TSgt Claude H. Bunch

 

May 16, 1965

CPT Ernest McFeron, TSgt Aaron Gregory Fidiam, Jr., and SSgt David Lee Hubbard, Jr.

were killed on 16 May 1965.  TSgt Bunch and Fidiam were assigned to the 34^th Air Base

Squadron, 34^th Tactical Group, 13^th Air Force, CPT

 

McFeron was assigned to the 33^rd Air Base Squadron, and SSgt Hubbard was assigned to the

33^rd Air Base Squadron, 33^rd Tactical Group.  On Sunday, 16 May 1965, a group of 11

Martin B-57B Night Intruder bombers that were loaded for a 0930 hours strike mission were

sitting on the runway at Bien Hoa Air Base, Bien Hoa Province.  The B-57s were loaded with

 two 750-pound and ten 500-pound bombs, plus napalm.  At 0815 hours the aircrews manned

and started their aircraft when enemy mortar rounds hit the air base, which caused a 750-

pound bomb loaded aboard the lead B-57B detonated.   This explosion set off a chain of

secondary explosions along the flight line.  The resulting conflagration killed 27 men and

destroyed ten B-57Bs, eleven VNAF Douglas A-1H Skyraiders, a USAF A-1E, and a U.S.

Navy Vought F-8E Crusader and caused numerous casualties among air and ground

crewmen.  In addition, 23 other aircraft received damage.

 

Additional Facts: Serial Number: ; MOS: ; Born: 26 February 1920; Age: 45; Hometown:

 Helena, Alabama; Tour Started: ; Vietnam Memorial: Panel 01E Row 116.