bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
A friend posted this Vietnam War era photo and description, and thought a few here might appreciate it. The description that accompanied the photo:
Operation Pocket Money 9 May 1972. Nixon ordered the mining of Haiphong Harbor — with the express purpose of halting the transportation of supplies and materials for North Vietnam’s on-going invasion of South Vietnam. A6 Intruders led by Marine Corps Captain and bombardier-navigator Charlie Carr in the lead plane, established the critical attack azimuth and timing of the mine releases. Captain Carr snapped this photo inbound to the target.
I was reading some more about the mission and Carr, and saw that he was the most decorated bomber/navigator in the Marine's history. He earned a Distinguished Flying Cross for this mission. This is the citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Star in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William D. Carr (MCSN: 0-83966), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Naval Flight Officer of jet aircraft while attached to Marine All Weather Attack Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VF(AW)-224) embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). On 9 May 1972, Captain Carr was lead bombardier/navigator of the coordinated Air Wing strike that successfully mined Haiphong Harbor, North Vietnam. The closing of the enemy's main source of supplies was a critical blow and its execution was exceptionally precise and effective. Expertly utilizing his navigation radar at low altitude to guide his pilot and the strike force to the pre-computed weapons release point, Captain Carr encountered both enemy anti-aircraft fire and continuous indications of surface-to-air missile firings. He resolutely provided vital attack parameters to his pilot which resulted in a precise ordnance delivery. Captain Carr's exceptional airmanship and single-minded devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The late Marine A6 veterans, Col's Poore (L) and Carr (R) four years ago.
Operation Pocket Money 9 May 1972. Nixon ordered the mining of Haiphong Harbor — with the express purpose of halting the transportation of supplies and materials for North Vietnam’s on-going invasion of South Vietnam. A6 Intruders led by Marine Corps Captain and bombardier-navigator Charlie Carr in the lead plane, established the critical attack azimuth and timing of the mine releases. Captain Carr snapped this photo inbound to the target.
I was reading some more about the mission and Carr, and saw that he was the most decorated bomber/navigator in the Marine's history. He earned a Distinguished Flying Cross for this mission. This is the citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Star in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William D. Carr (MCSN: 0-83966), United States Marine Corps, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Naval Flight Officer of jet aircraft while attached to Marine All Weather Attack Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (VF(AW)-224) embarked in U.S.S. CORAL SEA (CVA-43). On 9 May 1972, Captain Carr was lead bombardier/navigator of the coordinated Air Wing strike that successfully mined Haiphong Harbor, North Vietnam. The closing of the enemy's main source of supplies was a critical blow and its execution was exceptionally precise and effective. Expertly utilizing his navigation radar at low altitude to guide his pilot and the strike force to the pre-computed weapons release point, Captain Carr encountered both enemy anti-aircraft fire and continuous indications of surface-to-air missile firings. He resolutely provided vital attack parameters to his pilot which resulted in a precise ordnance delivery. Captain Carr's exceptional airmanship and single-minded devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The late Marine A6 veterans, Col's Poore (L) and Carr (R) four years ago.
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