THE WALL OF FACES

Capt Robert Edwin Holton is buried in the Sunset Memorial Park in Gregson, MT.

Welcome Home

On January 29, 1969, pilot Maj William E. Campbell and co-pilot Capt Robert E. Holton comprised the crew in a U.S. Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II (#66-7474) fighter-bomber, call sign Bennett 02, in a flight of two F-4D’s from the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron on an armed visual reconnaissance mission over Laos. As the number two aircraft in the flight, Campbell’s Phantom fell back in normal trail position behind the flight leader as they approached their assigned area. While performing reconnaissance along the designated route, Campbell informed his flight leader that he visually sighted a moving vehicle and requested permission to make an attack. The flight lead gave the go ahead, then moved to orbit over the target area to observe the ordnance impact and be in position to suppress any anti-aircraft fire. As Campell started his initial pass on the target, 37mm anti-aircraft fire was directed at their jet. No hits were seen, but several aerial bursts were observed around the aircraft. They dropped their ordnance and seconds later the Phantom impacted the ground in an exploding fireball. No parachutes were observed nor electronic emergency signals heard. Immediate attempts to contact the crew were unsuccessful. Visual and electronic searches conducted by the flight leader and two Forward Air Controllers lasted approximately one hour. Several low-level, high-speed passes were made over the crash site which was in a forested valley between two mountains approximately one mile northeast of Ban Pha Nop, Laos. No sightings of the downed officers were made, and no signals were heard. Electronic surveillance was maintained through February 1, 1969, with negative results. Both men were placed in a status of Missing in Action; Campbell was subsequently promoted to Colonel. Beginning 1994, multiple joint Lao-U.S. recovery efforts located repatriated remains of Campbell and Holton. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

I wore and still have a MIA bracelet in his honor. I am glad he was brought home after 48 years.

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

Thank you your not forgotten