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Aquilla Friend Britt |
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Engagements: • Vietnam War (1960 - 1973) |
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Aquilla Friend Britt On 10 May 1967, then-Captain Aquilla Friend Britt was serving as Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief of the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, during the Vietnam War. On that date, Capt Britt's unit was on a mission over the Vu Chua Rail Yard in North Vietnam and he flew the first single-ship night low-level radar attack against this vital target. Flying 500 to 1,000 feet above the ground in adverse weather, the single F-105F encountered intense anti-aircraft fire while still 60 miles from target. Undaunted, and maneuvering solely on instruments, Capt Britt pressed on to the target where he experienced heavy anti-aircraft fire. Ignoring his own safety, Capt Britt accurately placed his bombs on the vital target and obtained numerous secondary explosions. Capt Britt's gallantry and devotion to duty that night earned him the U.S. Air Force's second highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal. On 23 August 1967, now-Major Britt led a flak suppression flight of 4 F-105s on a strike against a high priority military target. Although subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire and attacks by MiG-17s, Maj Britt successfully accomplished his mission as not a single F-105 was lost on the raid. During the mission, Maj Britt further exposed himself to danger in order to aid one plane of his flight that experienced difficulty over the target area. Capt Britt's gallantry and devotion to duty earned him a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously).On 25 October 1967, Major Britt was serving as commander of a strike force of 20 F-105 Thunderchiefs. Maj Britt's strike force was engaged in action against a heavily defended target in North Vietnam. Maj Britt safely guided the strike force through extremely heavy barrages of surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft fire, to begin a devastating attack against the primary target. Maj Britt's superb planning, leadership, and gallantry, displayed under intense conditions, were the key factors that led to the destruction of the highly significant military target. Maj Britt's extraordinary heroism and superb airmanship that day earned him the U.S. Air Force's second highest award for valor, the Air Force Cross (Posthumously). While returning from the mission that earned him the Air Force Cross, Major Britt's plane was ordered to land at Tan Son Nhut in bad weather. After instructing his wingman to lead the strike force back to Korat Air Base, he headed for Tan Son Nhut as directed. Although a tropical storm was over the base, Major Britt was able to touch down safely but collided with a C-123 Provider aircraft that was directed to use the same runway. Major Britt was killed instantly and both planes were lost in the accident. The stormy conditions and extremely low visibility coupled with radar and radio issues were blamed for the tragedy. Medals, Awards and Badges Air Force Cross Air Force Cross Citation The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Major Aquilla Friend Britt (AFSN: 0-3065105), United States Air Force (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as commander of a strike force of twenty F-105 Thunderchiefs of the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action against a heavily defended target in North Vietnam on 25 October 1967. Through extremely heavy barrages of surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft fire, Major Britt, with undaunted determination and indomitable courage, safely guided the strike force on a devastating attack against the primary target. His superb planning, leadership, and gallantry, displayed under intense conditions, were the key factors that led to the destruction of this highly significant military target. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Major Britt reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. Honors The name Aquilla F Britt is located on Panel 28E Line 64 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Burial Major Aquilla Friend Britt is buried at El Camino Memorial Park in San Diego, San Diego County, CA, in Valor Ridge, Section 171, Block F. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27166158/aquilla-friend-britt |
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| Honoree ID: 236393 | Created by: MHOH | |||
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