Philippe Bunau-Varilla Fales

Major, U.S. Air Force

Philippe Bunau-Varilla Fales was born on 6 October 1933 in Neuilly, Sur Seine, France, during the period when his father was stationed as a Military Attache at the American Embassy in Paris. He was the son of Major General Eugene Warren Fales (U.S. Army) and Helene (Baker) Fales. Fales was a graduate of U.S. Naval Academy, Class of 1956.

On 16 November 1969, Major Fales was serving with the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron, 504th Tactical Air Support Group, 7th Air Force, in Tay Ninh Province, South Vietnam.

On that day, as a Forward Air Controller (FAC), Major Fales was flying an OV-10A from Tay Ninh City in support of the 1st Air Cavalry Division. He was flying Visual Reconnaissance near Katum when he was shot down by ground fire eight miles southeast of the city. His body was recovered.

Badge and Medals

Air Force Pilot Badge
Purple Heart
Air Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Honors

The name Philippe B Fales is located on Panel W16 Line 83 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=97528919