Flying Tigers Line Flight 739, a Lockheed L-1049H, was chartered by the United States military. Originating at Travis Air Force Base, California, the Military Transport was scheduled for fueling stops at Honolulu, Wake Island, Guam, Clark AFB and was to terminate in Saigon.
The flight arrived at Guam at 11:14 GMT with the only irregularities on the way being minor maintenance on the ignition systems of engines #1 and #3 at Honolulu, a 30 minute delay at Honolulu because of stewardess complaints of inadequate rest facilities aboard, and minor maintenace at Wake Island (discrepancies in the #’s 1 and 3 engine ignition systems). The flight departed Guam at 12:57 GMT for an IFR flight to Clark AFB, Philippine Islands with an ETA of 19:16 GMT.
This plane, a Lockheed Super Constellation, had a flight crew of 11, and 96 U.S. soldiers, including 3 South Vietnam enlisted men.
According to the Civil Aeronautics Board’s (CAB) Accident Report, “The plane disappeared 1 1/2 hours after takeoff from Guam enroute to Saigon.” And “the largest air/sea search” of that time “was initiated 5 hours after the plane’s fuel exhaustion time.” “The S/S T.L. Lenzen, a supertanker owned by Standard Oil, was in the vacinity and witnessed a vapor trail go behind a cloud,” and then, (what they thought was according to the depositions of the crew) “a covert operation due to the low flying plane.” The Accident Report continues, that the crew of the S/S T.L. Lenzen had also witnessed “a mid-air explosion at the approximate time & location of N6921C.” The Accident Report concludes, “Due to the lack of any substantiating evidence the Board is unable to state with any degree of certainty the exact fate of N6921C.”
The Department of Defense has “excluded this flight,” from it’s own criteria, which would enable these 107 names being included on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial (The WALL) in Washington, D.C.
Adams Homer D. Private Ukon Wv; Armes James R. Sargent 1/C L.C. Mondsee Austria; Atkins Billy J. Private Black Mountain Nc; Baggett Robert H. Spec. 4/C Burlington Nc; Baks Or Bako Robert J. Sargent Elbridge Ny; Barnes Donald A. Master Sargent Granite City Il; Baxley Thomas W. Private 1/C Thomasville Ga; Bayse Richard S. Special 5/C Prince George Va; Biernacke Henry F. Master Sargent Colorado Springs Co; Bliss George W. Sargent 1/C L.c. Fort Jay Ny; Bowen James D. Private Indianapolis In; Breema Joseph F. Private Danville Va; Burns John J. Sargent 1/C San Luis Obispo Ca; Callahan John H. Sargent Hazelton Pa; Canon Larry D. Private Chino Ca; Caseldine William F. Master Sargent Dover Tn; Cox Edward Donald P. Spec. 5/C Amarillo Tx; Croft Lucius D. Sargent Augusta Ga; Curry Harold L. Master Sargent Mangum Ok; Dickey Douglas P. Spec. 5/C Alexandria La; Dixon Ernest T. Sargent Jesup Ga; Edwards James A., Private Hanceville Al; Fox Lawrence A. Spec. 4/C Canestoga Ny; Gallipeau Howard R. Jr. Master Sargent Alderwood Manor Wa; Gananca Clarence F. Jr. Sargent Renasalner Ny; Geiser John L. Sargent 1/C Granite Md; Glassman Robert R. M/ Sargent 1/C San Jose Ca; Glynn Walter Sargent Tacoma Wa; Greenleaf Roy E. Spec. 5/C Bloomfield Nm; Griffith Charles W. Private 1/C Cincinnati Oh; Grissom Sidney Lee Sargent 1/C Newburgh Mo; Haaf Douglas A. Spec. 4/C N. Syracuse Ny; Hatt Melvin L. Sargent 1/C Ft. Huachuca City Az; Henderson Donald W. Private Mt. Auburn Il; Henderson Robert N. Private Sfo Ca; Hester Lindsay K. Sargant 1/C Ft. Monroe Va; Hopkins Timothy F. Special 5/C Spokane Wa; Hoy Clinton M. Sargent Sierra Vista Az; Hunter Samuel L. Private 1/C Claflin Ks; Jarvis William R. Master Sargent Glendale Ky; Jennings John Charles Private Newell Wv; Johnston James W. Sargent Clarksville Tn; Jones John H.h. Private Columbus Ga; Jones John J. Sargent Ogden Ut, Kanisky John Sargent Haren Holland; Karibo John Altman Sargent Bellefontaine Oh; Kinnison Guy W. Spec. 5/C Kaneohe,Oahu Hi; Kissee Charles E. Spec. 4/C Stockton Ca; Lattie Jack E. Sargent Grovetown Ga; Leddy Adams S. Spec. 6/C Guam; Lehmkuhl Warren M. Sargent Columbus Ga; Mcclure Franklin D. M/ Spec. 4/C Dallas Ga; Mcentee Stanley W. Private Detroit Mi; Medwid Steven Sargent Alexandria Va; Mick Billy W. Sargent Sierra Vista Az; Morrison Tom B. Sargent Plattsmouth Ne; Myers Raymond E. Sargent 1/C Warren Az; Nichols Nicholas Jr. Sargent Seaside Ca; Oliver Roger