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Russell Burr Luker
Staff Sergeant
VMGR-152, MAG-15, 1ST MAW, III MAF United States Marine Corps Lancaster, Ohio February 17, 1933 to February 01, 1966 RUSSELL B LUKER is on the Wall at Panel 4E, Line 130 |
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REMEMBEREDOn 01 Feb 1966, a KC-130F HERCULES of VMGR-152 departed DaNang Air Base to provide airborne refueling support for tactical aircraft scheduled to conduct operations in the vicinity of Haiphong, North Vietnam. The aircraft was crewed by
Throughout the mission the aircraft was under radar observation by the DaNang Air Operations Center. The strike missions were cancelled due to target area weather conditions and the KC-130 was cleared to return to base. At 1845 hours the aircraft neared Hon Co Island ("Tiger Island") north-northeast of the NVN/SVN border area. Although Hon Co Island was thought to be uninhabited, one report indicates that the KC-130 crew sighted signs of activity on the island and advised DaNang that they were going to take a closer look. At 1849 the KC-130 failed to respond to DaNang's radio call and shortly afterwards it disappeared from radar. Search and rescue efforts were mounted immediately but no trace of the aircraft or crew was found. The six Marines aboard were classed as Missing in Action. Unofficial reports claim that the North Vietnamese had secretly emplaced radar-controlled 37mm anti-aircraft cannons on the island with the express intention of shooting down US aircraft which routinely passed the island enroute to/from the carrier operating area known as Yankee Station and that the KC-130 was shot down by North Vietnamese anti-aircraft fire. (Note: One The Virtual Wall staff member can state from first-hand experience that 37/57mm AAA cannons were on the island by 1968.) A Marine Board of Inquiry reviewed the KC-130 loss and concluded that all evidence indicated the aircraft was lost at sea with all hands due to enemy action. The status of the aircrewmen was changed from Missing in Action to Killed in Action/Body not Recovered on the basis of the Board's findings.
Bobbi Carpenter |
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Randy, I have always wondered if they found your dad. Randy and I were friends in Hawaii when our dads went to Vietnam.
Denice Branson (Perry) |
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For the family of SSgt Luker: I proudly still wear his bracelet every day, dressed up or dressed down. I fought at work to wear your remembrance (out of uniform, they tried to tell me). Mr. Luker, you were my neighbor, my Mom and Dad's friend in Lancaster. Thank you for fighting for my freedoms, we need to bring you home! Family - I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN! Sincerely and thankful for your sacrifice,
From one who wears his Bracelet and a former neighbor, |
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Lisa, Whenever I visit the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington DC, and see his name, I say a prayer for your father and your family. May God Bless those brave men and women who are willing to serve, and who made the ultimate sacrifice.
From a high school friend of his daughter Lisa, |
A Note from The Virtual WallThe VMGR-152 Command Chronology for February 1966 contains the following entry:
The location given is the coordinates of Hon Co Island, 27 kilometers northeast of the Demilitarized Zone. |
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