1LT JAMES HENDERSON VILLEPONTEAUX Jr 1LT JAMES HENDERSON VILLEPONTEAUX Jr

 

1 Jul 2002 Dedicated to the Memory of 1st Lt James H. Villeponteaux, Jr. ( Little Jimmy). My first cousin was killed in action May 11, 1966. His aircraft was shot down over Laos. Jimmy has not been recovered... From his cousin, Wyman A. McEachern CMSgt, U. S. Air Force (Ret) 5741 Blufton Road, Hollywood, S. C. 29449 mceaches@yahoo.com

 

12 Dec 2002 James Villeponteaux by Nick Bailey On Veterans Day we remember the people that fought for our country, our children, and us. Some were taken prisoner, and some died fighting like you. You were a brave man and you died so young, but he did it for all of us. You will go down a great man. I believe everyone should show respect to our vets. If they did not fight for us, then we would not be here. Nick Bailey prednickbailey@yahoo.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 11 May 1966, 1stLt Villeponteaux was flying A-4E BuNo 151995 as one member of a night mission over the Ho Chi Minh Trail area of Laos. Night strikes were no less dangerous than day strikes; although the bad guys couldn't see you as well in order to aim, neither could the pilots see each other. Since the strike was controlled by an airborne Forward Air Controller, there might well be 4 or 5 aircraft operating in close proximity to the target and the risk of mid-air collision increased exponentially. Hobson's "Vietnam Air Losses" describes 1stLt Villeponteaux's loss as follows: "During a nighttime STEEL TIGER strike 1stLt Villeponteaux collided with another aircraft from his squadron and crashed seven miles east of Saravane, Laos. 1stLt Villeponteaux was killed but the other pilot, flying [A-4E BuNo] 151994, flew his damaged aircraft safely back to Chu Lai." As noted above, Lt Villeponteaux' remains have not been repatriated.

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