L. Spec. 4/C Victory Wi ; Packard Jack C. Private Lodi Wi; Pardonnet Charles W. Spec. 4/C Colorado Springs Co; Pelkey Frank E. Sargent Farmington Me; Perkins Lawrence R. Private Chicago Il; Powell James A. Sargent 1/C Ft. Worth Tx ; Reinhardt Walter A. Sargent 1/C Hammond In; Rice Hubert L. Sargent 1/C Waynesville Mo ; Riggins Delbert L. Master Sargent Boise Id; Roberts Edison L. Warrant Officer Tacoma Wa ; Robinson Eddie F. Spec. 5/C Benton Ak; Roderick Leslie R. Jr. Spec. 6/C Houston Mo; Rogers Samuel Jr. Spec. 4/C Pine Bluff Ak; Saade/Salada Leslie M. Staff Sargent Erie Pa ; Saenz Edmond Sargent 1/C Lakeview Terrace Ca; Sager George E. Spec. 4/C Bergton Va ; Sargent Donald A. M/ Spec. 4/C Ossipee Nh; Sheard Andrew A. Iii Private Radner Pa ; Simola Efisio Jr. Sargent San Antonio Tx; Slocum George M. Spec. Westfield Ny ; Smith Elmer L. Spec. 5/C Louisiana Mo; Sorenson James C. Sargent Spanaway Wa ; Talbot Fred W. Spec. 4/C Salamanca Ny; Taylor James H. Spec. 4/C Olive Branch Mi; Thamy Peter Master Sargent Vallejo Ca; Thomas John A. Master Sargent Ridgeway Oh ; Thompson Clarence E. Spec. 4/C Big Spring Tx; Tranum Jack E. Master Sargent Augusta Ga ; Twitty James E. Staff Sargent Brooklyn Ny; Walcott Wallace L. Spec. 1/C Tacoma Wa ; *Walker Ross C. Sargent 1/C Pickens Sc; Wedge Leonard J. Spec. 4/C Millnocket Me ; Wendell John C. Sargent 1/C San Antonio Tx; Williams Albert F. Sargent 1/C Tacoma Wa ; Wong James Spec. 5/C Lahaina, Maui Hi
Above are the names of the troops that were on the plane, with the soldiers from Ohio in boldface. These men have been denied their rightful place of honor on the wall.
This website was set up by the daughter of George Michael Nau, a US Navy and Civilian Flight Engineer, who was one of the 107 that disappeared.
There are two men whose names are not in the list above.
Two soldiers who weren’t able to make that flight.
One of those soldiers was Lorainite Dan Asensio.
Due to problems with their passports, he and another soldier were held up and were unable to accompany their fellow soldiers when they departed Travis Air Force Base.
All aboard this plane are not officially listed as Killed In Action, Missing In Action or Prisoners Of War by the Department of Defense.
I won’t claim to know why the government is denying these men their rightful place on the Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., but I do want to point out two facts: The plane disappeared on March 16, 1962. According to another website, the first U.S. troops entered Vietnam in March 1965.
Three years difference, between when the Lockheed was supposed to land, and the ‘official’ entrance of U.S. troops into this conflict.
What was the proposed mission of these men? Had they actually completed their journey, could there have been a difference in the outcome of the war?
We’ll never know, but I do think that the government should rethink their position on recognizing these soldiers.
On this Memorial Day, 2008, please take a moment to say a prayer of ‘Thanks’ for all the soldiers who have fought for our Country.
Say a prayer for all of our soldiers deployed throughout the world, to keep them out of harm’s way, so that we can continue to enjoy the freedoms that we have.
And if you’re lucky enough to come face-to-face with one of our Country’s finest, take a second and thank them personally, for their dedication and effort.
We ALL truly appreciate it.
(A huge ‘Thank You’ to Mr. Asensio for the information above, and for his commitment to our country. )
March 15, 2012 Update: The above post was copied in its entirety and posted on another blog. While there has been a lot of discussion there, I’d like to reprint some of the info that has been shared:
…the ‘rules’ governing Additions to the VN Memorial Wall. While somewhat complex, they are broken down into three (3) general scenarios:
1. Anyone who dies – regardless of cause – on foreign soil within South Vietnam, North Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia. This also includes boundaries that stretch a few miles out into the South China Sea that are designated war-zone. Note the word ‘few’.
2. Deaths that occur outside of the war-zone area, but are attributable to events that occurred there. These are usually individuals evacuted out due to wounds, illnesses, accidents, etc – and subsequently died shortly thereafter.
