Son of Henry and Gracie (Downs) Britt, Major Aquilla Friend Britt graduated from Grossmont High School in El Cajon, CA 1954, and received his USAF commission in 1956 through the aviation cadet program. Ironically, his name translates to "Eagle Friend" and he became one of the best fighter pilots in the USAF.
Prior to Vietnam, he was stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Mountain Home, ID. During Vietnam, he flew the F-105 Thunderchief aka "Thud" on many missions against the North Vietnamese including being part of Ryan's Raiders, being one of the first to fly instrument-only night missions against hostile forces, and serving as USAF mission commander, leading strikes against important North Vietnam targets such as railroad yards, storage sites, missile complexes, fuel dumps, and key bridges.
While still in the air returning from his 100th mission that counted towards going home, a radio transmission was received ordering him to Tan Son Nhut Air Base. After instructing his wingman to lead the others from the mission home to Korat Air Base, he headed for Tan Son Nhut as directed. Despite a fierce tropical storm covering the base, he was able to land safely; however, within seconds collided with another plane which was inadvertently directed to use the same runway. He and both planes were lost in the accident. The stormy conditions and extremely low visibility coupled with radar and radio issues were blamed for the tragedy. The letter received by the family stated that Major Britt was diverted to Tan Son Nhut in order to brief staff of the 7th Air Force in Saigon. He only had 5 days left of his tour before he was to have returned home.
In addition to medals received while he was alive, he was awarded 27 medals posthumously including the Air Force Cross, a 2nd Silver Star, the 2nd through 6th Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2nd through 20th Air Medals, and the Purple Heart. One of the planes, which was retrofitted specifically for him, had been on display at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. In addition, his name is among the thousands of other names of those lost during the Vietnam War listed on The Wall Memorial at Washington, D. C.
An excerpt from his citation for the Air Force Cross is as Follows: "The Air Force Cross is presented to Aquilla Friend Britt, Major, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as commander of a strike force of twenty F-105 Thunderchiefs against a heavily defended target in North Vietnam on 25 October 1967. Through extremely heavy barrages of surface-to-air missiles and antiaircraft fire, Major Britt, with undaunted determination and indomitable courage, safely guided the strike force on a devastating attack against the primary target. His superb planning, leadership, and gallantry, displayed under intense conditions, were the key factors that led to the destruction of this highly significant military target. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major Britt reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."
Prior to Vietnam, he was stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Mountain Home, ID. During Vietnam, he flew the F-105 Thunderchief aka "Thud" on many missions against the North Vietnamese including being part of Ryan's Raiders, being one of the first to fly instrument-only night missions against hostile forces, and serving as USAF mission commander, leading strikes against important North Vietnam targets such as railroad yards, storage sites, missile complexes, fuel dumps, and key bridges.
While still in the air returning from his 100th mission that counted towards going home, a radio transmission was received ordering him to Tan Son Nhut Air Base. After instructing his wingman to lead the others from the mission home to Korat Air Base, he headed for Tan Son Nhut as directed. Despite a fierce tropical storm covering the base, he was able to land safely; however, within seconds collided with another plane which was inadvertently directed to use the same runway. He and both planes were lost in the accident. The stormy conditions and extremely low visibility coupled with radar and radio issues were blamed for the tragedy. The letter received by the family stated that Major Britt was diverted to Tan Son Nhut in order to brief staff of the 7th Air Force in Saigon. He only had 5 days left of his tour before he was to have returned home.
In addition to medals received while he was alive, he was awarded 27 medals posthumously including the Air Force Cross, a 2nd Silver Star, the 2nd through 6th Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2nd through 20th Air Medals, and the Purple Heart. One of the planes, which was retrofitted specifically for him, had been on display at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. In addition, his name is among the thousands of other names of those lost during the Vietnam War listed on The Wall Memorial at Washington, D. C.
An excerpt from his citation for the Air Force Cross is as Follows: "The Air Force Cross is presented to Aquilla Friend Britt, Major, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as commander of a strike force of twenty F-105 Thunderchiefs against a heavily defended target in North Vietnam on 25 October 1967. Through extremely heavy barrages of surface-to-air missiles and antiaircraft fire, Major Britt, with undaunted determination and indomitable courage, safely guided the strike force on a devastating attack against the primary target. His superb planning, leadership, and gallantry, displayed under intense conditions, were the key factors that led to the destruction of this highly significant military target. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major Britt reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."
