In loving memory of... Donald David Watson.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
DONALD DAVID WATSON - Air Force - 1LT - O2
Age: 26
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Jul 13, 1939
From: TRIPOLI, WI
County of Record: ONEIDA COUNTY - Tripoli is an unincorporated community in Lincoln and Oneida counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin.
Marital Status: Single - Mr. and Mrs, James E. Watson of Tripoli,Wisconsin,(Parents)and a brother, Kenneth.
***** I was the flight leader on the mission when Lt. Don Watson was shot down. I can still, to this day, vividly remember his bomb run on a target North of Saigon. I made the first bomb run and had pulled off when Don rolled in on a low angle bomb delivery. As I watched him start his delivery at about halfway down the run the aircraft was hit and almost immediately exploded giving him no chance to eject. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.
Charles Summers - Flight Leader on his last mission
***** I was in the squadron when Don was killed. He was flying an F-100 and he was shot down on a napalm run. He was a fine young man he is buried at the Air Force Academy.
Dale Sprotbery - Fellow Flier
1LT - O2 - Air Force - Regular
Length of service 3 years
Casualty was on Jul 31, 1965
In TAY NINH, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, FIXED WING - PILOT
Graduation - 1962
KIA Date - 7/31/1965
Squadron - CS 16
High School - Tri-County HS
Academy Experiences - Skiing
Academic Degree Major - B.S.- USAFA
Active Duty Assignments - Pilot Training, F-100 Pilot
KIA Conflict - Vietnam
Combat Information - Piloting an F-l00D - 481 TFS, 27 TFW attached to 6250 CSG, USAF, Tan Son Nhut
Killed In Action Mission - Lt Watson's F- 100 crashed as he was dropping napalm on a VC headquarters north of Saigon.
Aeronautical Speciality Rating - Pilot
Notable Decoration Awards - DFC, PH
Comments - Second USAFA Graduate to die in combat
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Panel 02E - Line 46
1Lt Watson, Donald David and 1Lt Donald David Watson (KIA)
The last USAF aircraft lost in what was the costliest month of the war so far was an F- 100 that crashed as it was dropping napalm on a VC headquarters north of Saigon.
On 19/20 July 1Lt Watson had taken part in a dangerous night attack in poor weather on enemy forces that were storming the Bu Dop Special Forces Camp.
He was awarded the DFC for this mission but never lived to collect it.
Search and rescue efforts turned up no sign of plane or pilot.
*********************************
WATSON, Donald D.
Class of 1962
First Lieutenant
- killed on 31 July 1965 as an F-100 pilot during an air to ground strike in Viet Cong when his plane was struck by VC ground fire while flying at a low level and exploded and crashed near Tay Ninh, South Vietnam
- member of the 481st TFS at the time
- was on his second tour, had volunteered to replace another pilot so that the pilot could return home to celebrate Christmas with his family
- known as an outstanding officer, pilot, and "soldier"
- name is on the USAFA War Memorial
Bullets compiled by Heather Beer, Association of Graduates intern, Summer 2005.
************************************
While serving on TDY status from Cannon AFB, New Mexico (524th Tactical Fighter Squadron) to Ton Son Nhut Airbase, SVN, Lt. Watson flew the F 100 in close air support missions for the Army. He was flying number 2 in a flight of three F 100s dropping 500 pound bombs on North Vietnamese troops while in contact with US forces. On his first bombing pass he was hit by ground fire and the aircraft exploded immediately with no chance for him to eject from the aircraft. Search and rescue efforts turned up no sign of plane or pilot.
Submitted by Charles M. Summers, Colonel, US Air Force, Retired who was flight lead on this mission and witnessed the explosion.
Charles M. Summers
Flight leader
*****************************
.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
DONALD DAVID WATSON - Air Force - 1LT - O2
Age: 26
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Jul 13, 1939
From: TRIPOLI, WI
County of Record: ONEIDA COUNTY - Tripoli is an unincorporated community in Lincoln and Oneida counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin.
Marital Status: Single - Mr. and Mrs, James E. Watson of Tripoli,Wisconsin,(Parents)and a brother, Kenneth.
***** I was the flight leader on the mission when Lt. Don Watson was shot down. I can still, to this day, vividly remember his bomb run on a target North of Saigon. I made the first bomb run and had pulled off when Don rolled in on a low angle bomb delivery. As I watched him start his delivery at about halfway down the run the aircraft was hit and almost immediately exploded giving him no chance to eject. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.
Charles Summers - Flight Leader on his last mission
***** I was in the squadron when Don was killed. He was flying an F-100 and he was shot down on a napalm run. He was a fine young man he is buried at the Air Force Academy.