3. Individuals that died while “going to, or returning from” a specific war-related MISSION. This change was made primarily for Pilots/Crew who crashed after a NVN bombing raid in Thailand…which is outside of the war-zone boundaries established.
Based on various documents, no argument can be made that this crash occurred within the few miles of SVN…no flotsam was ever found.
However, a theoretical argument could be made that these soldiers were ‘going to’ SVN on a specific war-related mission (as opposed to being new replacements). The CAB report done does reference that they were Communications Specialists – a group being sent there for a critical purpose of the war.
The problem is that of all of the Personnel Files obtained (about 35 so far) – ALL have been excised of any training received prior to this crash. Without those records, I cannot determine in what communications genre they were trained in, what Army or MACV Unit they were to be assigned to once there, or the specific reason/mission they were to perform.
Also, this:
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund receives numerous requests each year from individuals who desire to have particular names placed on the Memorial. While the Memorial Fund finances the name additions to The Wall, we do not determine whose names are to be inscribed. It is the Department of Defense that makes these difficult and often very technical decisions. Our organization does not have the authority to overrule those who adjudicate these matters.
Neither victims of Agent Orange nor PTSD-induced suicides fit the parameters for inclusion on The Wall. (Click here for a brief summary of the criteria and sources for names inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial).
We are often asked to add a name that DOD has not approved. Much emotion has surrounded the question of names not included on the list. Many families whose sons were taken from them in service during the Vietnam era but in other areas, as well as those whose loved ones died consequent to their return from the war (casualties of Agent Orange or PTSD-induced suicide), have expressed great disappointment that their loves ones’ name was not on the Memorial. Such cases have our deepest sympathy and respect, yet as they do not fit the parameters as described above, these names cannot be added to the Memorial.
However, The Memorial Fund honors those who have died as a result of the Vietnam War, but do not meet the requirements for inclusion on The Wall with its In Memory program. There is a plaque by the wall to honor these individuals as well as a ceremony to remember them. Honor Roll books listing all of the names honored by the plaque are available to those who participate in the program. Call us at 202-393-0090 to learn about the In Memory program.
For further explanation of the parameters for inclusion and to submit a request, please contact the relevant service branch below:
ARMY AIR FORCE
Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Center1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Dept. 450ATTN: PDC-PFort Knox, Kentucky 40121VOX: 502-613-8225 Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center
Missing Persons Branch
550 C. Street West, Suite 14
Randolph AFB, Texas 78150-4716
Fax: 210-565-3805
MARINE NAVY
Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps
Manpower and Reserve Affairs, MRC
3280 Russell Road
Quantico, VA 22134-5103
Fax: 703-784-9823 or 703-784-4134 Navy Personnel Command
Casualty Assistance Branch (PERS-621P
5720 Integrity Drive
Millington, TN 38055-6210
Fax: 901-874-6654
Hope this has been helpful, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
Lastly, this piece of news: Did you know, March 16, 1962 fell on a Friday. March 16, 2012 also falls on a Friday. 1:30 AM Friday the 16th will mark 50 years since a merchant ship witnessed a bright flash in the sky where the missing aircraft was on course between Guam and Clark AF Base in the Philippines.
Lorain County Photographer's Blog 
Mark,
I found your article on the website (http://www.locophotogblog.com/) today. It makes me happy that someone else is paying a tribute to the “107 Missing At Sea” “Aboard N6921C,” I noticed that the site had used some of my original photos and my own quotes in order for you to make your story known. I appreciate that you honored my father’s name, George Michael Nau, but failed to mention the other 10 Civilian Crew Members’ names; nor, did you give me recognition where it is due.
If you can find the book, “A Bright Shining Lie” by Neil Sheehan, you can find the other service member’s name who was unable to board N6921C – John Paul Vann.
Sincerely,
Catherine Nau
https://www.foxnews.com/us/vietnam-vets-killed-during-secret-pacific-mission-get-maine-memorial-nearly-60-years-later
Just saw this!!
Thanks for the update and I apologize but I thought the link back to your site was adequate recognition. I tried to find the quotes you referenced but was unable to.
There was no link the time. Only you and myself would know what my quotes were.
Hello Mark,
My name is Frank Allen. My Wife’s Uncle, Howard Roy Gallipeau Jr., was among those lost on Flight 739. I have started a petition to get the Department of Defense to include these ment on The Wall in DC. Would you be willing to sign my petition & and perhaps get your readers to do the same? It only takes a minute. The petition can be found on the website Change.org. If you type in Vietnam Wall the first petition will be the one you are looking for. Just will in a little information and you will be done. Thanks for the help. Let’s get these men the honor the deserve.
Sincerely,
Frank Alle
My father, Robert Glassman , Master Sgt 1st class was also on board…please contact me
Patmintz@comcast.net
This is daryllee glassman.Son of Robert r glassman.from San Jose ca, please contact me 5305546723.
