His first name was James. We were assigned to Cougar Security and at that time the town of Da Nang was off limits to Military personnel, and we never went anywhere except to the perimeter of the base to pull duty in a bunker or tower. One day we got permission and the whole Flight planned a barbecue at China beach--everybody was real excited due to the fact that was the first and only time we went any place as a whole Flight.

When we arrived at the beach we started setting up the barbecue and getting the food out, James along with several other guys jumped in the surf, it wasn't ten minutes later that one of the guys began yelling that James went under and didn't come up, several of us swam out to the area where he disappeared but we could not find him. We then ran up on the beach and pulled a boat into the water, so we could continue looking for him. W didn't have oars for the boat and the surf just pushed us back up on the beach. We asked some marines who were watching the whole thing from atop an amphibious launch craft if they could help us and they said they couldn't move without the permission of their Officer In Charge.

The Navy recovered James' body floating in the China Sea approximately ten days later.

George Adaza

China Beach, calm and beautiful most of the year. But storms at sea can raise surfer waves, and riptides unexpectedly.

You Tube: Videos of China Beach:

China Beach, Da Nang, Vietnam - Dec. 05 (Red Flag)

China Beach, Da Nang, Vietnam - Calm and beautiful

From: Willingham, William E.,VSPA
Subject: Death of A1C James Closson

My name is Bill Willingham, and I was assigned to the 366th Combat Security Police Squadron, Da Nang AB, from June '68 to March 1970 (22 months). I retired from the Air Force as A MSgt career cop. I worked as a peace officer here in Washington State, and now work for the Boeing Company as a Security Officer.

I just read George Adaza's letter about A1C James Closson's being lost in the South China Sea. I was friends with both James and George, and we lived in the same hutch (third from the end). I will never forget that day as long as I live. It hurt me deeply.

We were at China Beach, near Da Nang Air Base, for a Flight Cookout. I was in the water with James and a couple of other guys, playing around. The water began to get rough and large waves began to roll in. At that time I told James and a couple of other guys that we should get out of the water. But all of a sudden we saw a big wave coming in and decided to ride it in to the beach. When the wave got to us we all started swimming like hell for the beach. After a while, I was able to stand up in the waist deep water. When I looked around I saw Joe and the other guy, but did not see James. We started yelling his name but could not find him. At that time, the other Flight members hit the water swimming out and looking for James. A couple of guys tried to launch a row boat, but the sea and waves were too rough and the boat kept rolling over.

After a long search, our Flight Sergeant told everyone to get out of the water and on the beach. Some of us were crying, and I remember TSgt Dilly having tears in his eyes. We were told to pack up and get back to the Squadron area. When we left, we all felt like crap. All the Flight members hurt for a long time after this, and I have never forgotten James ... I can still remember his face.

Jim Farley, SMSgt (Ret), Cougar One, VSPA
Subject: Death of A1C James Closson

I did lose one fine young man on my flight (Cougar Flight). A1C James S. Closson was assigned to Cougar Flight. One day I managed to "scrounge" some steaks and other goodies from the chow hall and "acquired" a bus from the motor pool. I took the flight to China Beach for a cookout and some time on the beach. I was on the beach cooking the steaks, when someone came running up and telling me that Jim Closson had been caught in a riptide and swept out to sea. One of our guys had been a lifeguard and when he saw Jim in trouble, he swam out to him and had hold of him and was swimming back in with him when another wave separated them. That was the last we saw of Jim. We waved at a chopper flying overhead and motioned for them to search the area, which they did, but to no avail. I gathered all of the flight together and got them on the bus and then we prayed together. Several of the guys wanted to stay on the beach overnight in case Jim's body returned to shore, but we were told it wouldn't be safe to stay at night and we returned to the base. A few days later, Capt Jackson, came to my hut and asked me to go to the mortuary to identify Jim's body. He had been found at sea and his body returned to the base. I told Capt Jackson I would go to the mortuary if necessary, but really would rather remember Jim as I last saw him. Capt Jackson came back later and said it would not be necessary for me to id the body, his id had been confirmed by dental records. I wrote a letter to Jim's parents, conveying my sympathy and trying to explain what had happened. Later, when I returned to the states, my wife and I went to Saratoga Springs, NY, to visit Jim's parents and had a nice but difficult visit. To this day I have a small memorial to Jim Closson in my den/computer room and have been to The Wall in D.C. and to the traveling wall when it has been in Orlando and in our local town of Tavares, Florida. Each visit to "The Wall" has been a moving experience and given me opportunities to reflect on those days so many years ago.

Jim Farley, SMSgt (Ret)
Cougar One