The Villages Daily Sun

THE VILLAGES — It was June 25, 1968, in Vietnam. Five U.S. Air Force men boarded a C-130E airplane knowing their lives were in danger, but unaware their plane would be shot down and eventually engulfed in flames.

For the 40th anniversary of that ill-fated event, four members of the five-man crew met at Jon “Ghost” Alexander’s home in the Village of Virginia Trace for their second reunion — 30 years after the previous gathering.

“We needed to get together,” Alexander said. “We survived something we probably shouldn’t have survived.”

Meeting were Pat Hatch of Vero Beach, who was the aircraft commander; Jerry Willard of Jacksonville, the loadmaster; Joe Basilisco of Lake City, the engineer; and Alexander, who was the navigator. Missing was Brit Blaser of New York, the co-pilot, who was unable to attend.

The crash

Alexander described the event as a game of Tag.

“We had an Army special forces team of about 12 guys up on the Cambodian border (South Vietnam),” he said. “They were being overrun and needed to be rescued.”

Alexander said three C-130 airplanes were sent for assistance. Two of them were unable to land because the enemy was shooting at them. The other landed despite being shot at; however, it couldn’t take off because its tires were blown out. Then Alexander’s crew was sent.

“We were the youngest of any C-130 crew in Vietnam,” he said. “We were probably the last resort, but we were the only guys available. Sothey said, ‘OK kids. You’re it.’”

Anderson said they took off, were airborne for about 15 minutes, and then things got really bad.

“I think we got hit in the wing with a 23 millimeter gun from the North Vietnamese,” he said. “Other people say we got hit with a 50 caliber — it doesn’t matter. We got hit and we got hit bad.”

The crew members, with Hatch’s leadership, were forced to make a crash landing. They survived.

“We just hung on for dear life,” Alexander said. “Despite the fire, the flames and the explosions, we all managed to get out. We are very lucky.”

Teamwork

Hatch said if it weren’t for the aircraft and their teamwork, they wouldn’t have made it.

“I give a lot of credit to the airplane itself,” he said. “It’s an airplane that’s been around since the ’50s, and is still being used in our current conflict — the same model.”

He also said being trained in the Air Force as a team (crew coordination) helped during the crash.

“What we did together is what really saved our lives,” he said. “It’s probably the biggest thrill I ever had — a born-again feeling. You can imagine you were sure you were going to die, and now your whole life is there again. It’s quite an emotional experience for me.”

Hatch also said at the time he felt prepared for their mission.

“The U.S. Air Force pilots are the best-trained pilots in the world,” he said.

Staying Friends

Hatch, who organized the men’s first reunion 10 years ago, said it’s been a huge thrill getting together.

“We all have children and grandchildren here because we survived that day,” he said. “That means a lot to me.”

Willard said they have bonded and now have a camaraderie.

“You hear stories of guys who served in World War II — who fell together in foxholes and about died— became very good friends,” he said. “They are like brothers, and that’s the way we are. We care about each other’s lives and careers. It all happened because of that day. We would have all been a name on that Vietnam War if it hadn’t been for Pat Hatch — flying the plane the way he did.”

Basilisco said he appreciates their friendship, and always will.

“What I like is that after 40 years, we are still close friends,” he said. “For life.”

Azia Li Forrest is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9069, or azia.forrest@thevillagesmedia.com.