31 Dec 2004 Bob W. Ford grew up in Seminole, Texas and was a 1972 graduate of Seminole High School. He enlisted in the Air Force upon graduation and was a Security Policeman. He began a tour in Thailand in 1975 and was a member of a 17 man Air Force Security Police who were dispatched to aid in the recovery of the SS MAYAGUEZ crew. On May 13, 1975, the helicopter with the 17 passengers and a crew of 4, crashed and killed all aboard. Sgt Ford was the last known Permian Basin resident of West Texas to die in the Vietnam War. He is remembered by his community and by the Permian Basin Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Midland, Texas. May his sacrifice never be forgotten. From a PBVVM representative, Billy M. Brown bmbrown@grandecom.net A Note from The Virtual Wall The 56th Security Police Squadron, part of the 56th Special Operations Wing at Nakon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand, was tasked with providing support during the MAYAGUEZ incident in 1975. The Security Police were to be flown from Nakon Phanom to U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand, aboard a CH-53 helicopter (hull number 68-1033) belonging to the 21st Special Operations Squadron. However, the helicopter crashed approximately 330 miles NE of Bangkok on the Thai-Laotion border, and all aboard were killed. 21st SOS aircrew: Capt James G. Kays, Atlanta, GA 1stLt Laurence E. Froehlich, Sodus, MI TSgt George E. McMullen, Oxford, CA Sgt Robert P. Weldon, Kansas City, KS 56th Security Police Squadron: Sgt Jimmy P. Black, Daphne, AL Sgt Bobby G. Collums, Helena, AZ SSgt Gerald A. Coyle, Bentleyville, PA Sgt Thomas D. Dwyer, Middlebury, CT Sgt Bob W. Ford, Seminole, TX Sgt Gerald W. Fritz, Junction, TX TSgt Jackie D. Glenn, Seymour, MO Sgt Darrell L. Hamlin, Iowa City, IA Sgt Gregory L. Hankamer, San Pedro, CA Sgt David A. Higgs, Spokane, WA SSgt Faleagafula Ilaoa, San Francisco, CA Sgt Michael D. Lane, Jacksonville, FL Sgt Dennis W. London, Sparks, NV Sgt Robert P. Mathias, Granada Hills, CA Sgt William R. McKelvey, Philadelphia, PA Amn Edgar C. Moran, Pittsburgh, PA Sgt Tommy R. Nealis, Mount Sterling, KY Sgt Robert W. Ross, Cypress, CA

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