F-4C Phantom dedicated to fallen airmen

  • Published
  • By Janae' Daniels
  • AEDC/PA
Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. --  After visiting Iraq, Afghanistan and Walter Reed Army Hospital, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne was compelled by the overwhelming attitude of the military ethic of "standing watch so others may be free," in today's servicemen.

He faced a similar emotion today when a Vietnam era F-4C Phantom II static display was dedicated in his brother, Maj. Patrick Wynne and Col. Lawrence Golberg's honor at Arnold Air Force Base.

"Pat believed with all his heart in what he was doing," Secretary Wynne said. "It was a life that was not lived but well lived."

Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) Commander Col. Art Huber's opening remarks reflect the meaning of today's event.

"Today our dedication is focused on those who flew the phantom as much as it is on the aircraft itself," he said.

"We honor Colonel Golberg and Major Wynne who answered their countries call and bravely flew into harms way. Their payment of the ultimate price means you and I can be here today at this ceremony remembering their contributions and remembering them as great Americans."

Colonel Golberg and Major Wynne were a part of the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, known as the Triple Nickel, stationed at Ubon Royal Thai Air Base when they were killed in action Aug. 8, 1966. The F-4C Phantom displayed here is similar to the one they were piloting when they crashed in the jungle over North Vietnam after a reconnaissance mission and at one time was assigned to the 555th.

The two pilots were listed as "Missing in Action" until 1977 when their remains were located and returned to the United States. Major Wynne's remains rest at the Air Force Academy and Colonel Golberg's rest in his hometown in Minnesota.

As a further tribute to the men, two F-4s from the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron out of Tyndall AFB, Fla., performed a fly by during the ceremony.

Col. Lawrence Golberg
Born near Duluth, Minn., in 1932, Colonel Golberg was a graduate of the University of Minnesota and the Reserve Officers' Training Corp. (ROTC) program.

The colonel was one of the first Air Force F-4 pilots to shoot down a communist MIG-17. He did it April 30, 1966 during a Combat Air Patrol mission for a downed RF-101 pilot. Prior to his Vietnam duty he was a instructor pilot at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla.

Colonel Golberg's brother, Dr. Ralph Golberg also attended and spoke at the ceremony.
"In the past 41 years not a day has gone by that I have not thought of my big brother Larry," he said. "He would be proud of this moment. His spirit still lives within us."

His widow Margaret Golberg thought it fitting to not only remember Major Wynne and her husband for their sacrifices, but to remember those continuing the fight.

"I'm emotional not because I feel sad or glad, it's because I think of all, not only my husband or Major Wynne, but all of the fallen warriors and I hope that they will be remembered," he said. "I think it is important to not only remember the fallen but those who are still alive and carry on the mission."

Maj. Patrick Wynne
Major Wynne, born in Fairbanks, Alaska, Oct. 8, 1941, was raised in a large military family, which included three brothers and two sisters.

After graduating from the Air Force Academy in 1963, he earned a degree in political science from Georgetown University.

In 1965, then lieutenant Wynne became a fighter pilot and was later assigned to the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Thailand. His radio call sign was "Ozark."

Major Wynne had only been flying missions for four months in North Vietnam when he and Colonel Golberg were shot down by hostile anti-aircraft fire.

Dick Anderegg
The guest speaker for the dedication was Clarence "Dick" Anderegg, director of Air Force History and Museums Policies and Programs.

Mr. Anderegg served as an Air Force officer for 30 years and was a former F-4 Fighter Weapons School instructor pilot and flew more than 3,700 hours in the F-4C/D/E/G and the F-15A/C/E, including 170 combat missions during the Vietnam War.

During a portion of his speech, Mr. Anderegg proudly displayed a green hat with the inscription 555th TSF, Triple Nickel with a lieutenant's bar. As he continued his speech he took off the hat to pay respect to the men.

"These men of the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron loved that aircraft," he said. "It's what they started out with. They are the ones who set and carried the example; we stand on their shoulders. Even though I have flown some powerful aircraft in my military career, my heart belongs with the Phantom."