Thank you for sharing the recording and pictures. I am Bob Lodge's youngest sister, Linda. Even after 41 years, the recording and pictures make me cry.
Many thanks, Mr Hill. This to me is priceless. I knew Bob Lodge; we went to school together. This is the first time I've heard Bob's voice since we were student pilots at Moody AFB in 1965 - 66. Thanks again!
Thank you for the posting. It's amazing how 42 years ago still seems like yesterday. The voice clarity is amazing, especially listening to how calm Maj Lodge and Capt Locher were. Business, moment of joy then right back to business again. I was with the MMS flight line delivery of munitions to the aircrafts from June 71 - 72. LB1 was an exciting time of hard work, team work for all involved getting them ready to send off and watching for all to come home. Working anywhere on the flight line was the best assignment during a not so good time. I remember the many 4s, 7s and 9s delivered to Fox and Alpha. Had all functioned as advertised the mig count would have been 4 - 5 times higher than the 20-30 our guys alone parted out. I remember May 10 when Maj Lodge and Capt Locher went down. Bad news traveled fast on the flight line that Maj Lodge was lost and Capt Locher was unknown, presumed dead or captured. One of the last things I heard the day I had just boarded the Freedom bird, an announcement that Capt Locher had been rescued and was in route to Udorn. The cheers were deafening but well worth it. I remain proud to have worked along side the most fantastic group of people assembled for a specific goal of getting the birds ready to fly, BSing with the pilots, crews, loaders and blue and green crews while dodging the incoming rice bugs!. Thanks again for the post and thanks to all who served at Udorn during this time in history.
This is like hearing a beautiful concert. Everyone communicates with a language that is only understood by the players in the symphony of protecting each other. I really do appreciate you posting this. Simply beautiful.
Wow, thanks for posting this! Roger is my uncle and I was just a small kid when this happened. I have never heard this before or even knew it existed. We really didn't talk about this much. It's great to read some of the comments here with additional info. It's amazing to see how so many people were involved in this conflict and doing an exceptional job given the circumstances. Thanks for all you did and special thanks to those involved in bringing him home alive.
Joey, thanks for the video and recording. I read a lot about Major Lodge and Cpt. Locher.. I understand they were hit while tracking a mig during that May 10th mission. Was there ever a report as to why Major Lodge didn't eject? Apparently when Capt Locher commented about the fire spreading from the rear cockpit, he replied "Well why don't you eject?" Maybe he was trying to control the aircraft and figured the F-4 could be saved? or possibly succumbed to injuries he may have sustained when they were hit? Respect to all of you veterans who served in Southeast Asia, sorry for his loss.. God Bless you all..
In several interviews General Ritchie has said that bob had briefed if they were up north unless they were certain Rescue was going to happen he wasn’t punching out, however he never says much more as it’s a shitty subject. I’ve heard Ritchie say in interviews that it was Bobs personal decision due to Bob being the “weapons guy” (he was in charge of daily briefings, weapons capabilities and upcoming plans with tons of intelligence in his head the enemy would certainly gain an advantage in having) for their wing, and him having that intimate knowledge more than anyone else, he would rather die than be tortured into giving the enemy that information and put the rest of his fellow pilots lives at risk. I can’t be certain about the details, but I do know their is several video interviews on this site with General Ritchie and for sure in one of those he talks about it briefly. Every time the question is asked Steve doesn’t say much more and changes the subject after becoming visibly uncomfortable. I can say FOR CERTAIN that he was NOT trying to control the jet based on Rogers interviews about the incident which he clearly communicated that Roger was trying to get them to turn toward home, and after saying a few things Bob replied something to the effect of “you don’t understand, there AREN’T any hydraulics anymore” followed by a concern voiced by Locher to which the reply was very calmly “Well why don’t you eject then?” And Roger did. That interview is over 1,5 hours long. The consensus from the pilots that actually flew on his wing and briefed with him was it was a personal decision, and NOT a fear of being tortured. It was this man would rather give up his life than risk being tortured into giving the enemy information that would put the lives of every air crew at risk. If you search for steve Ritchie interviews it’s certainly one that’s on RUclips. I have NO personal knowledge or evidence to say either way, but this is what I’ve gathered based on the interviews with other respectable/honest airman that flew for Lodge.
itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-for-takeoff-turn-your-aviation-passion-into-a-career/id1071171446?mt=2&i=1000367033010 This is the link to an audio interview of General Ritchie, 1st Air Force Ace of Vietnam; who was Oyster 3 on 10 May (because the wing commander COL Cooper didn’t show up for the mission briefing on time and Bob asked Ritchie to take his place as told by Ritchie). 13:30- starts talking about Bob and how he was the smartest/most talented in the class being promoted to MAJOR 3 YEARS early! 16:30- the Locher Rescue is brought up 17:10- specifically talks about The shoot down of Oyster 1 and the circumstances 17:40- specifics of Bob briefing he wasn’t getting out due to the special intelligence he carried in his brain being the Wing Weapons Officer. I recommend listening to the ENTIRE podcast! Dale Stovall (Pilot: JOLLY-30) also has an interview with “Ready For Takeoff” which is amazing and details the Jolly flight of actually grabbing Roger
My dad’s easy flyer WGFP Pete kulzer who creators the runway f4e 1 he was shot down days before on may 2 72 Mia 6 hours he helped pull Roger out one of his best friends
Thank you for sharing the recording and pictures. I am Bob Lodge's youngest sister, Linda. Even after 41 years, the recording and pictures make me cry.
Many thanks, Mr Hill. This to me is priceless. I knew Bob Lodge; we went to school together. This is the first time I've heard Bob's voice since we were student pilots at Moody AFB in 1965 - 66. Thanks again!
