Goodfellow member inducted into American Combat Airman Hall of Fame

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tong Duong
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Misty Fast Forward Air Controllers were inducted into the American Combat Airman Hall of Fame Oct. 8 by the Commemorative Air Force and CAF Airpower Museum in Midland, Texas.

According to Misty's member Joe Caruso, 17th Force Support Squadron, The Misty's joined the Flying Tigers and Black Sheep as the only units inducted into the hall of fame.

Misty history:
Known by their now famous radio call sign, "Misty", 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron Detachment 1 was assigned to Phu Cat Air Base located in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam from 1967-1969.

"Misty was assigned one of the toughest jobs of the Vietnam War-to stop the flow of men and materials into South Vietnam by way of the Ho Chi Minh Trail," Mr. Caruso said.

In existence for just 36 months, the Misty's flew the two seat version of the F-100F jet over southern North Vietnam and Laos.

"The job was dangerous and the missions lasted up to six hours that required several air-refueling," Mr. Caruso said.

Tours of duty for the aircrews were short due to the dangers inherent with the Misty missions. Because of the top secret nature of their jobs and the reluctance of high-level officers to associate their names with the group, the Misty's never received any official unit decorations though many members received individual decorations and went on to high military offices. 
 
Thirty four Misty's were shot down, four became POW's and eight were killed in action. Two Misty's became Air Force Chiefs of Staff, six were general officers, one a director of the Air Force National Guard, two became astronauts, one became the first pilot to fly around the world non-stop and un-refueled, and one received the Medal of Honor.

The Misty's were a small tight-knit group of people then and remain that way today, Mr. Caruso said.

Commemorative Air Force:
The CAF honors those who build, service and fly U.S. military aircraft which preserve freedom and democracy around the world.

The CAF's American Combat Airman Hall of Fame recognizes Americans who served in the air during any war or conflict in a manner that reflects credit upon the fighting men and women of the United States.

According to their Web site, "whether an Ace, or an Airman who otherwise distinguishes himself, it is each combat Airman's personal sacrifice, courage under fire, and faith in American values that the Commemorative Air Force honors in the American Combat Airman Hall of Fame."

Despite the prestige of being inducted into the CAF's American Combat Airman Hall of Fame, Misty members acknowledge the achievement as part of their duties.

"Misty's second commander, P.J. White (Misty 21) said, it was an honor and very humbling to be included with individuals such as Jimmy Doolittle, Pappy Boyington, the Flying Tigers and seven other inductees during the ceremony. We just did our job the best way we could and we're not heroes," Mr. Caruso said.