AMMON, GLENDON LEE
Remains Returned 23 August 1978
Name: Glendon Lee Ammon
Rank/Branch: O3/US Air Force
Unit:
Date of Birth: 30 October 1932
Home City of Record: Muncie IN
Date of Loss: 21 September 1966
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 211255N 1060544E (XJ13462)
Status (in 1973): Missing in Action
Category: 2
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: F105D
Other Personnel in Incident: (none missing)
Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project from one or more of the following:
raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA
families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W. NETWORK.
REMARKS: REMS RETD 780823 MONTGOM HANOI
SYNOPSIS: The F105 Thunderchief (or "Thud") performed yoeman service on many
diversified missions in Southeast Asia. F105s flew more combat missions over
North Vietnam than any other USAF aircraft and consequently suffered the
heaviest losses in action. They dropped bombs by day and occasionally by
night from high or low altitude and some later versions (F105D in Wild
Weasel guise) attacked SAM sites with their radar tracking air-to-ground
missiles. This versatile aircraft was also credited with downing 25 Russian
MiGs.
On September 21, 1966, Capt. Glendon L. Ammon was the pilot of an F105D in a
flight of four F105s sent on a combat mission about 22 nautical miles
northeast of Hanoi in the Sontay area. Ammon's aircraft was seen on fire
from heavy anti-aircraft fire in the area, and other pilots in the flight
confirm that Ammon radioed "I'm punching out."
Others in the flight observed Ammon's parachute descend to the ground and a
brief emergency radio beeper was heard. However, the area was so deep into
enemy territory and heavily occupied by enemy troops, that no search and
rescue attempts were conducted.
Whether Ammon was actually captured is not known. However, his proximity to
the enemy on the ground would seem to guarantee that he could be accounted
for. One returnee told Glendon's family that he could "have been put into
possibly another prison system" but did not explain this remark.
Intelligence reports surfacing over the years during the war and following
build a strong case for a well-organized second prison system, and a well
orchestrated plan to keep prisoners within systems from intermingling. As it
is widely believed that the Vietnamese withheld the release of many
prisoners until peace agreement terms were met (specifically reconstruction
aid), it is logical to assume that one prison system's inmates were released
while another were held back for possible release at a later date. It is
also logical to assume that the scenario might be played to its fullest,
including convincing each man in a two man crew that had been separated,
that the other was dead.
In 1978 a Congressional delegation headed by Rep. G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery
visited Hanoi with the purpose of laying to rest the POW/MIA issue. The
Vietnamese turned a number of U.S. remains over to the delegation, including
those of Glendon L. Ammon.
The delegation gratefully accepted the remains and returned home with the
word that no Americans were left in Vietnam.
Since 1978, nearly 10,000 reports have amassed convincing many authorities
that hundreds of Americans remain alive in captivity today. The United
States Government, although involved in talks with the Vietnamese since the
end of the war, has been unable to bring home a single live prisoner. The
Vietnamese, on the other hand, refuse to let the issue die, with the
ultimate hope of normalizing relations with the west.
The Americans who are still captive have been reduced to bargaining pawns
between two nations. For their sakes, everything possible must be done to
bring them home. The sacrifice of tens of thousands of America's young men
is mocked by the abandonment of their comrades. For the sake of our future
fighting men and those who have given their lives in the defense of their
country, we must see to it that we never again abandon our soldiers to enemy
hands.
[r0466.97]
PROJECT X
SUMMARY SELECTION RATIONALE
NAME: AMMON, Glendon L., Capt., USAF
OFFICIAL STATUS: MISSING
CASE SUMMARY: SEE ATTACHED
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION: Capt. Ammon was observed to eject by his wingman.
A captured NVA soldier reported seeing an incident resulting in the capture
of a pilot which correlated very well with the circumstances of Capt.
Ammon's loss. There are no correlated reports of the death of Capt. Ammon
since the incident.
REFNO: 0466 20 Apr 76
(C) CASE SUMMARY
1. (U) On 21 September 1966 Capt. Glendon L. Ammon was the pilot of the
lead F105D aircraft (#62-4371, call sign WILDCAT 01), in a flight of four
on an armed reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam, with a specific
target of a railroad bridge. The flight was inbound to the target at 3000
feet when, just prior to the pop-up point, Capt. Ammon's aircraft appeared
to be hit by anti-aircraft artillery fire. His aircraft yawed violently to
the right and the right wing began to disintegrate As the right wing came
off, the wingman saw Capt. Ammon's canopy come off and the pilot eject,
with his parachute starting to deploy. At that time all members of the
flight were taking evasive maneuvers and lost sight of Capt. Ammon.
Although a search and rescue effort was requested by the flight, it was not
carried out because of the enemy anti-aircraft artillery saturation. (Ref
1)
2. (C) A captured NVA soldier later said that he saw basically the same
sequence of events happening except that he observed a fully deployed
parachute and saw the pilot land at (GC) XJ 152 465. The aircraft crashed
in the estimated vicinity of (GC) XJ 137 462. He did not see the pilot
captured, but around noon he saw an American pilot and five guards cross
the DAP CAU bridge toward his location. The pilot did not appear to be
wounded or mistreated but seemed afraid. With the exception of eye color,
all information correlates to Capt. Ammon. (Ref 2)
3. (U) During the existence of JCRC, the hostile threat in the area
precluded any visits to or ground inspections of the site. Capt. Ammon's
name and identifying data were turned over to Four-Party Joint Military
Team with a request for any information available. No response was
forthcoming. Capt. Ammon is currently carried in the status of Missing.
REFERENCES USED
1. RPT (0), 355XSG, AF Form 484 w/statements, 24 Sep 66.
2. RPT (C), Det 6, 6499 SAG, -,-R 1516-0626-69, 5 Jun 69.
* National Alliance of Families Home Page
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