Dale Sprotbery - Fellow Flier
1LT - O2 - Air Force - Regular
Length of service 3 years
Casualty was on Jul 31, 1965
In TAY NINH, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, FIXED WING - PILOT
Graduation - 1962
KIA Date - 7/31/1965
Squadron - CS 16
High School - Tri-County HS
Academy Experiences - Skiing
Academic Degree Major - B.S.- USAFA
Active Duty Assignments - Pilot Training, F-100 Pilot
KIA Conflict - Vietnam
Combat Information - Piloting an F-l00D - 481 TFS, 27 TFW attached to 6250 CSG, USAF, Tan Son Nhut
Killed In Action Mission - Lt Watson's F- 100 crashed as he was dropping napalm on a VC headquarters north of Saigon.
Aeronautical Speciality Rating - Pilot
Notable Decoration Awards - DFC, PH
Comments - Second USAFA Graduate to die in combat
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Panel 02E - Line 46
1Lt Watson, Donald David and 1Lt Donald David Watson (KIA)
The last USAF aircraft lost in what was the costliest month of the war so far was an F- 100 that crashed as it was dropping napalm on a VC headquarters north of Saigon.
On 19/20 July 1Lt Watson had taken part in a dangerous night attack in poor weather on enemy forces that were storming the Bu Dop Special Forces Camp.
He was awarded the DFC for this mission but never lived to collect it.
Search and rescue efforts turned up no sign of plane or pilot.
*********************************
WATSON, Donald D.
Class of 1962
First Lieutenant
- killed on 31 July 1965 as an F-100 pilot during an air to ground strike in Viet Cong when his plane was struck by VC ground fire while flying at a low level and exploded and crashed near Tay Ninh, South Vietnam
- member of the 481st TFS at the time
- was on his second tour, had volunteered to replace another pilot so that the pilot could return home to celebrate Christmas with his family
- known as an outstanding officer, pilot, and "soldier"
- name is on the USAFA War Memorial
Bullets compiled by Heather Beer, Association of Graduates intern, Summer 2005.
************************************
While serving on TDY status from Cannon AFB, New Mexico (524th Tactical Fighter Squadron) to Ton Son Nhut Airbase, SVN, Lt. Watson flew the F 100 in close air support missions for the Army. He was flying number 2 in a flight of three F 100s dropping 500 pound bombs on North Vietnamese troops while in contact with US forces. On his first bombing pass he was hit by ground fire and the aircraft exploded immediately with no chance for him to eject from the aircraft. Search and rescue efforts turned up no sign of plane or pilot.
Submitted by Charles M. Summers, Colonel, US Air Force, Retired who was flight lead on this mission and witnessed the explosion.
Charles M. Summers
Flight leader
*****************************
.
In loving memory of... Donald David Watson.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
DONALD DAVID WATSON - Air Force - 1LT - O2
Age: 26
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Jul 13, 1939
From: TRIPOLI, WI
County of Record: ONEIDA COUNTY - Tripoli is an unincorporated community in Lincoln and Oneida counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin.
Marital Status: Single - Mr. and Mrs, James E. Watson of Tripoli,Wisconsin,(Parents)and a brother, Kenneth.
***** I was the flight leader on the mission when Lt. Don Watson was shot down. I can still, to this day, vividly remember his bomb run on a target North of Saigon. I made the first bomb run and had pulled off when Don rolled in on a low angle bomb delivery. As I watched him start his delivery at about halfway down the run the aircraft was hit and almost immediately exploded giving him no chance to eject. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.
Charles Summers - Flight Leader on his last mission
***** I was in the squadron when Don was killed. He was flying an F-100 and he was shot down on a napalm run. He was a fine young man he is buried at the Air Force Academy.
Dale Sprotbery - Fellow Flier
1LT - O2 - Air Force - Regular
Length of service 3 years
Casualty was on Jul 31, 1965
In TAY NINH, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, FIXED WING - PILOT
Graduation - 1962
KIA Date - 7/31/1965
Squadron - CS 16
High School - Tri-County HS
Academy Experiences - Skiing
Academic Degree Major - B.S.- USAFA
Active Duty Assignments - Pilot Training, F-100 Pilot
KIA Conflict - Vietnam
Combat Information - Piloting an F-l00D - 481 TFS, 27 TFW attached to 6250 CSG, USAF, Tan Son Nhut
Killed In Action Mission - Lt Watson's F- 100 crashed as he was dropping napalm on a VC headquarters north of Saigon.
Aeronautical Speciality Rating - Pilot
Notable Decoration Awards - DFC, PH
Comments - Second USAFA Graduate to die in combat
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Panel 02E - Line 46
1Lt Watson, Donald David and 1Lt Donald David Watson (KIA)
The last USAF aircraft lost in what was the costliest month of the war so far was an F- 100 that crashed as it was dropping napalm on a VC headquarters north of Saigon.
On 19/20 July 1Lt Watson had taken part in a dangerous night attack in poor weather on enemy forces that were storming the Bu Dop Special Forces Camp.
He was awarded the DFC for this mission but never lived to collect it.
Search and rescue efforts turned up no sign of plane or pilot.
*********************************
WATSON, Donald D.
