We were told to pack our gear—that we were leaving Eglin AFB for our new undisclosed location the next day.
We didn’t have a chaplain in our group, but we did have Master Sgt Galen “Pappy” Kittleson. Pappy announced that he would be holding a prayer service in the barracks.
Pappy was respected by all the raiders and officers from the Bull down the chain of command. In World War II, Pappy had been an Alamo Scout (precursor to the Green Berets), just like Bull Simons. They both were on the raid that freed 500 POWs (survivors of the Bataan Death March) from the Cabanatuan POW camp in the Philippines. There’s a 2005 major motion picture about it called The Great Raid. Pappy was pretty famous in the Army, particularly in Special Forces.
When I walked into the barracks where Pappy was holding the prayer service, it really struck me, how many of these seasoned soldiers were there to pray on their knees to our Father in heaven.
Blueboy, at Eglin AFB’s Aux Field #3 exactly 50 years ago today.Greenleaf, at Eglin AFB’s Aux Field #3 exactly 50 years ago today.Redwine, at Eglin AFB’s Aux Field #3 exactly 50 years ago today.
Read the Raiders’ stories, in their own words, in Who Will Go.
[This is the fifth in a series. It will be a weekly challenge to historians: The Son Tay Raid was a SUCCESS. No qualifier is appropriate. Over these next few Fridays, I’ll show you why.]
Challenge 5: There is a word that is too often used in conversations about the Son Tay Raid. That word should be banished from any analysis of the Raid. You could say it’s an ‘F-word.’ We will challenge your thinking. It may take some humility to accept the truth.
Below are hundreds of reasons for the Raid.
The following is a listing of the US POWs who were in prison on the night of the Raid. However, it’s important to notice that the locations listed reflect those of each POW on November 23rd, 1970, two days after the Raid. Notice that no POWs remain in Camp Faith on November 23rd as the North Vietnamese Army immediately rushed to consolidate all POWs into two camps deep in Hanoi. In fact no POWs remain at any of the outlying camps.
You see, the Son Tay Raid succeeded. It sent the message to the North Vietnamese Government (and the POWs) that America will not let stand the abuse of our countrymen in POW camps.
The list below was made possible only by the solemn commitment made by the POWs to memorize the names of all the other POWs. POWs recited these names upon their return, to ensure an accounting for their brothers, both the surviving and the dead. Some of these men are reading this post today. We rise to honor you today.
“HH” is the Hanoi Hilton. To understand the other POW camps, there are two maps below. The first map shows the outlying POW camps that were used until the Son Tay Raid. The second map shows the POW camps that all the POWs were consolidated into after the Son Tay Raid.
This data was provided by the NAM-POW organization and Mike McGrath, Captain, US Navy (retired). You’ll find his name on this list.
These POW camps were used until the Son Tay Raid. (Source: Honor Bound, Naval Press Institute.)
Immediately after the Son Tay Raid, all POWs were consolidated into these POW camps, which are within Hanoi. In the list above, when applicable, the particular sections of these POW camps are specified. (Source: Honor Bound, Naval Press Institute.)
Read stories of many of these POWs, told in their own words, in Who Will Go.
Blueboy Assault Group’s priority was to gain control of the POWs as quickly as possible. They had to eliminate any chance that the guards might try to shoot the POWs. Captain Meadows was to announce on a bull horn,
“We’re Americans! Keep your head down! We’re Americans! This is a rescue! We’re here to get you out! Keep your head down! Get on the floor! We’ll be in your cells in a minute!”
In the photo below, Capt Dick Meadows has a CAR-15 with an ArmaLite Singlepoint Sight, The Bullhorn, Amber Goggles, The Miners’ Light, PRC-90 Survival Radio, and a knife strapped to his leg.
Read the stories of the Raiders, told in their own words, in Who Will Go.
