THE WALL OF FACES

I was the Crew Chief on that aircraft on Jan 29, 1969. Captain Holton was flying out of the 497th Nightowl Squadron. I strapped him in the cockpit that day, January 29th 1969. The flight was late returning, then word came down that Major William E. Campbell & Captain Robert E. Holton flying F4-D, tail number 66-7474 took a direct hit while making night strafing attacks over the Mu Gia Pass region of the Ho Chi Ming Trail. At the time they were flying on Colonel Fletcher’s wing when their aircraft took 57mm ground fire and exploded in flight, both pilots were lost.

I have thought and prayed for Colonel and Captain Holton for these many years. I feel so blessed that as I have checked on their status and this year I discovered they have been brought home.

I had the honor of wearing the bracelet of Capt Holtonand swore I would wear it till he came home. I was so grateful to read that his remains had been identified and he was coming home to Montana, and was brought to his final resting place. I had the honor of placing my bracelet, where it will be protected forever, in the Palm Springs Airport Vietnam War Museum. It was one of the hardest things I have done letting go, but it will always be safe and he will never forgotten. Welcome home and thank you for your service Capt Holton. RIP

Welcome home Captain Holton.

No longer MIA
http://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1231982/pilot-missing-from-vietnam-war-accounted-for-holton/

Air Force Caphttp://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/1231982/pilot-missing-from-vietnam-war-accounted-for-holton/.