Aquilla Friend BrittMajor469TH TAC FTR SQDN, 388TH TAC FTR WING, 7TH AF United States Air Force 07 November 1934 - 25 October 1967 El Cajon, California Panel 28E Line 064 |
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The database page for Aquilla Friend Britt
Son of Henry and Gracie Britt, Major Aquilla Friend Britt graduated from Grossmont High School in El Cajon, California in 1954 and received his USAF commission in 1956 through the aviation cadet program. Ironically, his name translates to "Eagle Friend". 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 the "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 Tan Son Nhut Air 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 extremely low visibility, stormy conditions, and 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. He now rests on Valor Ridge in El Camino Memorial Park, San Diego, California. In addition to medals received while he was alive, he was awarded 27 medals posthumously including the Air Force Cross, a second Silver Star, the 2nd through 6th Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2nd through 20th Air Medals, and the Purple Heart. Furthermore, one of the planes which he flew had been on display at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. The Citation for his Air Force Cross reads as follows:
From his niece,
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A Note from The Virtual WallOn 25 October a C-123K (tail number 54-0667) from the 310th Air Commando Sqdn, Phan Rang Air Base, was conducting a routine "round-robin" administrative flight, with Tan Son Nhut Air Base as its last stop before the return leg to Phan Rang. As the aircraft taxied out for take-off, the pilot noted massive thunderstorms in the area, decided to abort the flight, and was cleared to back-taxi down the active runway in order to return to parking ramp. At the same time, Major Britt in F-105D tail number 59-1737 was cleared to land. The tower personnel realized their error and directed the C-123K to clear the active runway immediately, but before the C-123 pilot could do so Major Britt landed - and struck the C-123's left wing and fuselage. The C-123 promptly burst into flames, while the burning F-105 tumbled down the runway. Major Britt did not eject from his aircraft and died in the crash.Although all four crewmen on the C-123 suffered burns they escaped the aircraft alive. At least one, SSgt Curtis E. Stieferman, was evacuated to Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio, where he died on 04 Nov 1967. He is buried in Rosswood Cemetery, Cotuit, Massachusetts. |
The point-of-contact for this memorial is his niece, Kristi E-Mail may be forwarded via the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 28 Jul 2008
Last updated 08/09/2008