CPT Ernest  McFeron

 

May 16, 1965

TSgt Claude Marvin Bunch, TSgt Aaron Gregory Fidiam, Jr., and SSgt David Lee

Hubbard, Jr. were killed on 16 May 1965. 

 

CPT McFeron was assigned to the 33^rd Air Base Squadron, TSgt Bunch and Fidiam

were assigned to the 34^th Air Base Squadron, 34^th Tactical Group, 13^th Air Force, 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: 6 June 1934; Age: 30; Hometown:

Edna, Texas; Tour Started: ; Vietnam Memorial: Panel 01E Row 119.