11 March, 1968

druid · 03-11-2008, 08:26 PM

40 years ago today, March 11, 1968, the Air Force suffered it's single biggest ground combat loss, when LS 85, a secret radar site in Laos, was attacked and overrun by ARVN troops, who scaled a sheer cliff to stage the attack. 11 died on the ground, and 1 was mortally wounded as the rescue chopper he was on lifted off the ground. That one, CMSgt Richard Echburg, recieved the Air force Cross posthumously, for his actions on the ground, which enabled some of his fellow soldiers to be rescued. Only 1 of the men on the ground has been recovered and returned to his family. The others rest in a place known only to God.

Druid

ells · 03-11-2008, 09:17 PM

Druid,

You seem to know a little too much about this, was that person known to you?

03-11-2008, 10:27 PM

May God keep watch on their souls for eternity.

druid · 03-11-2008, 10:59 PM

Those men, what they were doing there, it's a part of our, my heritage. I was a part of the same outfit, worked the Laos moutaintop radars a few years later than this incident. Much of what happened there was kept secret even from those of us who came there later. Everything about that operation right to the end, was kept secret. It had to be that way, back then. Do a google search on LS85, or "Lima Site 85". It'll tell you part of the story.

rlfaubion · 03-11-2008, 11:02 PM

There are many people actively working towards resolving such issues. I've met some. They're amazing, relentless, and they'll never forget.

Thanks to CMSgt Richard Echburg and those that served with him for their service and sacrifice for all of us.

Not to be forgotten.

druid · 03-11-2008, 11:04 PM

http://limasite85.us/

03-12-2008, 07:21 AM

Thanks druid.

buckeye · 03-12-2008, 08:10 AM

May God bless those who serve and sacrifice all to protect our freedom.

jussmatt · 03-12-2008, 11:08 AM

Very Impressive!!! I doubt any of us will ever know what all they do for us!! Incredible guys...one and all!!!

flightdoc · 03-12-2008, 04:18 PM

next time you see a soldier.....tell them how you feel. You couldn't begin to imagine how good it feels.
I ,like druid , was a product of the Vietnam era and remember how the public sentiment was toward soliers then, not like it is today.

THANKS DRUID. You made a difference for me.

dakals · 03-12-2008, 04:41 PM

My prayers to all you have died and survived. May god keep all of you safe!!!!

rflnomad · 03-12-2008, 07:13 PM

Thank you for your service.

03-12-2008, 09:29 PM

jussmatt · 03-12-2008, 10:29 PM

Quote:

next time you see a soldier.....tell them how you feel. You couldn't begin to imagine how good it feels.
I ,like druid , was a product of the Vietnam era and remember how the public sentiment was toward soliers then, not like it is today.

THANKS DRUID. You made a difference for me.

I do that now!!!

druid · 03-13-2008, 12:26 AM

I need to make a correction. It was not ARVN who attacked, it was NVA. Wasn't thinking clearly.

Quote:

40 years ago today, March 11, 1968, the Air Force suffered it's single biggest ground combat loss, when LS 85, a secret radar site in Laos, was attacked and overrun by ARVN troops, who scaled a sheer cliff to stage the attack. 11 died on the ground, and 1 was mortally wounded as the rescue chopper he was on lifted off the ground. That one, CMSgt Richard Echburg, recieved the Air force Cross posthumously, for his actions on the ground, which enabled some of his fellow soldiers to be rescued. Only 1 of the men on the ground has been recovered and returned to his family. The others rest in a place known only to God.

Druid

03-11-2008, 08:26 PM	#1
druid Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 42	11 March, 1968 40 years ago today, March 11, 1968, the Air Force suffered it's single biggest ground combat loss, when LS 85, a secret radar site in Laos, was attacked and overrun by ARVN troops, who scaled a sheer cliff to stage the attack. 11 died on the ground, and 1 was mortally wounded as the rescue chopper he was on lifted off the ground. That one, CMSgt Richard Echburg, recieved the Air force Cross posthumously, for his actions on the ground, which enabled some of his fellow soldiers to be rescued. Only 1 of the men on the ground has been recovered and returned to his family. The others rest in a place known only to God. Druid Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

03-11-2008, 09:17 PM	#2
ells Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Boulder County, Colorado Posts: 2,014	11 March, 1968 Druid, You seem to know a little too much about this, was that person known to you?
	0

03-11-2008, 10:27 PM	#3
Guest Posts: n/a	11 March, 1968 May God keep watch on their souls for eternity.
	0

03-11-2008, 10:59 PM	#4
druid Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 42	11 March, 1968 Those men, what they were doing there, it's a part of our, my heritage. I was a part of the same outfit, worked the Laos moutaintop radars a few years later than this incident. Much of what happened there was kept secret even from those of us who came there later. Everything about that operation right to the end, was kept secret. It had to be that way, back then. Do a google search on LS85, or "Lima Site 85". It'll tell you part of the story.
	0

03-11-2008, 11:02 PM	#5
rlfaubion Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,582	11 March, 1968 There are many people actively working towards resolving such issues. I've met some. They're amazing, relentless, and they'll never forget. Thanks to CMSgt Richard Echburg and those that served with him for their service and sacrifice for all of us. Not to be forgotten. Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

03-11-2008, 11:04 PM	#6
druid Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 42	11 March, 1968 http://limasite85.us/
	0

03-12-2008, 07:21 AM	#7
Guest Posts: n/a	11 March, 1968 Thanks druid.
	0

03-12-2008, 08:10 AM	#8
buckeye Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: south central Ohio Posts: 294	11 March, 1968 May God bless those who serve and sacrifice all to protect our freedom.
	0

03-12-2008, 11:08 AM	#9
jussmatt Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Richmond, TX. Posts: 2,588	11 March, 1968 Very Impressive!!! I doubt any of us will ever know what all they do for us!! Incredible guys...one and all!!!
	0

03-12-2008, 04:18 PM	#10
flightdoc Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Barrington, New Hampshire Posts: 1,285	11 March, 1968 next time you see a soldier.....tell them how you feel. You couldn't begin to imagine how good it feels. I ,like druid , was a product of the Vietnam era and remember how the public sentiment was toward soliers then, not like it is today. THANKS DRUID. You made a difference for me.
	0

03-12-2008, 04:41 PM	#11
dakals Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Beloit,WI Posts: 4,256	11 March, 1968 My prayers to all you have died and survived. May god keep all of you safe!!!!
	0

03-12-2008, 07:13 PM	#12
rflnomad Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: PSL, Fla; Posts: 596	11 March, 1968 Thank you for your service. __________________ 2005 Kawasaki Nomad, Black & Silver. 2006 Kawasaki KLR650, Lime Green! 2006 Ford F150 SuperCrew, 2WD, 4.6L; white & gold 1965 Pontiac GTO, 389 4 Speed. Bluemist Slate Cruising the back roads, that is living! Member #000033.
	0

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