Det- of the Da Nang AB Sapper Attack, July 1, 1965
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To:
| Steve Gattis, Vietnam Security Police Association, Inc. (USAF), President Emeritus
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From:
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Don Poss, Vietnam Security Police Association, Inc. (USAF), Webmaster
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Date:
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August 7, 2009
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Subject:
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Da Nang AB sapper/mortar attack of 1 July 1965, and then airman Albert Handy’s actions
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Steve Gattis:
I am requesting that the Vietnam Security Police Association, Inc. (USAF) use its influence officially and informally to request the United States Air Force review the Da Nang AB attack of 1 July 1965, including after-action and OSI reports if any, and consider the merits of whether Mr. Handy should receive an award or citation for his actions. I believe that is permissible in the interest of justice, and based on new independent corroborating information, including handwritten statements from involved personnel taken at the time of the event, as well as recent statements obtained from other airmen and squadron officers who participated in the defense of Da Nang Air Base on 1 July 1965. As you know, during the Vietnam War on 1 July 1965, Da Nang AB received a stand-off mortar and sapper attack during which TSgt Jensen was the first Air Policeman of the war to be killed in action. His heroic actions saved the lives of at least twenty-five air crew members taking shelter in a bunker during that attack, for which he was awarded the Silver Star. For years, rumors alleged that a TDY airman was at Da Nang AB with TSgt Jensen at the moment of attack, and either participated in the defense of the base and flight line with honor, or without honor. No one seemed to know who that airman was. However, I received an email from Albert Handy (A1C) who stated that he is the airman that was with TSgt Jensen when he was KIA. I have received several statements from VSPA’s members, and others, who either witnessed, have knowledge of, or participated in the base defense during the 1 July 1965 attack. After reviewing those interview statements (see attached), I believe that but for then airman Albert Hendy’s actions, at the direction of TSgt Jensen, there would likely be an additional twenty-five names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. today. Although Albert Handy and MSgt Bush, reported that A1C Handy’s actions on 1 July 1965 may have resulted in his nomination for a BSM w/v, no acknowledgements of his actions have ever been received by him. _______________________________ Donald L. Poss 7958 Trevino Avenue, Hemet, CA 93545 Res Ph: 951-325-7244 / Cell Ph: 951-264-1263 Cc: Newell Swartz, Vietnam Security Police, Inc. (USAF), President Attachments: 1 hardcopy of information concerning the Da Nang AB attack of 1 July 1965; 3 CDs with PDF files of the hardcopy information. |
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