When I opened the box and took my first look at the A7E model aircraft the memories flooded over me.

It was March 30, 1972, and I walked by this very aircraft piloted by Commander Riley Mixson, USN. He was going on a strike mission over South Vietnam because the Eastertide Offensive had started that day. He was going through his preflight in the cockpit. When he looked up and saw me, an announcement came over the speaker that was heard across the ship and flight deck. The Boatswainsmate whistle was followed by, “Petty Officer Ward departing,” and the ring of one bell. The tears welled up in my eyes and I looked at Mixson. He winked and gave me a sharp salute. I saluted him back, and got on board the C2-COD for the flight to Da Nang. I was going home.

It wasn’t until twenty years later that I saw him again. In 1992 he invited me to a change of command ceremony on the USS America. He had been promoted to Vice Admiral and was to be Assistant Chief of Naval Operations – Air Warfare. He was relieved by the America’s former Captain, now promoted to Rear Admiral, James Lair USN. He was the last pilot I flew with in the attack squadron (VA-195, “The Dambusters”). I didn’t know it until that day but Jim Lair saw what happened that morning as he was in another A7E parked across from the COD.

Thanks for the memories!

- Vetswithamission
Newberry, SC