Description: THIS ITEM MEASURES 3.25 IN X 3 IN. The 374th Tactical Air Wing provided support in March 1973 for Operation Homecoming, the repatriation of American prisoners from Hanoi, North Vietnam. In February 1973, the POWs, some of whom had been held since 1965, were finally released. The Military Airlift Command was given the honor of bringing the POWS home, but the MAC C-141 Starlifter crews were upstaged by C-130 crewmen from the 374th TAW. In preparation for the release, several C-130 flights transported members of the negoitating team into Hanoi. On the day of the release two C-130 crews flew into Gia Lam Airport with members of the release team and an Air Force combat control team who brought in homing devices to help the MAC crews find the airfield. When the prisoners were released, the two C-130 crews were standing with nothing to do. Seeing that the first prisoners were the most badly injured, SSgt Ron Zogoda, a loadmaster, too the initiative as he stepped forward and took the arm of the first prisoner to be released, then escorted him across more than 100 feet of tarmac to where the MAC "freedom birds" waited. (The MAC C-141 crews were under strict instructions not to leave their airplanes). The other members of the two crews followed Zgoda's lead. When the POWS got to their first stop at Clark AB, Philippines, they told Gen. Wiliam Moore, commander of 13th Air Force, how they appreciated the fact that the first Americans they talked too were combat crewmembes like themselves. Consequently, on subsequent releases, the C-130 crews were assigned escort duty with the returning prisoners.For orders of multiple items, please ask (or wait) for a revised invoice with reduced shipping charge BEFORE paying.YOUR ITEM WILL BE SHIPPED WITHIN 24 HOURS UPON RECEIPT OF YOUR PAYMENT.FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS ONLY: WE WILL SHIP BY 1st CLASS MAIL. WE DO APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS. PLEASE GIVE US AT LEAST 24 HOURS TO RESPOND BEFORE LEAVING NEGATIVE FEEDBACK OR OPENING AN EBAY DISPUTE. THANKS.
Price: 8.28 USD
Location: Arlington, Texas
End Time: 2025-02-04T19:32:55.000Z
Shipping Cost: 1.3 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: 10%
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Type: Patches
Conflict: Vietnam (1961-75)
Theme: Militaria
Country/Region of Manufacture: Unknown
Modified Item: No
