LRC on the Flight Line at Cam Ranh Bay
This photo was taken sometime during 1965-1966 when LRC was the commander, 12th Tactical FighterWing, which was one of the first operational combat F-4c wings in USAF. The other officer in the photo is unidentified. LRC deployed to RVN during Oct-Nov 1965 and spent one year in country, flying 132 combat missions as wing commander.
Fast Mover
Click on this link to view an animated gif generated from a film of one of LRC's combat missions. The footage was originally shot by his wingman as a color 8mm movie film. I transferred this footage to video and used a video capture program to assemble a crude eight-frame sequence. The sequence shows an attack LRC made on a Viet Cong position with napalm. The sequence of stills is also shown. Note that the napalm canister is highlighted by a red circle in two of the still frames. The clip can also be downloaded as an avi.( lrcfly5.avi).
LRC
with Robert McNamara at Cam Ranh Bay, 1966
This photograph was taken on Nov. 29, 1965 during a visit by Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara to the base at Cam Ranh Bay where LRC was commanding the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing.
Thank you from the Screaming Eagles
LRC accepts a captured AK-47 from Brigadier General Pearson
of the 101st Airbone Division. This was the Screaming Eagles'
way of saying thank you to LRC and the 12th TFW for close ground
support provided during an engagement with enemy forces.
LRC with General Westmoreland
Another visit by the brass to Cam Ranh Bay. This time LRC takes Gen. Westmoreland and Admiral Sharpe on a tour of the facilities. LRC garnered a great deal of attention for the job he did in overseeing the construction of the air base and commanding the 12th TFW during its first year in Viet Nam. LRC was a flying commander and put in 132 combat missions while in Viet Nam. He was also a stickler for proper maintenance of aircraft. I have it on first-hand account from an e-mail I received from a Cam Ranh Bay veteran that LRC once kept Gen. Westmoreland circling in a traffic pattern while he finished flight testing a just-repaired F4-C.
Kicking Back at the "O" Club
LRC caught on film in a rare relaxed moment during his Vietnam tour. This photo was taken at the Officers Club at Cam Ranh Bay. The facilities at CRB helped make the rigors of the tour of duty a bit more bearable for all the pilots and airmen.
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The series of photos above was taken on the occasion of LRC's 500th career combat mission when he was Commander 12 TFW at Cam Ranh Bay 1965-66. He is shown taxiing in and deplaning following the mission and accepting a plaque presented by his officers and airmen. Please click on the pictures to view full-size versions. Use the back button on your browser to return here.
Back Home #1 
Back Home #2
LRC returned stateside from Viet Nam in November 1966 to a hero's welcome in his hometown of Cortland, N.Y. The occasion was marked by another "Levi R.Chase day". This was early enough in the anti-war period thatÊ disaffection over the Viet Nam war had not become widespread or intense among the general population. There was little anti-war protest to mar the events of the weekend which included a parade, testimonial dinner and dinner dance. The pride, affection and respect the people of his hometown had for him was quite evident. The first photo shows LRC and Mrs. Chase at the outset of the parade. The second photo shows LRC relaxing and shooting the breeze with friends at the house of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Ames, with whom we stayed during the visit.
