THE WALL OF FACES

I was still Seventeen when I got to my ship, the Carrier USS Coral Sea in March of 1972. This is when I met Cmd. Thomas E. Dunlap, the commander of Carrier Air Wing 15 (CAG). At this point in the Vietnam War even the Pilots didn't want to fly the missions, the end of the war was being negotiated in Paris and they felt that going home was Very Important to them. I was up in the Combat Information Center (CIC) and Cmd. Dunlap was Mad because it was getting difficult to Inspire the Pilots to fly the missions. So here I was Airman Apprentice Nobody and out of my mouth comes "I'll Fly for You Commander!" and he said, "I Wish I Had More Like You". They were all Veterans who were Tired of fighting a very confusing War. Mabey I shouldn't have said anything, but from that point on we were Friends! I remember the day he went down about every day; I also attended his Memorial on board the Coral Sea for him, I believe that was also the last time I wore my White Uniform! We'll Catch Up One Day Commander!

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. I am heartened you returned home after so many years though I wish it had been under very different circumstances. May you rest in eternal peace.

Commander Thomas Earl Dunlop was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, with two Gold Stars, for his heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. He served as a Pilot and was assigned to CVW-15, USS CORAL SEA, TF 77, 7TH FLEET.
See https://navy.togetherweserved.com/

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Thomas E. Dunlop, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Division Leader of a flight of A-4C aircraft during the retaliatory air strike on Chanh Hoa Army Barracks at Dong Hoi, North Vietnam, on 11 February 1965. Despite intense and accurate ground fire, he positioned the flight on target and successfully accomplished the cannon fire and low-level bombing mission.
See https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/305557

Welcome Home

Commander Thomas Earl Dunlop, Served with Carrier Air Wing 15 (CVW-15), USS Coral Sea, Task Force 77 (TF-77), 7th Fleet.