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James Douglas Locker
Sergeant
37TH ARRS, 3RD AIR RESCUE GROUP, 7TH AF United States Air Force Sidney, Ohio February 25, 1947 to June 09, 1968 JAMES D LOCKER is on the Wall at Panel W58, Line 10 |
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REMEMBEREDby Debbie Websterlilweb669@aol.com |
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James Douglas Locker is the son of Robert and Dorothy Locker. He entered the Air Force after graduation from Sidney High School, Sidney, Ohio, and trained as a Pararescueman. He was assigned to the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron operating out of Danang. On 9 June 1968, Sergeant Locker was a crewman aboard an HH-3E rescue helicopter (tail number 67-14710, call sign "JOLLY GREEN 23"), attempting the rescue of a downed Marine pilot, 1st Lt Walter R. Schmidt. JOLLY GREEN 23 was hit by enemy fire and exploded. The crewmen of Jolly Green 23 were immediately listed Killed in Action/Body Not Recovered. During his tour in Vietnam Sergeant Locker was awarded three Silver Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and four Purple Hearts in addition to the usual awards for service in Vietnam. He was the only USAF pararescueman to earn to earn three Silver Stars in one tour in Vietnam. Buildings at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, and Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio, were named in his honor. It is believed that the awards Sergeant Locker earned while in Vietnam for 11 months were more than accumulated in by any other military person from Shelby County, Ohio. The remains of the four HH-3E crewmen were repatriated on 14 February 2003 and the positive identification of all four men was announced on 17 September 2003. On Saturday, 18 October 2003, Sergeant Locker's remains were interred in Glen Cemetery, Port Jefferson, Ohio. The route from church to cemetery was decorated by many American flags and lined with people saluting Sergeant Locker. The route through the cemetery was lined by color guard units from all over Ohio. The units represented Vietnam Veterans of America chapters (Chapter 55 included), American Legion Posts, VFW Posts, AMVETS Posts, DAV Posts, POW Posts, Rolling Thunder, Chained Eagles, and other veterans' groups. I am going to estimate approximately 100 color guard units were in attendance - probably more. It was an impressive sight and a very emotional experience for all in attendance. The USAF Honor Guard from Wright-Patterson AFB was extremely nervous when they saw the absolutely huge turnout. The highest ranking enlisted man was an E-4, and the Officer in Charge was a Second Lieutenant ... he was equally nervous. All went well. The final tribute was a fly-over by a restored HH-3 "JOLLY GREEN" trailing green smoke that was flown in from the East Coast (so I am told). Mr. and Mrs. Robert Locker saw their son come home.
Mark A. Rehl Photo courtesy of Mr. Rehl |
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The crash site of the Air Force Helicopter Jolly Green 23 was discovered on 09 November 2002 and excavation began on 17 January 2003. The remains of the four crew members were repatriated to US soil on 14 February 2003 and Jim Locker was buried with full military honors in Sidney, Ohio on 18 October 2003. Two videos made from photographs taken at the ceremony can be viewed at the Farewell To A Hero page on my POW/MIA Remembrance Page for Jim Locker. Jim, you are not forgotten!
Lorrie Scally |
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