Frank, Mark,
My name is Matt Burke. I am a reporter with Stars and Stripes, currently stationed in Japan. I am really interested in this. I would like to do a story for our paper. Can you all please reach out to me by email to get things started? burke.matt@stripes.com . Thanks so much! I look forward to hearing from you!
Matt
Frank,
I signed it and for anyone else that would like to sign the petition, here’s the link directly to it:
http://www.change.org/petitions/the-department-of-defense-put-the-names-of-the-men-of-flying-tiger-flight-739-on-the-vietnam-wall
Mark: I was stationed on Guam Naval Air Station in 1962. The night of 14 March I was going to the Air Terminal but was stopped by the Control Towerr with a red light, Flight 739 was just coming in for a landing. I had to wait for a green light and when I got to the Air Terminal, Flight 739 was just coming to a stop. I went into the terminal just ahead of the plane’s passengers, had a bite to eat and noticed there were alot of Army personnel, some military had Vietnam shoulder patches.. When I left to go back to the Control Tower, I saw the Flying Tiger plane next to my truck. The following morning, we heard the news, that a plane was overdue at Clark Field. Two days later I was on a C-124 searching for survivors. After 8 days, no sign was found of any wreckage.
MARK: Forgot to mention about the night Aug at terminal wiith passengers from flight 739- One of the Army passengers was a good friend of my uncle. They were both in Army at the
same time. Didnt know until I was discharged from the Navy in 1963.
Thanks for your comments and your service, James. I can’t help but wonder, had these men arrived in Vietnam, would there have been a war? Would history have been written differently?
I was just 12 years old when this happened…still trying to fill in the gaps. My parents were divorced and all of these years later I would still like to find where a service was held, or a funeral site…..have tried to find clues before , come up with nothing. Also, interestingly enough when I did get his service records from the clearing house in St Louis it doesn’t even show he had REenlisted in the Army ……Personally, I will always feel that I need some kind of closure.
Hello, my name is Tom Myers. My father was S.F.C. Raymond E. (Bill) Myers. He was also on that flight. I have been trying for yrs. To get some answers. I, was 8yrs. Old when it happened. You can reach me at, tmyers9084@aol.com maybe we can help each other?
Roy E. Greenleaf Spec 5/C, Bloomfield, New Mexico is my uncle. He was on the Flying Tiger Line 739. It would be a tribute to those who died on this flight if they were honored for their service.
Hi Gwen,
It’s your Cousin Mark in California. It looks like you got the E-mail on this that I sent earlier this year about Uncle Roy’s memorial on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. I’m glad to see your post on here. Your E-mail bounced back so I wasn’t sure if you ever received it?
We need more signatures! I don’t know why the number needed keeps increasing? Very strange? Anyway… please pass this along to the rest of our family so everyone can sign it. I never knew uncle Roy, but I am remembering his service on this Memorial Day.
I hope you’re well! Let’s catch up soon!
Love Always, ~ Mark
Gwen, My father Sgt. John A. Karibo was on Flight 739 on March 16, 1962. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him and the others that were on board. I would like to see their names added to the Vietnam Memorial Wall, after all this time they should be honored and remembered for their sacrifice. I have started a push to get additional signatures on Frank Allen’s petition to add the names to the Vietnam Wall. Maybe we can generate a little buzz since it’s the “50th Anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War.” 52 years is long enough not knowing what happened… There will forever be a hole in my heart! Kimberly Steinman-Elmquist Roseville, CA Sacramento Blue Star Mom
I don’t know why there isn’t more publicity about the fact that this flight was shot down by a U.S. fighter jet. My father was on this flight as a crewmember and in researching this we confirmed that this is true. It seems in those days if an American military pilot came across a commercial flight he would track and simulate attacking an enemy aircraft. This time the pilot got carried away and actually fired. It was covered up by the us military. Tom Burt, son of Grady Burt, navigator.
My aunt’s husband James Lattie was also on flight 793. She too is among the rest of the families waiting to see a proper recognition of her husband James. I would like to be able to help her and the rest of the families. It is long over due for the recognition of these heros
Sorry I did find his name..Jack Lattie. I also signed the petition as well as share it with my family.
Sheila,
If you count down 23 lines from the top line of the list of victims, you’ll find Jack Lattie’s name. So sorry for your family’s loss.
Matt Burke of Stars and Stripes magazine did a piece on this incident, published on July 24th.
