THE WALL OF FACES

Major Thomas Patterson Hanson, Served with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force.

Dear Major Thomas Hanson,
Thank you for your service as a Tactical Fighter Pilot, Rear Seat Operator. Your 40th anniversary of your status change just passed, sad. You are still MIA, please come home. It is now Lent. The war was years ago, but we all need to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

1LT Paul D. Raymond and MAJ Carl D. Miller were F-4 pilots who were sent on a combat mission over Quang Binh Province, North Vietnam on September 5, 1967. Raymond's bombardier/navigator on the flight was CAPT Donald W. Downing, while Miller's was 1LT Thomas P. Hanson. Both aircraft crashed on their missions near the coast of Vietnam. Raymond and Downing went down about 10 miles north of the city of Vinh Linh, while Miller and Hanson went down about 20 miles north of Vinh Linh. All four were classified Missing in Action. Whether the four airmen missing on September 5, 1967 survived to be captured is not known. During the period they were maintained missing, Miller was promoted to the rank of Colonel, Downing to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Hanson to the rank of Major and Raymond to the rank of Captain. [Taken from pownetwork.org]

I was given a MIA bracelet with your name on it in 2002 at AFJROTC camp. I never once took it off in the 12 years I've owned it until it snapped in two a few weeks ago. I looked at it every day multiple times wondering who you were and what happened to you. Godspeed.

Dear Major Thomas Patterson Hanson, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter