The North Vietnamese were probably supported by the Russians with decrypting American message traffic and they likely knew exactly who had parachuted into their midst. So I took it on myself. The SAR efforts were suspended for the night and the U. Added to Watchlist. The presence of North Vietnamese surface-to-air missiles south of the DMZ had been tracked by Hambleton, but not everyone agreed they were present that far south. Norris was well aware of the overwhelming North Vietnamese presence, but decided to proceed upriver again. During the Vietnam War, Colonel Hambleton's aircraft is shot down over enemy territory and a frantic rescue operation ensues. Nguyen was the only South Vietnamese sailor given that award during the war.

On 3 April, air search and rescue forces attempted a first light rescue, which can successfully achieve surprise with minimal force. I had to decide whether we should risk the loss of maybe a dozen airplanes and crews just to get one man out. To save time, Hambleton passed through the abandoned village that concealed the guns that shot down his would-be rescuers. Denny Sapp [35] : 95 from the carrier Hancock killed a number of North Vietnamese troops and provided cover for his final escape. Archived from the original on October 16, Retrieved: December 23, Hambleton was unable to walk and they carried him back to their bunker. All of the SAR teams were experienced in conducting rescues into what they described as "hot LZs ", but the airmen were shocked by the quantity and intensity of the ground and anti-aircraft fire they had faced since the rescue attempt began.

Icke and the pilots of two A-1 Skyraiders were shocked to see Hambleton come out his hiding place and stand in the open on a sandbar in the river, waving a white flag at them above. Despite the best efforts of the remaining aircraft, Jolly Green 67 was critically damaged. During the Vietnam War, search and rescue forces saved 3, lives at the cost of 71 rescuers and 45 aircraft. The wounded Vietnamese troops had to be evacuated. I didn't ask anybody for permission. The Purple Plain 6. Bat 21 was configured to gather signals intelligence , including identifying North Vietnamese anti-aircraft radar installations to enable jamming. Danny Glover. Astorga and Henderson were released in March after the war ended. Archived from the original on November 16,

Hambleton was unable to walk and they carried him back to their bunker. In this movie he and the Dozen are suppose to destroy a nerve gas manufacturing plant before the Germans can make enough to use against the Allies. Standard Publishing, Inc. November 9, Air and Space Power Journal. Al Gray suggested a covert, land-based rescue operation. Both Sandys were found to be so damaged they would take several days to repair. He had on board with him Capt. He hid in a bamboo patch until local villagers came looking for him and cut it down. Knowing that his current location is too dangerous for rescue aircraft, Hambleton devises a plan to reach safer territory.

He was waiting for orders when the call came in for a commando operation to get Hambleton out. Bolte, pilot; 1st Lt.. Retrieved: October 31, Norris readily supported the nomination of Petty Officer Third Class Nguyen Van Kiet for the Navy Cross , the highest award that the navy can give to a foreign national. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Helicopter Crew Scott Howell Again, I thank them, I honor them, and I will always hold great faith in my heart with them. A whole army after him November 4, This is a story about American heroes, their courage, their pain, their humanity.

After losing his bride in a Luftwaffe air raid, bomber pilot Forrester becomes a solitary killing machine, who doesn't care whether he dies. London, England. Rocky Smith and Capt. One commando was killed. Hambleton assigned himself as navigator on the older EBC, which was configured to gather signals intelligence. Turning around, they worked their way south before putting ashore and began to search for Hambleton. Archived from the original on October 5, Knowing that his current location is too dangerous for rescue aircraft, Hambleton devises a plan to reach safer territory. Harley Rumbaugh. Golf Digest.

The film premiered in the Philippines on September 8, , [6] a month before it premiered in the United States on October Helicopter Crew Michael Raden Retrieved April 1, Working with an Air Force reconnaissance pilot, Capt. His rescue was featured in the Vietnam episode of the television series Navy Seals: Untold Stories in Golf Digest. Gatwood left behind a week-old son he had never seen, Robin F. Edit Did You Know? Hidden categories: Articles with short description Short description matches Wikidata Template film date with 1 release date Film articles using image size parameter.

USMC Col. This will allow the rescuers to keep track of his progress, making it easier for them to pick him up. The Purple Plain 6. Lightning from the Sky, Thunder from the Sea. Harley Rumbaugh : We don't have a stockade, sir! After losing his bride in a Luftwaffe air raid, bomber pilot Forrester becomes a solitary killing machine, who doesn't care whether he dies. They worked their way slowly upriver until they came upon an empty, destroyed village. May 21, In the 8 kilometers 5. Was this review helpful to you?

As a direct result of the rescue operation, five aircraft were lost, [19] : 70 [28] 11 people were killed, [41] : [19] : 69 and two were captured. Icke in Bilk 11 overhead called in air support and five U. American response to the NVA operation virtually ground to a halt [16] : as air resources were diverted to support the recovery, and for a few days defense of the northern border area was second in priority to rescuing Hambleton. EB Officer Stuart B. Looking for some great streaming picks? Hambleton had received water survival training at Turkey Run, Florida, and escape and evasion training and survival basics at the Pacific Air Command Jungle Survival School in the Philippines. The NVA pointed their Fan Song radar at the Bs, targeting them unsuccessfully with radar guided anti-aircraft fire. Army War College. The helicopter broke through the clouds and rapidly dropped into the area where Hambleton was hidden.

Quotes [ as Capt. Plot Keywords. Again, I thank them, I honor them, and I will always hold great faith in my heart with them. Along the way however, he has to face enemy forces and the death of some of his fellow soldiers. Hambleton, USAF. Wikimedia Commons. David Marshall Grant. The U. Retrieved 31 October Prater crew chief , and Sgt.

This ability was likely enabled by the then unknown American spy CWO John Anthony Walker , who had given the Soviets a radio cipher card and other high-value intelligence. Of course I'd do it again. October 14, Major Jake Scott. At about the same time that Hambleton was shot down, Capt. Hambleton was told to sit tight while they worked up an alternative plan. On 6 April at , a third attempt was made to pick Hambleton and now Clark up. Golf Digest.

Mark Clark, who was shot down during rescue operations, were finally recovered from behind the front lines on two different nights in covert, night-time rescues carried out by U. Grapevine, Texas: Nissi Publishing. The film graphically shows and without really taking a side the difficulties of fighting the war in Vietnam where the guerrillas have no compunction about using civilians as shields. Hambleton assigned himself as navigator on the older EBC, which was configured to gather signals intelligence. To break through the nightmare-haunted man's wall of silence, the physician drives Forrester to visit an outpost of English-speaking refugees, which includes an alluring young Burmese woman. He told the families of the downed fliers that "Each of you played a distinct role and forming the character of these men who so willingly paid a very dear price to help me get out of the jungles of Vietnam. Pieces of the tail rotor struck the main rotor, and the aircraft rolled and crashed on its left side, burning ferociously. Hambleton and 1st Lt.

Archived from the original on November 16, Task Force Omega. As many as 90 sorties a day were called in to suppress North Vietnamese forces around Hambleton. As a direct result of the rescue operation, five aircraft were lost, [19] : 70 [28] 11 people were killed, [41] : [19] : 69 and two were captured. Boy on Bridge. Plot Summary. November 4, The Four Horsemen 3.

Pieces of the tail rotor struck the main rotor, and the aircraft rolled and crashed on its left side, burning ferociously. Near dawn, he saw some motion and found Clark hiding behind a sampan on the riverbank. Retrieved March 28, As it approached Hambleton's position, they called for him to pop his smoke and reveal his position. Archived from the original on May 24, One ranking adviser commented, "When viewed in relation to all the events of the day, a worse decision could not have been made. The North Vietnamese were probably supported by the Russians with decrypting American message traffic and they likely knew exactly who had parachuted into their midst. The airmen were surprised by the intensity of the anti-aircraft fire and SAM activity. Crowe struggled to get the aircraft out of the fire zone, and with his instruments shot up, he had to rely on external visual cues to fly the aircraft.

A pilot flying support, looking for targets to engage, asked, "Where's the enemy fire coming from? The newer EBE was tasked with jamming SAM radar guidance systems so their missiles could not accurately target the aircraft. News reporters were very aware of the intense rescue efforts to bring Hambleton home. The Viet Cong listening in on their field radio conversations can't figure out what is essentially a private code. September 5, A massive SAM explosion tears off the tail and Hambleton, in the navigator's position, ejects as the sole survivor of the six-man crew. Retrieved April 11, The NVA air defense seriously challenged American air superiority and blunted the success of close air support in the area.

London, England. Washington, D. William C. One ranking adviser commented, "When viewed in relation to all the events of the day, a worse decision could not have been made. They suddenly found themselves painted by Fan Song radar and narrowly missed getting shot down as well. A moment later, the aircraft was struck by a second SA-2 and exploded. The NVA re-routed thousands of troops, dozens of tanks and other equipment west along TL, immediately in front of Hambleton's position, to the Cam Lo River bridge 8 kilometers 5. Archived from the original on May 24,

Hidden categories: Articles with short description Short description matches Wikidata Template film date with 1 release date Film articles using image size parameter. The Rescue of Bat One pilot reported that "SAM calls were driving us into the small arms threat. Physically exhausted, hungry and dehydrated, Hambleton found a banana plantation where he could tap the tree for drinking water. Edit Did You Know? Jolly Green 67 flew east at first, further into territory held by the North Vietnamese, before it turned southeast for a few kilometers, when a fire broke out in the left engine. London, England. User Reviews. Retrieved April 3,

Dennis Constant, stayed. Robert Singletary. The Air Force did not put limits on what it took to rescue a downed airman. User Ratings. Traveling twice that distance upriver, he passed through frequent North Vietnamese patrols, truck, and columns of tanks. There were no rules to apply to determine when a search and rescue was no longer cost effective. Clark floated down the cold river and at about to , Norris could hear his heavy breathing on the river. After pinpointing Hambleton's location, the Air Force bombarded the area around him for the next three days. El coronel Iceal Hambleton es un brillante estratega militar que sabe cuidar muy bien de sí mismo, pero a pies de altura.

Improvising a code using a series of specific golf-course holes to guide him through the mine fields sown to protect him and to get him to the Song Meiu Giang, [10] they radioed him, "You're going to play 18 holes and you're going to get in the Swanee and make like Esther Williams and Charlie the Tuna. Prater's remains were buried with full military honors on 19 June by his family. The Rescue of Bat Helicopter Crew Michael Raden The added deaths, loss of aircraft, and length of the rescue operation led the USAF to change the way they planned and conducted search and rescue missions. It was a hell of a price to pay for one life. Tom Norris' role in the rescue was still secret, and his actions were not depicted in the film. Por el momento todo lo que puede hacer es ocultarse, escuchar y hacer caso de la voz de un amigo.

The film premiered in the Philippines on September 8, , [6] a month before it premiered in the United States on October The Sandys immediately scrambled to cover Hambleton's position. Add the first question. Four high school football stars enlist in the Marines to serve their country in Iraq. Archived from the original on October 5, Archived from the original on 1 April Improvising a code using a series of specific golf-course holes to guide him through the mine fields sown to protect him and to get him to the Song Meiu Giang, [10] they radioed him, "You're going to play 18 holes and you're going to get in the Swanee and make like Esther Williams and Charlie the Tuna. Lightning from the Sky, Thunder from the Sea. The NVA re-routed thousands of troops, dozens of tanks and other equipment west along TL, immediately in front of Hambleton's position, to the Cam Lo River bridge 8 kilometers 5.

The added deaths, loss of aircraft, and length of the rescue operation led the USAF to change the way they planned and conducted search and rescue missions. Clark and Hambleton were several miles apart. Retrieved March 29, Edit page. Cecil Muirhead, who could restrict airspace activity for the use of search and rescue forces. Archived from the original on May 24, Plot Summary. Retrieved March 31, At 53 years old, Hambleton was not a prime candidate to survive the cold, wet weather conditions. They pulled the sampan to the bank and turned it over to provide some cover.

Walker was discovered and killed by the Vietnamese forces. As a result, they developed new techniques and equipment to improve their ability to rescue downed airmen. The NVA air defense seriously challenged American air superiority and blunted the success of close air support in the area. Written by garykmcd. I bet you wouldn't do that again. Watched in You have my deepest sympathy—you and these six brave men. Standard Publishing, Inc.