Thought I’d share: http://www.stripes.com/news/listing-on-vietnam-wall-sought-for-troops-killed-in-1962-plane-crash-1.231996
I spent 25 years of my life on active duty in the U. S. Navy and 1year in Vietnam. I was involved in many black ops and am well aware of how black ops are handled and recorded. If you are caught or killed in the black op it will be treated as if the operation never existed. Since the personnel records of the 35 men whose records have been obtained have been heavily redacted to eliminate any reference to training or assignment to the mission Flight 739 was intended to support, it is no surprise that the U. S. Government and the Department of Defense will never acknowledge even the existence or the men or the mission officially. Since the mission was established in 1962 and there is no acknowledgement by the U. S. Government of any official involvement in the Vietnam War until 1965, it can only be expected that the Government and the Department of Defense will never acknowledge even the existence of Flying Tiger Airlines Flight 739’s involvement in transporting the hand-picked cadre of men with communications experience and jungle training to Saigon for a military mission planned within South Vietnam in 1962. Hence they will never put the names of those men on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.
Thanks for confirming my suspucions of what happened. My dad, Edward Donald Cox (E5, or SP5) from Amarillo, TX was on this plane. My dad’s military file had only 3 (three) pieces of paper when I requested a copy around 1997. Although I do have hus last paper (orders) just before he left, but it does not give specific details. I am going to write a book someday and want all the children of these missing Army troops to add into it.
My uncle Howard Roy Gallipeau Jr. was on that ill-fated plane. The loss of his life has been a
deep wound for my family. My mom lost her beloved brother and my grandparents never recovered from their grief. My aunt was a young widow with three little boys who had to live with the pain of fatherlessness. All of the devastation of this horrible event is magnified by the U.S. government’s refusal to honor these lost men. Why are the lives of flight 739 servicemen worth less than all the other brave soldiers who were lost in service to their country? It is a wrong that needs to be corrected. It has been over fifty years yet the pain remains. The children and grandchildren of these men deserve to see their lost one honored. The addition of the flight members’ names to the Vietnam Wall would help the healing to finally begin.
Larry Canon was my uncle. My family has been so deeply affected by the loss of Larry….our family stands in grief with all of the familiies! The soldiers that were on that flight were our countries serviceman they were not on vacation they were working for our country! How dare they not give recognition and even acknowledgement for their service!!!!! Not only did that plane vanish but so did 107 people…….children without parents….husbands without wives……families without their loved ones…….no answers after 50 plus years…..no bodies…..no oil slicks no debris…..NO ANSWERS????? I would hope that recognition would be at the very least givin to them for serving their country!!! Praying for all of our families!!! VANISHED BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN………
Karan,
What beautiful words to hear! Well written and explained. I’m so proud of what you wrote. This traumatic event has effected so many lives, who sometimes don’t know the right words to explain their devastion. If we are to continue fighting, then we need voices like yours!
The loss of Flying Tiger Flight 739 is forever etched in my Memory.. I was stationed at Anderson AFB, Guam and flew as a scanner/radio operator on one long endurance search and rescue flight from Anderson on the base C-54.
Thank you for this. I arrived here too late to sign the petition. My father, Melvin Hatt, is on the list. I agree with what LCDR RONALD W. KILMER USN RET has said, I’ve heard the same from others.
My Brother James A Edwards was on this flight.
James A Edwards was known to our family as Buddy Edwards I can remember family sayin his dad uncle Jay made the statement the not knowing was the hardest. This happening to our family gives me understanding when tragedy hits other families like the Flight MH370 Malaysian Airlines jetliner, my prayers goes out to the families that something can be found to give each one of them closer.May GOD be with each one of you. Jana Shelton
My father was on this flight and not a day goes by that I do not think about his fate and fellow passengers, and the impact it has had on so many lives. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you who have followed flight 739, as well as the relatives of the passengers of Malaysian flight 370 – there are many of us who know and understand the depth of their grief.
My father Walter Glynn was on Flight 739, my sisters and i have always wanted his name to be on the wall. I was only 3 years old when he passed away I really don’t remember him all I have are pictures to do that. I think this website is great and I thank you for all the hard work you put into it. I have always wondered my whole life “would’nt it be great if all the families could get together?” Again Thank you for the website.
Hello. Our family friend Crystal Rider was a stewardess on flight 739.
Is there a list of the crew for the flight?
I went in to the Army in 1963 and went to VN in early 1965.
Thank you.
John
Hi John. Got your email and started going through sites and came upon your question. It was Reiter not Rider. I asked Marion how she spelled her first name because I didn’t think your spelling was correct and I was told, with some degree of certainty that it was Christel. Bob
Hello,
Christel Reiter was my aunt. Bob, you are correct in your spelling. Thank you for keeping this current. My mother, Christel’s sister, really appreciates it.
Patricia Gleisberg Milenkowic
Gregory Thomas 7/50 3/62 ?/?/16 3/62 1049H Accident West of Guam
George M. Nau 3/62 3/62 1049H Accident West of Guam
Robert J. Wish
1/51 3/62 1049H Accident West of Guam
Clayton E. McClellan 3/62 3/62 ?/?/30 3/62 1049H Accident w/Thomas
William Kennedy 3/15/1962 1049 accident near Guam
James M. Johnstone 3/62 3/62 1049H Accident Adak
These are Most of the Crew listed on the FTL site: Two Stewardess are missing perhaps one is the one you are asking about.
