minutes of checking, Eddie leveled off at 25,000 and was able to maintain 425 knots of airspeed.
Eddie glanced to his left and saw his wingman looking him over. His wingman pointed to his survival radio and Eddie switched that on.
“You’re all shot to shit, boss. And you’re leaking fuel and hydraulic fluid.”
“That’ll quit soon. Most of my instruments are gone, though. And there’s a fire in my radio stack.”
“What have you got left?”
“Fuel gauges. I’ll make it in on what I’ve got. Oil pressure is dropping in the right engine. Magnetic compass, airspeed indicator, and altimeter. I’m getting pressure lights on hydraulic, but that could be a line short.”
They both knew better. The hydraulic pressure was going fast and the oil pressure in the good engine was slowly, but steadily, falling. Soon the engine temperature would start to rise and then it would seize up and quit. If they made it to Ubon, would they have enough control left to land? Well, at least over Thailand they could safely punch out.
The Thai Air Force A-37’s hit the heavy weapons and missile batteries in three waves of four aircraft. While they bombed and strafed, the OV-10’s returned to attack the river banks where the small arms fire was coming from. During this close quarters air attack, the last two Jolly Greens were able to get up and out without taking any hits from heavy weapons.
One A-37 made a cluster bomb run on a SAM battery and was hit with a DASH-K when he climbed out. Hank watched the pilot climb to a safe altitude over the river, but he did not punch out of his burning aircraft. He rolled the plane over and dove into the firing DASH-K. The pilot knew he was on a fully deniable mission and would not be rescued. Neither did he want to be captured and held prisoner by the Communists.
UBON RTAFB
Mack Klevenger pulled up in his jeep and stood next to Colonel Waldrop.
“Landing west to east, Mack,” the colonel said.
“What’s that mean?”
“Means he probably won’t make the runway.”
“Who’s flying?”
“Lieutenant Donevant.”
Mack made a face, but said nothing. They both heard his condition. Fuel critical. Hydraulic pressure extremely low. Controls stiff. Smoke in the cockpit. No instruments. One engine out.
The colonel watched the approach through his binoculars and then picked up his radio. “Okay. Let’s get the gear and hook down.”
“Thought we’d come in gear up, since we don’t have the pressure to get them locked.”
“Bad choice, Donevant. You’re still leaking fuel and fluids. She’ll blow for sure. Use the air and blow the gear down.”
“Yes, sir.”
The wind whistled through the holes in the cockpit as Eddie and Ralph strong-armed the flight controls together. The plane shook as they fought to keep control.
“We’re not going to make it, Eddie,” Ralph said in a strained voice.
“Don’t crap out on me, Ralph,” Eddie shouted. “I’m gonna blow the gear. You drop the hook.”
With the gear and hook out, the crippled Phantom shook even harder.
“We’re losing it, man.”
The runway was rushing up to meet them. Eddie glanced at the airspeed indicator. Two hundred and fifty knots! “We’re hot. We’ll make it!”
“Oh! Shiiiiit!” Ralph screamed.
Adrenaline surged through Eddie’s body as the runway rushed up at the Phantom. Eddie hauled back on the stick and the nose came up, breaking the rate of descent. Still the Phantom slammed onto the end of the runway.
“He caught the wire!” Colonel Waldrop yelled and then sprinted back to his car.
Colonel Waldrop’s car slid to a stop in the grass next to the end of the runway. The fire equipment raced up just behind him and several firemen ran to the plane.
Colonel Waldrop ran over to the plane behind the silver-suited firemen and motioned for Eddie to open the canopy.
Eddie was still trying to follow the remainder of his shutdown checklist when the firemen blew the canopy off and dragged him from the plane. They put him on the ground next to an ambulance where the medics began to question him and check him over.
Colonel Waldrop stood watching as the medics made their checks of Eddie and Ralph. “What’s that smell?” the colonel asked.
“I, ah, shit on myself, sir,” Ralph said sheepishly. “I was really scared.”
Eddie heard a laugh behind him and saw Mack standing there.
“How are you doing, Eddie?” Mack asked with a broad smile.
“Soon as they dig my nuts outta my socks, I’ll let you know.”
“You’re lucky you caught the wire. No pressure to drop the gear means no pressure for brakes. Hot as you were on final you probably would have gone right on downtown,” the colonel commented.
“What happened? Ground fire?” Mack asked, not waiting for Eddie to reply to Colonel Waldrop.
“Na. Dumbshit here had a death wish,” Ralph spouted. “We jumped in front of another Phantom while he was making a cannon run on a flight of A-37’s. This was friendly fire.”