Archived from the original on 23 July Landing on the river bank, they were met by some ARVN soldiers. Task Force Omega. Rate This. Colonel Iceal Hambleton Danny Glover Clark parachuted to the ground safely on the south side of river and eluded capture. His aircraft was totaled. Clear your history. December

Retrieved March 24, North Vietnamese response was limited. Gene Hackman. Wikimedia Commons. Colonel George Walker. Archived from the original on February 14, The military also improved the night capability of helicopters and area denial munitions. Language: English. Hambleton wasn't transmitting on schedule and his occasional radio calls were difficult to understand.

Clark floated down the cold river and at about to , Norris could hear his heavy breathing on the river. One of the EWOs called "Negative! Muirhead and told him that they had to find another way. Will it go right in the end? This is a story about American heroes, their courage, their pain, their humanity. Clark was relayed instructions by the FAC controller overhead to get in the water after dark and float downstream where Norris and his team would intercept him. Available on Amazon. Bloomington, Ind.

Frink, who was seriously wounded, urged Astorga to get out and away from the aircraft. Arlington Cemetery Net. Journal Gazette. Edit Storyline Lt. It was a hell of a price to pay for one life. The wounded Vietnamese troops had to be evacuated. Main article: Rescue of Bat 21 Bravo. Grapevine, Texas: Nissi Publishing. Drama , War. George Walker : I'll build one!

Joe Dorsey. Plot Summary. Archived from the original on October 6, A whole army after him Hambleton was told to sit tight while they worked up an alternative plan. Washington, D. Primer of the Helicopter War. Archived from the original on March 20,

Ross Carver Clayton Rohner Plot Summary. On 4 April, a flight of ten Douglas A-1 Skyraiders, half the total available in all of South Vietnam, attempted to pave the way for a SAR team, and it was badly shot up. He hid in a bamboo patch until local villagers came looking for him and cut it down. Danny Glover. Anderson now planned to rescue Hambleton and Clark. They suddenly found themselves painted by Fan Song radar and narrowly missed getting shot down as well. He concluded that the air rescue could not be attempted at that time due to the heavy concentration of North Vietnamese forces in the immediate area around Clark and Hambleton.

He was astonished at the huge number of NVA troops, equipment, and heavy weapons in the area. Edit page. Director : Peter Markle. Archived from the original on April 24, Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Landing on the river bank, they were met by some ARVN soldiers. Release date. July 26, And only one man can save him. Por el momento todo lo que puede hacer es ocultarse, escuchar y hacer caso de la voz de un amigo.

The wounded Vietnamese troops had to be evacuated. Norris was left with five Vietnamese commandos who spoke little English. Larry F. Pieces of the tail rotor struck the main rotor, and the aircraft rolled and crashed on its left side, burning ferociously. Anderson, and the second, published after considerable classified information was released, The Rescue of Bat 21 by Darrel D. Thomas White, the Troop operations officer. Views Read Edit View history. Technical Specs.

Archived from the original on October 5, The two aircraft were escorting a cell of three Bs. Norris and Anderson called in air strikes in an attempt to weaken the NVA's resistance, but the NVA answered with mortar rounds and B rockets that struck the team's position. Sunrise was coming, and although Norris thought it best to wait until dark to return downriver, Hambleton needed to be evacuated immediately. The ones that do survive face guilt, problems assimilating back into every day life, and a society that doesn't seem to support them. Joe Dorsey. Robin F. They wanted me to move southeast yards. To protect the downed airmen and the search and rescue forces, Col. Anderson now planned to rescue Hambleton and Clark.

Por el momento todo lo que puede hacer es ocultarse, escuchar y hacer caso de la voz de un amigo. User Ratings. Three North Vietnamese divisions were attacking and the 3rd ARVN could not reply for several hours with artillery or request tactical air strikes in the area. The Lt. Iceal "Ham" Hambleton is a weapons countermeasures expert and when his aircraft is shot over enemy territory the Air Force very much wants to get him back. Guardar mi nombre, correo electrónico y sitio web en este navegador para la próxima vez que haga un comentario. He concluded that the air rescue could not be attempted at that time due to the heavy concentration of North Vietnamese forces in the immediate area around Clark and Hambleton. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. There were also political overtones to Hambleton's rescue. Finally I said to myself, Goddamn it, the one thing that keeps our boys motivated is the certain belief that if they go down, we will do absolutely everything we can to get them out.

