My name is Bill Willingham,
and I was assigned to the 366th Combat Security Police Squadron, Đà Nàng AB, from
June 1968 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 CO 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 Đà Nàng 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.
