SSGT PHIL HAMPTON

Part 6 of 6

The Jim Southall Story

Some Give It All

Jim Southall 19th patrol

Operation Mambluke Thrust

During the Vietnam War, thousands of U.S. aircraft were lost to antiaircraft artillery (AAA), surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), and fighter interceptors (MiG)s. The great majority of U.S. combat losses in all areas of Southeast Asia were to AAA. The Royal Australian Air Force also flew combat and airlift missions in South Vietnam, as did the Republic of Vietnam. Among fixed-wing aircraft, more F-4 Phantoms were lost than any other type in service with any nation.

The United States lost 578 UAVs (554 over Vietnam and 24 over China).

There were about 11,835 U.S helicopters that served in the Vietnam War. The U.S records showing 5,607 helicopter losses

In total, the United States military lost in Vietnam almost 10,000 aircraft, helicopters and UAVs (3,744 planes,607 helicopters and 578 UAVs).

The Republic of Vietnam lost 1,018 aircraft and helicopters from January 1964 to September 1973. 877 Republic of Vietnam aircraft were captured at war's end (1975) Of the 2750 aircraft and helicopters received by South Vietnam, only about 308 survived (240 flew to Thailand or US warships and 68 returned to the United States).

The United States, along with their allies (The Republic of Vietnam, South Korean, Australian, Thailand, New Zealand), lost about 12,500 aircraft, helicopters and UAVs.

North Vietnam lost 150 – 170 aircraft and helicopters.

SSGT PHIL HAMPTON

Back on top of Hill 200

October 1968

SSGT PHIL HAMPTON

Back on top of Hill 200

November 1968

The Dogs of the Vietnam War

I would wager that 90 percent of American combat troops killed in action during the Vietnam War never saw their killers.

Memorial to Vietnam War Dogs Celebrates 'The Unbreakable Bond'

Its three black granite panels are inscribed with the names of 4,244 dogs that served during the war, as well as the numbers that were tattooed inside each of their ears. Also listed are the 297 dog handlers, one veterinarian and two vet technicians who died in Vietnam. 

Sergeant Richard Michael Hilt

Sergeant Hilt served as a dog handler with the 57th Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog), 198th Infantry Brigade, AMERICAL Division.

On 05 February 1969, while on a patrol with elements of D Company, 1st Battalion, 52nd Infantry, he was wounded by a booby-trapped hand grenade. He died on 13 Feb 1969.

His personal decorations include the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals.

His mother was deceased; father Richard B. Hilt of Tavernier, Florida, was next of kin. Mike is burial in Palms Woodlawn Cemetery in Naranja, Florida. He grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and graduated from Minneapolis North High School class of 1966.

2020

SSGT PHIL HAMPTON

Training

SSGT PHIL HAMPTON

Bravo Company 1968

Payback Time!

This patrol covered covered a period of 388 hours with 64 sightings totalling 199 VC, 645 NVA, 14 lights and 7 boats.

60 Fire Missions and 2 Airstrikes

Were called, resulting in 225 VC/NVA KIA confimed and 22 VC/NVA KIA probable

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Hill 200, June 3rd, 1968

The Jim Southall Story

Some Give It All