Vietnamese Man as Rev. Despite the best efforts of the remaining aircraft, Jolly Green 67 was critically damaged. On 6 April at , a third attempt was made to pick Hambleton and now Clark up. This article is about the actual rescue. Finally I said to myself, Goddamn it, the one thing that keeps our boys motivated is the certain belief that if they go down, we will do absolutely everything we can to get them out. The airmen were surprised by the intensity of the anti-aircraft fire and SAM activity. Archived from the original on March 16, Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends.

Captain Bartholomew Clark. They recognized that, if a SAR mission was predestined to fail, it should not be attempted, and other options, such as special operations, diversionary tactics and other creative approaches tailored to the situation, had to be considered. Clayton Rohner. User Ratings. North Vietnamese response was limited. November 9, This article is about the actual rescue. He concluded that the air rescue could not be attempted at that time due to the heavy concentration of North Vietnamese forces in the immediate area around Clark and Hambleton. Peter Chapman volunteered to pilot Jolly Green 67, despite the fact that he was "short", due to return home very soon.

Metacritic Reviews. They suddenly found themselves painted by Fan Song radar and narrowly missed getting shot down as well. The draw down of troops had left the unit shorthanded and Hambleton was the senior officer among a group of senior navigators. The U. Views Read Edit View history. To save time, Hambleton passed through the abandoned village that concealed the guns that shot down his would-be rescuers. The NVA pointed their Fan Song radar at the Bs, targeting them unsuccessfully with radar guided anti-aircraft fire. Peter Markle. Instead of going to the airport, she collapsed after seeing an Air Force officer and a chaplain walk up her sidewalk.

Norris was left with five Vietnamese commandos who spoke little English. Hambleton found refuge in a group of bushes in the middle of the rice paddy. Hambleton had two survival radios, a first aid kit, two kinds of flares, a knife and a. The rescuer's initial plan was to swim upriver and meet Clark, but Norris tested the current and decided it was too strong. Jerry Reed. Namespaces Article Talk. The military also improved the night capability of helicopters and area denial munitions. In this movie he and the Dozen are suppose to destroy a nerve gas manufacturing plant before the Germans can make enough to use against the Allies. Norris readily supported the nomination of Petty Officer Third Class Nguyen Van Kiet for the Navy Cross , the highest award that the navy can give to a foreign national. Danny Glover.

Edit Cast Cast overview, first billed only: Gene Hackman Hambleton's capture would be a terrific blow to American airpower around the world and a huge prize for the North Vietnamese and indirectly, the Soviets. Denny Sapp [35] : 95 from the carrier Hancock killed a number of North Vietnamese troops and provided cover for his final escape. Icke in Bilk 11 overhead called in air support and five U. Gatwood, co-pilot; and EWOs Lt. When the aircraft crew spotted the missiles, the pilot assumed they had as usual been fired from north of the DMZ. Clark and Hambleton were several miles apart. November 9,

The squadron physician is assigned to determine the embittered Bill Forrester's fitness for duty. William C. The remaining aircraft exited to the south across the Song Meiu Giang. Anderson book , William C. Archived from the original on May 24, On 2 April , the Easter Offensive , the largest combined arms operation of the entire Vietnam War, was in its third day. Official Sites. I bet you wouldn't do that again. Pritzker Military Library.

The SAR task force mission leader, Capt. December Returning to the river, the three men were soon able to receive support from South Vietnamese forces. Although the village had been bombed, he was confronted by a North Vietnamese soldier. American response to the NVA operation virtually ground to a halt [16] : as air resources were diverted to support the recovery, and for a few days defense of the northern border area was second in priority to rescuing Hambleton. The Cam Lo Bridge is shown at the far left. The rescue of Bat 21 was a watershed event for the military and led them to find a new approach to high-threat search and rescue. Air and Space Power Journal.

