Theron Carl Fehrenbach, II On 6 April 1970, three Air Force members, including 1st Lt. Theron Fehrenbach, were killed in action after completing an air drop mission at Dak Seang. The C-7A aircraft encountered hostile ground fire approximately ten miles south of Dak To. Army helicopters in the area reported seeing the aircraft on fire and crash. In mid 1970, I flew the sunset mission for the night coverage out of Pleiku, and as I acknowledged tower handoff to departure, a familiar, but unidentified voice said "Woody, is that you?". Before I could respond, the Nav had switched the radios to departure control. I returned a bit after midnight, and retired to the bridge game at the bar, and someone told me that Tex Fehrenbach, my roommate for our senior year, had asked about me at the Club, and said he would look me up the next day. I had a name for the voice! I turned in at about sunrise, and woke in the afternoon to the news that three Caribous didn't make it back from Dak Seang, and that Tex was in one of them. I
have since heard that they had taken hits over the drop zone, but
had flown past Dak To trying to get to Pleiku when the wing spar gave
out. I don't know how true it is, or whether I can add anything to
the memorial, but he was a true friend, and I still hear that voice
from time to time. Click here to see the entry on the Virtual Wall Vietnam Veterans Memorial. |