Class of 1962
First Lieutenant
- killed on 31 July 1965 as an F-100 pilot during an air to ground strike in Viet Cong when his plane was struck by VC ground fire while flying at a low level and exploded and crashed near Tay Ninh, South Vietnam
- member of the 481st TFS at the time
- was on his second tour, had volunteered to replace another pilot so that the pilot could return home to celebrate Christmas with his family
- known as an outstanding officer, pilot, and "soldier"
- name is on the USAFA War Memorial
Bullets compiled by Heather Beer, Association of Graduates intern, Summer 2005.
************************************
While serving on TDY status from Cannon AFB, New Mexico (524th Tactical Fighter Squadron) to Ton Son Nhut Airbase, SVN, Lt. Watson flew the F 100 in close air support missions for the Army. He was flying number 2 in a flight of three F 100s dropping 500 pound bombs on North Vietnamese troops while in contact with US forces. On his first bombing pass he was hit by ground fire and the aircraft exploded immediately with no chance for him to eject from the aircraft. Search and rescue efforts turned up no sign of plane or pilot.
Submitted by Charles M. Summers, Colonel, US Air Force, Retired who was flight lead on this mission and witnessed the explosion.
Charles M. Summers
Flight leader
*****************************
.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
DONALD DAVID WATSON - Air Force - 1LT - O2
Age: 26
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Jul 13, 1939
From: TRIPOLI, WI
County of Record: ONEIDA COUNTY - Tripoli is an unincorporated community in Lincoln and Oneida counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin.
Marital Status: Single - Mr. and Mrs, James E. Watson of Tripoli,Wisconsin,(Parents)and a brother, Kenneth.
***** I was the flight leader on the mission when Lt. Don Watson was shot down. I can still, to this day, vividly remember his bomb run on a target North of Saigon. I made the first bomb run and had pulled off when Don rolled in on a low angle bomb delivery. As I watched him start his delivery at about halfway down the run the aircraft was hit and almost immediately exploded giving him no chance to eject. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.
Charles Summers - Flight Leader on his last mission
***** I was in the squadron when Don was killed. He was flying an F-100 and he was shot down on a napalm run. He was a fine young man he is buried at the Air Force Academy.
Dale Sprotbery - Fellow Flier
1LT - O2 - Air Force - Regular
Length of service 3 years
Casualty was on Jul 31, 1965
In TAY NINH, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, FIXED WING - PILOT
Graduation - 1962
KIA Date - 7/31/1965
Squadron - CS 16
High School - Tri-County HS
Academy Experiences - Skiing
Academic Degree Major - B.S.- USAFA
Active Duty Assignments - Pilot Training, F-100 Pilot
KIA Conflict - Vietnam
Combat Information - Piloting an F-l00D - 481 TFS, 27 TFW attached to 6250 CSG, USAF, Tan Son Nhut
Killed In Action Mission - Lt Watson's F- 100 crashed as he was dropping napalm on a VC headquarters north of Saigon.
Aeronautical Speciality Rating - Pilot
Notable Decoration Awards - DFC, PH
Comments - Second USAFA Graduate to die in combat
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Panel 02E - Line 46
1Lt Watson, Donald David and 1Lt Donald David Watson (KIA)
The last USAF aircraft lost in what was the costliest month of the war so far was an F- 100 that crashed as it was dropping napalm on a VC headquarters north of Saigon.
On 19/20 July 1Lt Watson had taken part in a dangerous night attack in poor weather on enemy forces that were storming the Bu Dop Special Forces Camp.
He was awarded the DFC for this mission but never lived to collect it.
Search and rescue efforts turned up no sign of plane or pilot.
*********************************
WATSON, Donald D.
Class of 1962
First Lieutenant
- killed on 31 July 1965 as an F-100 pilot during an air to ground strike in Viet Cong when his plane was struck by VC ground fire while flying at a low level and exploded and crashed near Tay Ninh, South Vietnam
- member of the 481st TFS at the time
- was on his second tour, had volunteered to replace another pilot so that the pilot could return home to celebrate Christmas with his family
- known as an outstanding officer, pilot, and "soldier"
- name is on the USAFA War Memorial
Bullets compiled by Heather Beer, Association of Graduates intern, Summer 2005.
************************************
While serving on TDY status from Cannon AFB, New Mexico (524th Tactical Fighter Squadron) to Ton Son Nhut Airbase, SVN, Lt. Watson flew the F 100 in close air support missions for the Army. He was flying number 2 in a flight of three F 100s dropping 500 pound bombs on North Vietnamese troops while in contact with US forces. On his first bombing pass he was hit by ground fire and the aircraft exploded immediately with no chance for him to eject from the aircraft. Search and rescue efforts turned up no sign of plane or pilot.
Submitted by Charles M. Summers, Colonel, US Air Force, Retired who was flight lead on this mission and witnessed the explosion.
Charles M. Summers
Flight leader
*****************************
.
Inscription
First Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force, Class of 1962
Gravesite Details
1st Lt.
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