Today my walk was dedicated in honor of :
Air Force SSGT Jackie Wayne Troglen, Age 22 of Sparta, TN.
KIA May 24, 1969 Vietnam
He served with the 7th Air Force, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, 16th Special Operations Squadron
He began his tour on February 28, 1969
On May 24, 1969, a U.S. Air Force AC-130A Hercules gunship from the 16th Special Operations Squadron was operating on a night-time reconnaissance flight checking for enemy truck traffic on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. The crew noticed a convoy and were preparing to attack when their Hercules was struck by two rounds of 37 mm anti-aircraft fire. It was flying at an altitude of 6500 feet near Ban Tabok, approximately 20 miles southwest of the A Shau Valley, when hit. The hydraulic system failed, and the flight crew were not able to use elevator trim, rudder control, or autopilot. Using differential engine power, the pilot managed to head to Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base for an emergency landing. While over Thai territory 20 miles from Ubon, several crew members were ordered to bail out before the landing. Five crewmen were aboard when the Hercules crash-landed, skidding off the runway, and bursting into flames. One of the wings was torn off after striking the barrier cable housing near the end of the runway. Three of the five aboard, including the pilot and co-pilot, were able to leap to safety, one crewman breaking his ankle. Two sergeants, however, were trapped in the wreckage, and perished in the inferno.
SSGT Jackie is honored at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall on Panel 24W, Line 99.
He was awared the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Good Conduct Medal
He is buried in the Plainview Cemetery, White County, TN.
Today we had an amazing 3.49 Mile walk and an amazing one hour honor flight . We started our walk in Sparta, TN. at the Veterans Park down town and we walked west on 70 West. We made a little detour off the main drag for a short distance and then walked back. We then drove to the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport where we met our Pilot for our Honor Flight. Aaron Tippin . We took flight around 4pm and we flew over Burgess Falls and then headed south to Rock Island State Park. I have been to both areas on foot. It really looks different from the sky. We then headed to Crossville, TN. We flew just north of Sparta Hwy until we reached Krogers then we made a turn and flew back over Holiday Hills lake and the Crossville Airport. It was amazing to see my house from the air. We flew back to Sparta to end the flight. I want to thank my friend Robert for walking and flying with us today. I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted during our walk today. A big thank you goes out to Aaron Tippin and Tennessee Flying Machines for making this all possible and helping us honor this great hero.
Air Force SSGT Jackie Wayne Troglen will not be forgotten !
