THE WALL OF FACES

In March 1965, a decision was made to interdict the North Vietnamese rail system at the Thanh Hoa Railroad and Highway Bridge spanning the Song Ma River, 70 miles from Hanoi. This led immediately to the April 3, 1965, strike against the bridge. LTC Robinson Risner was designated overall mission coordinator for the attack. He assembled a force consisting of 79 aircraft 46 F-105's, 21 F-100's, 2 RF-101's and 10 KC-135 tankers. The F-100's came from bases in South Vietnam, while the rest of the aircraft were from temporary duty squadrons at various Thailand bases. Two USAF F-105 Thunderchiefs in the mission were shot down by MiG-17’s. Lost in the engagement were CAPT James A. Magnusson (#59-1764) and MAJ Frank E. Bennett (#59-1754), both from the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, 13th Air Force. Magnusson’s remains were never recovered. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, pownetwork.org, and ejection-history.org.uk]

DEAR MAJOR BENNETT,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A TACTICAL AIRCRAFT PILOT (VARIOUS). IT IS 2017, WHICH MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE. AND HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.

1941-1945 World War II
1947-1965 Cold War Operations
1965-1965 Various Air Missions over North Vietnam


High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air… .

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

— John Gillespie Magee, Jr

Today, I thought about the sacrifices you made for our Country. Thank You. Although I was only very young when the news was passed amongst family, I have memories of visiting you when stationed in Kansas and letting me sit in the cockpit of your F-105 Thunderchief. I also remember the funeral at Arlington, the jet fly over, and many gun salute. My mother (your youngest sister) always said great things about “uncle frank”. To this day, I am still proud when I say my uncle was a major in the Air Force and an exemplary casualty of the war. I remain thrilled by the latest Military jet fighters and I am sure you had something to do with that.

I can only imagine what you might have meant to the US Military had you survived the war.

RIP Uncle Frank. I am sure you are alive at the right hand of our Lord.

Dear Major Frank Everett Bennett, 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, for those who love you, and for the Sgt's son.

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

Curt Carter (son of Sgt. Ardon William Carter, 101st Airborne, died February 4, 1966, South Vietnam)