My dad was the first of three generations to serve in the Air Force.
Dad got a choice between Korea & Germany. He was lucky THAT way. He was prior US Navy, yeoman on a sub tender in Panama, 1946 to 1948. He was later in Tuy Hoa Airbase in Vietnam from 68 to 69 with the Civil Engineer Squadron. He joined the Navy at 17 and strong-armed my grandpa into signing the papers! The group picture shows my father on the far right. He mostly stuck to the humorous side of things. However, he did tell say the base was mortared by VC during TET Offensive several times that year.
No other family members attempted a career in the military. If they got drafted, they served and got out quickly. I had two cousins that were in Nam while my dad was there. They got to meet up once in Quong Tri, and the other at Firebase up in the mountains in the artillery. My dad said they could hear the shells from the USS New Jersey as they passed overhead toward those mountains.
I was a SSgt, 1970 to 1982 and served at McConnell; George; England AFB; Keflavik; Ellsworth. I was an F-105 Thunder chief Wild Weasel mechanic, Administration and later worked special duty. I’m not permitted to discuss it. I went on the Glacier with the Jolly Green crew & PJ’s while they were practicing their rappelling skills with their gear. I was Orderly Room Chief Clerk, Det 14, and 39 ARRS. PJ’s are Para rescue Jumpers who rode on CH-53 Jolly Green helicopters to rescue downed airmen.
My daughter, Candace Gipson Dunson served from 1996 to 2007 Barksdale; Incirlik; Beale. Her specialty was AGE/Aircraft Scheduling on U-2 & B-52’s. She is medically retired as SSgt.
My daughter is married to an MSgt stationed at Barksdale now. He plans on retiring in 2018.
~ Ritchie Gipson, USAF Veteran
God Bless all who serve and keep us safe. We are very thankful to Ritchie for sharing his story with Comes A Soldier’s Whisper veteran tribute page and invite you to share your service photos and a memory of your wartime experience.
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