Bob J. Gazzaway 1/53 3/62 /?/?/25 3/62 1049H Accident w/Thomas
Grady Burt 3/15/1962 1049 accident near Guam
Barbara Wamsley FTL flight between Guam & Clark AFB
Patricia Wassum 1962 FTL flight between Guam & Clark AFB
James Johnston was on N6921C. He disappeared with all 107 on 3-16-1962. Not in Alaska.
Catherine Nau
These are two different men on two different flights. Johnstone (ending with “e”) was the Flight Engineer (and only casualty) of the other ill-fated flight which had originated from Travis AFB. Lockheed L-1049H N6911C
What is the update on the effort to get their names on the wall.
As far as I’ve seen and heard, the government is not budging on its stance that the wall is for those who died during combat.
I wish I could tell you differently.
I, personally, have stood in front of the California Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Commission to included ALL 107 names on the WALL – YEARS AGO. I was redirected to the DoD, as they are the ones who set the criteria for inclusion on the WALL. This has been an uphill battle for 36 years (when I first read the front page article in the L.A. Times, “107 Missing At Sea”). One member of the Commission told me that I could argue that they were on a “Support Mission.” Also, per the L.A. Times, their mission was to train the South Vietnamese to defend themselves against the Communist North Vietnam. According to my letters of correspondence, our flight WAS inside the Combat Zone! You can reference this by searching the “Broadhead” case who argued that his son’s plane was outside the Combat Zone, so the DoD “extended the Combat Zone” to include his son’s name on the WALL.
On the Wikipedia website for this incident, there is a note under the ‘Conspiracy Theory’ header that 2 such planes disapeared this day. I can’t find anything to substantiate this. Does anyone know if the other flight carrying “secret military personnel” ever existed?
It was the other Flying Tigers Plane carrying the cargo….that crashed. They said pilot error, but who believes that.
Caroline Cox
We were told at Clark AB that they and all their equipment was on a C-133 and that was the plane that disappeared and we were looking for.
If and I mean if there were any FTL over the Pacific, I don’t believe they were on it, because the home page under air plane crashes of FTL they only show one FTL flight on 3/15/16/1962. I believe they were all on the ADAK, CRASH and deliberately killed as a false flag to boost the War ongoing in Vietnam and never was on a plane of Flying Tiger over the Pacific. I don’t even believe there was a C-133 flight.
I have been thinking back all these years about that time. Here are some facts I remember.
As I mentioned above, we were told it was a C-133 that was famous for dropping out of the sky and disappearing without a trace over the sea.
If there were 240 Military Special Rangers and all their loaded gear they would have had to be on a C-133 because there is no way they could have been on a L-1049.
They were on a “secret” mission and would not have been on a Commercial Airlines with civilians. I remember that John Kennedy was sending 7,500 Special forces to train the SVA to fight their own war in Nam. The L-1049 set on the flight line in dim lighting at Agana, Guam. A C-133 would have been at Anderson AFB, Guam and would have been loaded with all their gear and soldiers watched with armed Military Guards for a “Secret” mission. The Stars and Stripes always under reported the actual count of the dead, anywhere from 10% to 30%.I believe, thinking about this, that they were transferred to a C-133 and that plane did crash over the Pacific and the search started when the L-1049 disappeared as a cover. I also believe there were none on flight as 739 if there was such a flight. Two FTL flights and only one is mentioned on the FTL page. The flight 739 and not the Adak, AK flight.
I believe the 93 met up with the other 147 at Anderson to complete the 240 alleged that we were told (maybe prematurely about) and that is the plane that went down. I do not believe a Secret Mission would have been carried out on a FTL Commercial Flight with non-secure intelligence. I believe the Standard Oil Ship that had witnesses that could see 500 miles away, was part of the false flag cover-up along with the Flying Tiger Line Personnel. Because right after that, the Media (including the Stars and Stripes) suspected sabotage and even claimed a Russian Missile had brought the plane down. There were several C-133’s that were being moth balled and replaced by the C-141 and that one of those planes is the one that the 240 personnel were on board. I spent 72 straight hours searching for them. Their were F-104’s over their last reported location from Clark, Guam and Okinawa and none of them saw anything, nor did we.
Troy,
You certainly raised valuable questions about this “secret military mission.” One person that I spoke to said that “It’s a COVER-UP. You’ll NEVER know what happened – not in your generation or your children’s. Maybe 100 years from now.” I contemplated what the government would want with “Highly trained Army Rangers,” and what was in the news back then. Gorbachev from Russia was bragging about how his new Inter-Continental Balistic Missile could strick a target thousands of miles away (like maybe shooting down our plane because it was in the path of their Sputnik). I tried to enter this on your next comments, but this site didn’t have a “Reply” for it.
