LTC Iceal "Gene" Hambleton (1918 - 2004)

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LTC Iceal "Gene" Hambleton

Birth:	Nov. 16, 1918
Death:	Sep. 19, 2004
Folk Figure. Hambleton was a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force. While serving as a navigator during the Vietnam War, his plane was shot down on Easter Sunday April 6, 1972. He was the only person to eject from the aircraft. Although surrounded by 30,000 enemy troops, Hambleton helped to direct USAF aircrafts to destroy many enemy vehicles on roads and to get directions to a safe area where he would eventually be rescued, by using a radio. The journey took Hambleton by unfriendly villages, enemy camps, and gun emplacements. The incident gave Hambleton famous status and led to the making of the 1988 film, "Bat 21", which starred actor Gene Hackman as Hambleton. The story was also told in the books, "Bat 21" (1980), and "The Rescue Of Bat 21" (1998). (bio by: K) Search Amazon for Iceal Hambleton

Burial: Body lost or destroyed, Ashes given to family or friend.
Maintained by: Find A Grave Originally Created by: K Record added: Sep 24, 2004 Find A Grave Memorial# 9513540