“What?!” Colonel Waldrop said, more a demand than a question.
Eddie stood up and shrugged. “One of Colonel Waters’ boys went guns on a flight of Colonel Suwit’s A-37’s. Two of the Jolly Greens got pinned down on the river by heavy weapons, so they came to bail us out. The FAC and I both ordered him to back off the attack, that they were friendlies, but he wouldn’t. I had to cut him off.”
“Where was
his flight leader?” the colonel asked sternly.
“Bingo fuel. Eagle Three was the only one who could stay for another few passes.”
Colonel Waldrop looked at Eddie and shook his head. “You’re either in for a medal or they’re gonna pull your wings. One of you - or both of you - are going to fry over this one.”
“Yes, sir,” Eddie nodded and then looked back at his shot-up Phantom. Two engines, all the radios, and most of the instruments were destroyed, plus there was major airframe damage. He saved this one just for the spare parts. And there weren’t many of those left on that wreck.
Marine SeaStallion helicopters evacuated all the Americans and a number of Cambodians from the embassy grounds, which was under near riot conditions. Weapons fire was exchanged with the Khmer Rouge on the embassy grounds right up until the last chopper lifted off. The scene was ugly, but the worst was yet to come.
The 40th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron evacuation of the ground teams resulted in two aircrew members killed and nine wounded. The ground teams they picked up suffered seven killed and three wounded. One Thai Air Force aircraft was lost along with the pilot and two A-37’s were damaged. One of those by Eagle Three.
UDORN RTAFB
WING HEADQUARTERS BUILDING
5:00 P.M.
The two pilots marched up to the polished wooden desk, stood at attention, and saluted. “Sir, Lieutenant Colonel Waters and First Lieutenant Lapresti, reporting as ordered.”
The Wing Commander returned their salutes and said, “Stand at ease, gentlemen.”
The Wing Commander then nodded to his administrative officer, who motioned the Wing Safety Officer, the Wing Operations Officer, and the base JAG to enter the office.
“All right, I believe we all know why we’re here. So, let me read the pertinent parts of this message from General Bellford,” the Wing Commander said as he stood behind his desk. “EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, 1LT LAPRESTI IS RELIEVED OF ALL FLYING DUTIES. HE WILL CONTINUE IN TDY STATUS AT YOUR STATION UNTIL AN INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETED AND A BOARD OF INQUIRY ISSUES ITS RECOMMENDATION.
“LTC WATERS WILL CONTINUE IN TDY STATUS AT YOUR STATION UNTIL AN INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETED AND A BOARD OF INQUIRY ISSUES ITS RECOMMENDATION.”
“The rest of the message details a five-man investigation team headed by the 13th Air Force IG. Colonel, I don’t know what possessed you to leave a single aircraft over the battle area, but the general is giving you the benefit of the doubt on that call.”
His eyes then shifted to Lieutenant Lepresti. The look he gave the young pilot left a chill in the room. He hesitated for a few brief seconds and then slowly and deliberately said, “You’re dismissed, Lieutenant.”
Lieutenant Lapresti immediately snapped to attention and saluted. The Wing Commander returned the salute and Lepresti did an about face and walked out the door.
The Wing Commander shook his head and then looked back at LTC Waters. “You look like hell, Tom. Sit down and have a drink.”
LTC Waters looked a bit confused at the sudden change in mood.
“Scotch and water?” someone behind him asked.
“Double. Make one for everyone,” the Wing Commander said with a grin and dropped into his chair.
Waters sat in a chair when he saw the others taking a seat. No one spoke until the drinks were handed out and then Waters broke the silence.
“Sir, I felt that leaving one bird to cover those two choppers was the right thing to do. Those were our guys on the ground and we were their only hope. Every second counted.”
The Wing Commander nodded. “Yea, I agree. It was the right thing to do. The general said the same thing. But Suwit is pitching a bitch. And he carries a lot of weight, both here and in Washington.”
“He still convinced he was right for firing on Suwit’s birds?” the safety officer asked.
Waters took a deep breath and said, “Yes, sir.”
“That little asshole,” the Wing Commander snapped. “He disobeyed two direct orders, damaged two aircraft, and insists he didn’t do a damn thing wrong. It’s his arrogance over the whole thing that really pisses me off.”
“It was his first time in combat. I should never have left him alone ––”
“Tom, we train these kids and we establish rules of engagement. He blew it all by himself. If we can’t put him out there alone, we can’t have him on the team.”
Waters looked down at his drink. “What’s he looking at?”
“He loses his wings. Suwit wants a court-martial, but the mission was too hot for that. Still, his career is finished.”