Try researching the L.A. Times in your local university
Micofilm Library of March & April, 1962. There was a second plane that DID carry “a secret military cargo,” in support of N6921C’s passengers.
I have been thinking back all these years about that time. Here are some facts I remember.
As I mentioned above, we were told it was a C-133 that was famous for dropping out of the sky and disappearing without a trace over the sea.
If there were 240 Military Special Rangers and all their loaded gear they would have had to be on a C-133 because there is no way they could have been on a L-1049.
They were on a “secret” mission and would not have been on a Commercial Airlines with civilians. I remember that John Kennedy was sending 7,500 Special forces to train the SVA to fight their own war in Nam. The L-1049 set on the flight line in dim lighting at Agana, Guam. A C-133 would have been at Anderson AFB, Guam and would have been loaded with all their gear and soldiers watched with armed Military Guards for a “Secret” mission. The Stars and Stripes always under reported the actual count of the dead, anywhere from 10% to 30%.I believe, thinking about this, that they were transferred to a C-133 and that plane did crash over the Pacific and the search started when the L-1049 disappeared as a cover. I also believe there were none on flight as 739 if there was such a flight. Two FTL flights and only one is mentioned on the FTL page. The flight 739 and not the Adak, AK flight.
I believe the 93 met up with the other 147 at Anderson to complete the 240 alleged that we were told (maybe prematurely about) and that is the plane that went down. I do not believe a Secret Mission would have been carried out on a FTL Commercial Flight with non-secure intelligence. I believe the Standard Oil Ship that had witnesses that could see 500 miles away, was part of the false flag cover-up along with the Flying Tiger Line Personnel. Because right after that, the Media (including the Stars and Stripes) suspected sabotage and even claimed a Russian Missile had brought the plane down. There were several C-133’s that were being moth balled and replaced by the C-141 and that one of those planes is the one that the 240 personnel were on board. I spent 72 straight hours searching for them. Their were F-104’s over their last reported location from Clark, Guam and Okinawa and none of them saw anything, nor did we.
Troy,
Please see my post prior to this post on the same date. I’ve also wondered about Highly trained Army Rangers which is Communications. What was the purpose? A VERY FAR FETCHED purpose, would be to communicate with Aliens in China. Since I was also told that the plane was “skyjacked to China, that they were given new identities…” I put the two together and that’s what I came up with. On these new Ancient Alien shows on the History channel, they went into detail about a cover-up of an Alien landing site that China wanted to keep secret. Weird? MAYBE NOT!!
One of the men included in the search, told me that a surfboard was found that had washed up onshore, and that one of the passengers had brought along his surfboard. He also said that insulation and tubing from an L-1049 Constellation was also found but was not in the (CAB) Accident Report.
If everyone would search and read about the SEATO talks going on at Clark AFB and the Pentagon in the Philippines with Russian and Chinese whose envoy arrived in a Russian TU-104 at Clark Air Force Base on March 13, 1962 and the French, New Zealand, British and U.S. Pentagon Officials who arrived in a “United States of America” 707 for a meeting that was about those “SEATO” talks going on In the State Department over LAOS AND VIETNAM. The Russians and Chinese wanted evidence and PROOF that their Nuclear alert system could and would detect, any “seismic detection” of any, launched U.S. AND THEIR ALLIES “LAUNCHED MISSILES” AGAINST THEM FROM THEIR NUCLEAR SUBMARINES, IF LAUNCHED BY THEM, IN ORDER FOR THEM TO STAY OUT OF THE VIETNAM and LAOS WAR. These talks went on during early March 9 through March 23, 1962.Kennedy, Dulles, McNamara agreed. On March 16th we were told a HUGE C-133 CARGOMASTER WITH 240 RANGERS ON BOARD WITH ALL THEIR EQUIPMENT AND GEAR WENT DOWN AFTER LEAVING GUAM. We searched for 7 days and the search was called off on the eighth day. “coincidence” I don’t think so. The Flight 739 and the C-133 story stinks to high heaven. Don’t believe it, research and read for yourselves. They were the test for those “Seismic” test that the Russians and Chinese wanted to stay out of the Vietnam War already in progress with their Chemical defoliant Agent Orange lies being discussed at the same time. And the Pentagon let it happen and lied about it just as they LIED ABOUT THE GULF OF TONKIN ATTACK TO GET PUBLIC SUPPORT TO START THEIR WAR THAT WAS ALREADY GOING ON. I WAS HANDLING BODIES OUT OF VIETNAM AND THE STARS AND STRIPES WAS COVERING UP THE ACTUAL LOSSES BY THE PR LIARS FROM THE PENTAGON.