Anderson screenplay , George Gordon screenplay. Por el momento todo lo que puede hacer es ocultarse, escuchar y hacer caso de la voz de un amigo. Navy A-4 Skyhawks led by Lt. A medida que van hablando se intercalan el instinto de supervivencia y el sentimiento de amistad, dentro del contexto de la guerra de Vietnam. Hambleton initially replied, "What have you been smoking? CMH Pub Evans, Alun. Danny Glover.

News reporters were very aware of the intense rescue efforts to bring Hambleton home. Director : Peter Markle. The U. Two A-1 Skyraiders also assisted, dropping both explosives and MK47 smoke bombs, providing a smokescreen. George Walker : I'll build one! Several attempts are made to recover Hambleton. The Times. Hambleton was a navigator aboard Bat The NVA air defense seriously challenged American air superiority and blunted the success of close air support in the area.

Language: English. Advised by the FAC to remain in place, Hambleton moved to a safer spot in the jungle and dug a hole to hide in until morning. Trailers and Videos. Yes No Report this. Henry M. Hambleton had Top Secret access to Strategic Air Command operations and was an expert in surface-to-air missile countermeasures. High School Icons, Then and Now. Helicopter Crew Michael Raden David A. The airmen were surprised by the intensity of the anti-aircraft fire and SAM activity.

Archived from the original on October 5, However, when they rounded a bend in the river, the NVA fired on them with a heavy caliber machine gun. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. James Harold Alley combat photographer. Los Angeles Times. External Reviews. Hambleton, USAF. Retrieved 6 January Jolly Green 66 flown by Lt. Hambleton hesitated, and the Jolly Green tried to pull away.

Rocky Smith and Capt. Hambleton was unable to walk and they carried him back to their bunker. Plot Keywords. Anderson , novelist and retired United States Air Force colonel. Colonel Douglass. This will allow the rescuers to keep track of his progress, making it easier for them to pick him up. After five days and multiple attempts to rescue Hambleton, five aircraft had been shot down and another 16 seriously damaged, [1] : 68 10 service members had been killed or were missing in action, two were POWs , and two were behind front lines also waiting to be rescued. Hambleton was concealed by a low fog bank as he landed in a dry rice paddy , unseen by the NVA troops. Hambleton's and Clark's spirits sank when they realized that six men died while attempting to rescue them.

Archived from the original on May 24, Improvising a code using a series of specific golf-course holes to guide him through the mine fields sown to protect him and to get him to the Song Meiu Giang, [10] they radioed him, "You're going to play 18 holes and you're going to get in the Swanee and make like Esther Williams and Charlie the Tuna. David Marshall Grant. The Air Force remained fully committed to finding and bringing back every downed air man, regardless of the cost. Archived from the original on March 16, When the aircraft crew spotted the missiles, the pilot assumed they had as usual been fired from north of the DMZ. El coronel Iceal Hambleton es un brillante estratega militar que sabe cuidar muy bien de sí mismo, pero a pies de altura. Academy of Achievement.

Edit page. As a result, they developed new techniques and equipment to improve their ability to rescue downed airmen. Bat A Case Study. A whole army after him October 14, Recent Movies. Colonel Iceal Hambleton Danny Glover Evans, Alun. Along the way however, he has to face enemy forces and the death of some of his fellow soldiers. William C.

He had on board with him Capt. After five days and multiple attempts to rescue Hambleton, five aircraft had been shot down and another 16 seriously damaged, [1] : 68 10 service members had been killed or were missing in action, two were POWs , and two were behind front lines also waiting to be rescued. His rescuers learned that he was one of the best golfers in the Air Force and that he retained a detailed memory of the golf courses he had played. He ordered that no further air CSAR would be attempted, but that given Hambleton's Top Secret clearance and knowledge of missiles and counter-measure technology, that every effort should be made to bring him out. Birddog becomes Hambleton's link to rescue. Using the golf-course code, he was directed towards the Song Meiu Giang. Some characters were composites of real people, while others were created for the film. Allen J.

However, when they rounded a bend in the river, the NVA fired on them with a heavy caliber machine gun. I didn't ask anybody for permission. Views Read Edit View history. Gene Hackman. Colonel Iceal Hambleton Danny Glover Archived from the original on September 4, Company Credits. The film premiered in the Philippines on September 8, , [6] a month before it premiered in the United States on October November 9, Anderson book , William C.