Thank you for the posting. It's amazing how 42 years ago still seems like yesterday. The voice clarity is amazing, especially listening to how calm Maj Lodge and Capt Locher were. Business, moment of joy then right back to business again. I was with the MMS flight line delivery of munitions to the aircrafts from June 71 - 72. LB1 was an exciting time of hard work, team work for all involved getting them ready to send off and watching for all to come home. Working anywhere on the flight line was the best assignment during a not so good time. I remember the many 4s, 7s and 9s delivered to Fox and Alpha. Had all functioned as advertised the mig count would have been 4 - 5 times higher than the 20-30 our guys alone parted out. I remember May 10 when Maj Lodge and Capt Locher went down. Bad news traveled fast on the flight line that Maj Lodge was lost and Capt Locher was unknown, presumed dead or captured. One of the last things I heard the day I had just boarded the Freedom bird, an announcement that Capt Locher had been rescued and was in route to Udorn. The cheers were deafening but well worth it. I remain proud to have worked along side the most fantastic group of people assembled for a specific goal of getting the birds ready to fly, BSing with the pilots, crews, loaders and blue and green crews while dodging the incoming rice bugs!. Thanks again for the post and thanks to all who served at Udorn during this time in history.
This is like hearing a beautiful concert. Everyone communicates with a language that is only understood by the players in the symphony of protecting each other. I really do appreciate you posting this. Simply beautiful.
Wow, thanks for posting this! Roger is my uncle and I was just a small kid when this happened. I have never heard this before or even knew it existed. We really didn't talk about this much. It's great to read some of the comments here with additional info. It's amazing to see how so many people were involved in this conflict and doing an exceptional job given the circumstances. Thanks for all you did and special thanks to those involved in bringing him home alive.
@@TravelRN910, just sent him an email, thanks!
Thanks for posting this salute to you Sgt Hill, Maj. Lodge, and CPT Locher!
Thanks for sharing this. Very interesting to hear the teamwork and professionalism in this situation.
Thank you for your service to our country, Mr. Hill.!!
My pleasure 🙏
Hey Joey, great stuff! Thanks for posting this. I was at Ubon 65-66. Thank you for your service my friend! Welcome Home Brother!
Joey, thanks for the video and recording. I read a lot about Major Lodge and Cpt. Locher.. I understand they were hit while tracking a mig during that May 10th mission. Was there ever a report as to why Major Lodge didn't eject? Apparently when Capt Locher commented about the fire spreading from the rear cockpit, he replied "Well why don't you eject?" Maybe he was trying to control the aircraft and figured the F-4 could be saved? or possibly succumbed to injuries he may have sustained when they were hit? Respect to all of you veterans who served in Southeast Asia, sorry for his loss.. God Bless you all..
+Norm Sherry Per Locher, Lodge had previously been overheard stating that he would never be captured/become a POW and would rather die.
In several interviews General Ritchie has said that bob had briefed if they were up north unless they were certain Rescue was going to happen he wasn’t punching out, however he never says much more as it’s a shitty subject. I’ve heard Ritchie say in interviews that it was Bobs personal decision due to Bob being the “weapons guy” (he was in charge of daily briefings, weapons capabilities and upcoming plans with tons of intelligence in his head the enemy would certainly gain an advantage in having) for their wing, and him having that intimate knowledge more than anyone else, he would rather die than be tortured into giving the enemy that information and put the rest of his fellow pilots lives at risk. I can’t be certain about the details, but I do know their is several video interviews on this site with General Ritchie and for sure in one of those he talks about it briefly. Every time the question is asked Steve doesn’t say much more and changes the subject after becoming visibly uncomfortable.
I can say FOR CERTAIN that he was NOT trying to control the jet based on Rogers interviews about the incident which he clearly communicated that Roger was trying to get them to turn toward home, and after saying a few things Bob replied something to the effect of “you don’t understand, there AREN’T any hydraulics anymore” followed by a concern voiced by Locher to which the reply was very calmly “Well why don’t you eject then?” And Roger did. That interview is over 1,5 hours long.
The consensus from the pilots that actually flew on his wing and briefed with him was it was a personal decision, and NOT a fear of being tortured. It was this man would rather give up his life than risk being tortured into giving the enemy information that would put the lives of every air crew at risk. If you search for steve Ritchie interviews it’s certainly one that’s on RUclips. I have NO personal knowledge or evidence to say either way, but this is what I’ve gathered based on the interviews with other respectable/honest airman that flew for Lodge.
itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ready-for-takeoff-turn-your-aviation-passion-into-a-career/id1071171446?mt=2&i=1000367033010
This is the link to an audio interview of General Ritchie, 1st Air Force Ace of Vietnam; who was Oyster 3 on 10 May (because the wing commander COL Cooper didn’t show up for the mission briefing on time and Bob asked Ritchie to take his place as told by Ritchie).
13:30- starts talking about Bob and how he was the smartest/most talented in the class being promoted to MAJOR 3 YEARS early!
16:30- the Locher Rescue is brought up
17:10- specifically talks about The shoot down of Oyster 1 and the circumstances
17:40- specifics of Bob briefing he wasn’t getting out due to the special intelligence he carried in his brain being the Wing Weapons Officer.
I recommend listening to the ENTIRE podcast! Dale Stovall (Pilot: JOLLY-30) also has an interview with “Ready For Takeoff” which is amazing and details the Jolly flight of actually grabbing Roger
amazing
In the gee whiz column, I did an article on the loss of Oyster One, entitled "Loss of Oyster One, 'The Bloodiest Day'" at talkingproud.us
Very intense. Is there any chance that you could record this direct from the player to wav or mp3 file, and make it available?
My dad’s easy flyer WGFP Pete kulzer who creators the runway f4e 1 he was shot down days before on may 2 72 Mia 6 hours he helped pull Roger out one of his best friends