There is a question if all the troops on board were Rangers or Special Forces. All I know is I was told there were 14 guys from my training company on that plane, I would have gone with them but I was excepted into MI and my orders changed and instead went to Africa. I had 30 days leave en route and got hurt in a horse wreck working cattle at home in Arizona and was about five days late getting to Ft. Dix learned about the plane being missing from another guy who had been the same training company. He said the plane had disappeared the day before. I never heard anymore about the plane until about seven years ago I began wondering about it and ffound flight 739. Today I found this website.
This “accident” has caused so much pain for the surviving relatives. So much hardship, grief, Major Chronic Depression, mental breakdowns, broken families, financial hardship as well as living with the NOT KNOWING.” My heart and love goes out to all the survivors who are going through the pain of their loss. Let’s continue to NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER! Continue to tell this story FOREVER! One day we will see the Bright Shining Light and Truth that always prevails….
In reading and re-reading the Civil Aeronautics Aircraft Accident Report released April 10th, 1963, File# 1-0002, there are a few statements that haven’t been addressed. (1) pg 6, what was this message sent to the Flying Tiger Line, Burbank, Pan American Airways, Manila, and Hon Kong? (2) pg 6, why did N6921C request an altitude change from 10,000 to 18,000 without giving a reason? (3) pg 6, why were Guam radar services terminated? (4) pg 7, why was the S/S T L Lenzen unable to contact the US Navy radio stations at Manila or Guam from 1530 to 2105, and who was “she” when on page 8 it states the captain to be an unnamed “he”? The captain also states a “moonlight, clear atmosphere” which does not explain the reason for N6921C’s request for an altitude change from 10,000 to 18,000. Bottom line (5) pg 11, the report clearly states that although it may indicate the aircraft was destroyed in flight there was lack of substantial evidence that it did. (6) pg 12, that they were unable to determine for certain what happened. I am presenting the idea that the plane continued on its destination and the plane landed as my Cousin told me it did. My mother told me my father, George Michael Nau, left all of his identification and ring at home. She pleaded with him not to go. She wrote is name all over his luggage. I remember at 13 my father receiving special training, visiting both sides of the family in Wisconsin and Maryland and the erry feeling I got when he should have been home. The knock at the door and my mother going into shock. When I heard on the news that North Korea and Vietnam were returning the remains of unidentified Americans I started to research how to submit DNA. Like all of you I got the run around. I went on YouTub under “Veteran Tales Project” and saw Ken Cordier tell his story of his years in the different concentration camps. He said 350 in each camp and they memorized every one name and date of birth. I contacted Erik Johnston at 214-914-1153 who filmed Ken to get a message to him if he remembered my father’s name. I believe the reason the government is fighting so hard against putting the names of flight 739 on the Vietnam Wall is because they don’t belong there. They belong on a special wall like the one in Dallas, Texas at the University of Texas that the CIA, CAT and Air America did themselves. Contact Larry D. Sall PHD, director of CIA, CAT and Air America Archives, he wants to hear your story and does the Veteran Tales Project. I recomend watching “CIA Secret Airplane” history undercover, it will help explain our pain and help to realize the plane landed.
How do I reach you to ask why I am blocked from copying any information on your site? What is your telephone number so I can talk to you in person?
Laura Nau-Rini
At some point, I probably added code because folks were stealing my photos without permission. If you want to provide an email, I can send you whatever data from the story you want. Or just simply copy the web address for the entire story.
Thank you Mark. I would like to add at this point that if you go to https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/document/cia-rdp85b00236r000100010001-2 (666 pages) everyone will be more aware of not only the time period the United States was actively involved in Vietnam but what actually was going on there within Vietnam at this time. Positive cover ups are described but par for the Dept. of Defense for the protection of the United States. I might also add that upon taking a closer look at my father’s death certificate it states under ” Place of Death” , sub title 17b- Length of Stay (in this place), 11 years. Something is wrong with that picture since his place of residence was Pacoima, California and lived there from approximately 1950 until his death in 1962 . I have also done research into the Army Casualty Program, Army Regulation 638-8, Casualty and Mortuary Affairs, and if you read this you might find there is a lot more we as a group have a right to do concerning our missing Flight 739. Also, my mother filed An Administrative Claim and Federal Tort Claim, dated August 11th, 1989 ( which I came across after her death). She not only was committed to a state mental hospital and given repeated shock treatments, her children taken from her, her house sold out from under her, and denied Social Security Disability but she was determined to make the them responsible. She had the inner strength even after all that mistreatment to go Washington DC to contest the governments wrongful death and treatment of her and her fatherless children. To this day I have yet to find out what happened to this Law Suit. My mother was flown to me in 1987 after being picked up in Washington DC wondering the street. She spent the last 10 years of her life living with me and never said a word about this law suit. Does anyone else know of this law suit? Just because time passes does not mean to give up. Records are declassified, people who were there or witnessed events come forward, THE TRUTH COMES OUT.