Observation Squadron 67 (VO-67) was a clandestineUnited States Navymilitary intelligence aircraft squadron based in Thailand during the Vietnam War. Created in February 1967, the unit was deactivated in July 1968. During its period of activity, the squadron mainly flew missions over the Ho Chi Minh trail in Vietnam and Laos under the MUSCLE SHOALS mission known as Operation Igloo White, deploying electronic sensory devices from their aircraft. These sensors, known as the Air-Delivered Seismic Intrusion Detector (ADSID) and the Acoustic Seismic Intrusion Detector (ACOUSID), which would implant in the ground to detect North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong supply movements along the trail.
An OP-2E Neptune of VO-67, a variant of a naval patrol bomber and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft specifically developed for the Muscle Shoals mission.
The squadron flew OP-2E Neptune aircraft, a modification of the P-2E Neptune maritime patrol and antisubmarine warfare aircraft.[1] Three unit aircraft were lost on combat missions with a total of 20 men killed.[2] The unit received the Navy Unit Commendation and, in May 2008, was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its highly classified missions and for its intense aerial support of the Marines during the Battle of Khe Sanh.[3]
The Arleigh Burke class destroyer, USS Milius(DDG-69) is named for Commander Paul L. Milius, USN, who received the Navy Cross for saving his seven-man crew while serving with VO-67. Commander Milius was lost in combat over the Ho Chi Minh Trail when his OP-2E aircraft, callsign Sophomore 50, was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Laos on 27 February 1968 and he ordered his crew to bail out. Seven of the nine men aboard were rescued. The remains of the eighth crewmember, ATN2 John Hartzheim, were identified on 19 February 1999. Although he exited his aircraft, Commander Milius was never seen again. He was listed as Missing in Action, presumed Killed in Action, and his remains never recovered.
^Mobley, Richard (2015). Knowing the enemy: Naval Intelligence in Southeast Asia. Naval History and Heritage Command. p. 33. ISBN9780945274780.
^"VO-67 No Tailhook but a Great Naval Aviation Tale".
Vaughn, Chris (May 12, 2008). "U.S. To Honor Members Of Squadron In 'Secret War': The Presidential Unit Citation will be awarded Wednesday to members of Observation Squadron 67". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Ocnus.Net. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
Unit members talked with KXTV in Sacramento, CA and WFMY News 2 in Greensboro, NC about their experiences. Watch the story here.
External links
"VO-67 Association home page". Organizational home. Retrieved 17 July 2008.
This United States Navy article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
observation, squadron, clandestine, united, states, navy, military, intelligence, aircraft, squadron, based, thailand, during, vietnam, created, february, 1967, unit, deactivated, july, 1968, during, period, activity, squadron, mainly, flew, missions, over, mi. Observation Squadron 67 VO 67 was a clandestine United States Navy military intelligence aircraft squadron based in Thailand during the Vietnam War Created in February 1967 the unit was deactivated in July 1968 During its period of activity the squadron mainly flew missions over the Ho Chi Minh trail in Vietnam and Laos under the MUSCLE SHOALS mission known as Operation Igloo White deploying electronic sensory devices from their aircraft These sensors known as the Air Delivered Seismic Intrusion Detector ADSID and the Acoustic Seismic Intrusion Detector ACOUSID which would implant in the ground to detect North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong supply movements along the trail Observation Squadron 67ActiveFebruary 1967 July 1968CountryUnited StatesBranchUnited States NavyTypeObservation Remains classified RoleMilitary intelligenceGarrison HQNakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base ThailandNickname s Ghost Squadron Gandy Dancers EngagementsVietnam War An OP 2E Neptune of VO 67 a variant of a naval patrol bomber and anti submarine warfare ASW aircraft specifically developed for the Muscle Shoals mission The squadron flew OP 2E Neptune aircraft a modification of the P 2E Neptune maritime patrol and antisubmarine warfare aircraft 1 Three unit aircraft were lost on combat missions with a total of 20 men killed 2 The unit received the Navy Unit Commendation and in May 2008 was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its highly classified missions and for its intense aerial support of the Marines during the Battle of Khe Sanh 3 The Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Milius DDG 69 is named for Commander Paul L Milius USN who received the Navy Cross for saving his seven man crew while serving with VO 67 Commander Milius was lost in combat over the Ho Chi Minh Trail when his OP 2E aircraft callsign Sophomore 50 was hit by anti aircraft fire over Laos on 27 February 1968 and he ordered his crew to bail out Seven of the nine men aboard were rescued The remains of the eighth crewmember ATN2 John Hartzheim were identified on 19 February 1999 Although he exited his aircraft Commander Milius was never seen again He was listed as Missing in Action presumed Killed in Action and his remains never recovered References Edit http tailhookdaily typepad com tailhook daily briefing WindowsLiveWriter image 175 png bare URL image file Mobley Richard 2015 Knowing the enemy Naval Intelligence in Southeast Asia Naval History and Heritage Command p 33 ISBN 9780945274780 VO 67 No Tailhook but a Great Naval Aviation Tale Vaughn Chris May 12 2008 U S To Honor Members Of Squadron In Secret War The Presidential Unit Citation will be awarded Wednesday to members of Observation Squadron 67 Fort Worth Star Telegram Ocnus Net Retrieved 2008 05 16 Unit members talked with KXTV in Sacramento CA and WFMY News 2 in Greensboro NC about their experiences Watch the story here External links Edit VO 67 Association home page Organizational home Retrieved 17 July 2008 This United States Navy article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title VO 67 amp oldid 1083171543, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