“And the other guy? Donevant?”
The Wing Commander shrugged. “General Bellford likes him. They pulled him from a special intelligence assignment just to fly the mission. He’s back on that assignment right now. My guess is he’ll get a promotion in lieu of a medal.”
Waters’ head snapped up. “A promotion!?”
“He saved the lives of friendly aircrews at a substantial risk to his own life. Suwit thinks he’s a hero and Bellford likes him. Looks like he’ll come out smelling like a rose.”
“Shit,” Waters muttered. “My guy gets fried and he gets a medal and a promotion.”
“Life’s a bitch, Tom. At least you aren’t getting hurt over this.”
“Yes, sir. I guess you’re right.”
UBON RTAFB
PROJECTS OFFICE
Eddie ate supper at the Thai Restaurant with Ralph and then went to the Projects Office.
“Hi, Eddie,” Teresa said, glancing up from the photographs she was examining. “You’re back with us?”
“Yea,” he answered and sat down at the desk. “Where’s Ray?”
“Taking Dr. Li over to Laos again. I think they’re spending the night in some romantic little village.”
“What’s so romantic about sleeping in a dirt floor hut with bugs and the smell of wood smoke stinging your eyes?”
“Haven’t you ever been in love with anyone? When you’re in love you just want to be with that person. It doesn’t matter where you are.”
“And that makes it romantic?”
“Yes. They want to be together. Even out there. That’s really romantic.”
“If you say so,” Eddie answered. He turned and picked up the phone.
“Hello,” a boy’s voice answered over the phone.
“Hi. Is Elaine there?”
“Yes. Just a minute.” Then the boy yelled, “Miss Canfield, your boyfriend is on the phone.” The boy came back on the phone. “How are you doing, Eddie?”
“How did you know it was me?”
“Who else would call Miss Canfield?”
“And who told you I was her boyfriend?”
“Shoot, Eddie. Everyone knows that. When are you two going to get married?”
“Get off the phone, Jimmy,” Eddie heard Elaine say sternly.
“Yes, ma’am. Bye, Eddie.”
“Bye, Jimbo.”
As soon as they heard the boy hang up the phone, they both said, “I missed you.” They both laughed and fell silent for an awkward moment.
“I’ve been sitting on pins and needles since you left, Eddie. What have you been doing?”
“I’ve been doing a lot of flying, but I’m back in the office now.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yea, fine. Just tired from all the flying. How about you?”
“I’ve been worried sick about you, not knowing where you are or what might be happening to you.”
“Well, I’m not going to be doing much flying any more. Just my monthly training flights to keep my proficiency. I’ll be back working in the office again.”
“Can you tell me about your flying? It sounded so important.”
“It was important, but I can’t talk about it.”
“Eddie,” she
protested.
“Come on, Elaine. I can’t. We’ve already been through all this. Besides, we’re on an insecure phone line.”
“Oh, all right. It’s just that I feel that I’m being kept out of your life.”
“That will change soon enough.”
“What do you mean?”
“This job won’t last much longer. That’s all,” he answered as his voice dropped.
“What happens then?”
“I’ll be up for reassignment, probably back to the States.”
“Then how will I ever get to see you?”
Eddie sat in silence for a few seconds and then said, “I don’t know, but I definitely want to see you. We’ll see what works out in the next few weeks.”
“You want to see me?”
“Yea. I really miss you.”
“I love you, Eddie,” Elaine blurted out.
“I love you, too.”
After a few awkward seconds of silence Eddie said, “I’ve got to go. I’ll write to you.”
“Will my letters get to you?”
“Yea. Here at Ubon. And if there’s any change, Teresa will let you know.”
“Okay,” she answered, on the verge of tears.
“I love you. Bye.”
“Bye.”
Teresa leaned back in her chair and gave Eddie a serious look.
“What’s the problem?” he asked.
“You’re in love.”
“I don’t know.”
“Yes. It’s true love.”
“How do you know? It’s probably just a healthy case of GI lust.”
“Can’t be,” Teresa said with an air of finality in her voice.
“Can’t be? Why not?” Eddie argued.
“‘Cause Elaine is about as sexy as a twelve hour cold capsule. She practically lives in a convent.”
“She doesn’t live in a convent, and she is a little sexier than a twelve-hour cold capsule,” he said forcefully. Then he shrugged and added in a milder voice, “Not much sexier, but a little.”
Teresa laughed.
“It’s not all that funny,” Eddie said and then he too started to laugh when he thought about what he had just said.
“You gonna marry that girl?” Teresa asked.
The Wrong Side of Honor Page 19