Son of Henry and Gracie (Downs) Britt, Major Aquilla Friend Britt graduated from Grossmont High School in El Cajon, CA 1954, and received his USAF commission in 1956 through the aviation cadet program. Ironically, his name translates to "Eagle Friend" and he became one of the best fighter pilots in the USAF.
Prior to Vietnam, he was stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Mountain Home, ID. During Vietnam, he flew the F-105 Thunderchief aka "Thud" on many missions against the North Vietnamese including being part of Ryan's Raiders, being one of the first to fly instrument-only night missions against hostile forces, and serving as USAF mission commander, leading strikes against important North Vietnam targets such as railroad yards, storage sites, missile complexes, fuel dumps, and key bridges.
While still in the air returning from his 100th mission that counted towards going home, a radio transmission was received ordering him to Tan Son Nhut Air Base. After instructing his wingman to lead the others from the mission home to Korat Air Base, he headed for Tan Son Nhut as directed. Despite a fierce tropical storm covering the base, he was able to land safely; however, within seconds collided with another plane which was inadvertently directed to use the same runway. He and both planes were lost in the accident. The stormy conditions and extremely low visibility coupled with radar and radio issues were blamed for the tragedy. The letter received by the family stated that Major Britt was diverted to Tan Son Nhut in order to brief staff of the 7th Air Force in Saigon. He only had 5 days left of his tour before he was to have returned home.
In addition to medals received while he was alive, he was awarded 27 medals posthumously including the Air Force Cross, a 2nd Silver Star, the 2nd through 6th Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2nd through 20th Air Medals, and the Purple Heart. One of the planes, which was retrofitted specifically for him, had been on display at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. In addition, his name is among the thousands of other names of those lost during the Vietnam War listed on The Wall Memorial at Washington, D. C.
An excerpt from his citation for the Air Force Cross is as Follows: "The Air Force Cross is presented to Aquilla Friend Britt, Major, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as commander of a strike force of twenty F-105 Thunderchiefs against a heavily defended target in North Vietnam on 25 October 1967. Through extremely heavy barrages of surface-to-air missiles and antiaircraft fire, Major Britt, with undaunted determination and indomitable courage, safely guided the strike force on a devastating attack against the primary target. His superb planning, leadership, and gallantry, displayed under intense conditions, were the key factors that led to the destruction of this highly significant military target. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major Britt reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."
Prior to Vietnam, he was stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Mountain Home, ID. During Vietnam, he flew the F-105 Thunderchief aka "Thud" on many missions against the North Vietnamese including being part of Ryan's Raiders, being one of the first to fly instrument-only night missions against hostile forces, and serving as USAF mission commander, leading strikes against important North Vietnam targets such as railroad yards, storage sites, missile complexes, fuel dumps, and key bridges.
While still in the air returning from his 100th mission that counted towards going home, a radio transmission was received ordering him to Tan Son Nhut Air Base. After instructing his wingman to lead the others from the mission home to Korat Air Base, he headed for Tan Son Nhut as directed. Despite a fierce tropical storm covering the base, he was able to land safely; however, within seconds collided with another plane which was inadvertently directed to use the same runway. He and both planes were lost in the accident. The stormy conditions and extremely low visibility coupled with radar and radio issues were blamed for the tragedy. The letter received by the family stated that Major Britt was diverted to Tan Son Nhut in order to brief staff of the 7th Air Force in Saigon. He only had 5 days left of his tour before he was to have returned home.
In addition to medals received while he was alive, he was awarded 27 medals posthumously including the Air Force Cross, a 2nd Silver Star, the 2nd through 6th Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2nd through 20th Air Medals, and the Purple Heart. One of the planes, which was retrofitted specifically for him, had been on display at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. In addition, his name is among the thousands of other names of those lost during the Vietnam War listed on The Wall Memorial at Washington, D. C.
An excerpt from his citation for the Air Force Cross is as Follows: "The Air Force Cross is presented to Aquilla Friend Britt, Major, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as commander of a strike force of twenty F-105 Thunderchiefs against a heavily defended target in North Vietnam on 25 October 1967. Through extremely heavy barrages of surface-to-air missiles and antiaircraft fire, Major Britt, with undaunted determination and indomitable courage, safely guided the strike force on a devastating attack against the primary target. His superb planning, leadership, and gallantry, displayed under intense conditions, were the key factors that led to the destruction of this highly significant military target. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major Britt reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."
