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UPDATED: 28 Dec 04

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Note: Information covers only the SEA period

12th Tactical Fighter Wing

Lineage

Redesignated 12th Tactical Fighter Wing, and activated, on 17 Apr 1962. Organized on 25 Apr 1962. Inactivated on 17 Nov 1971.

Assignments

2d Air Division, 8 Nov 1965; Seventh Air Force, 1 Apr 1966–17 Nov 1971.

Stations

Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam, 8 Nov 1965; Phu Cat AB, South Vietnam, 31 Mar 1970–17 Nov 1971.

Aircraft

 F–4, 1964–1970, 1970–1971.               

Squadrons

43d: attached 8 Nov 1965–c. 4 Jan 1966. 

391st: attached 26 Jan–22 Jun 1966, assigned 23 Jun 1966–22 Jul 1968. 

480th: 31 Mar 1970–17 Nov 1971. 

555th: 8 Jan 1964–25 Mar 1966 (detached 8 Dec 1964–18 Mar 1965, 6 Nov 1965–25 Mar 1966). 

557th: 25 Apr 1962–8 Nov 1965; 1 Dec 1965– 31 Mar 1970. 

558th: 25 Apr 1962–31 Mar 1970 (detached 9 Mar–16 Jun 1965, 3 Feb–22 Jul 1968). 

559th: assigned 27 Dec 1965–31 Mar 1970

Operations

 Engaged in aerial combat in Southeast Asia, 19 Nov 1965–21 Oct 1971. Provided close air support, interdiction, rescue combat patrol, MiG patrol, and other activities. Destroyed fifteen Migs in air-to-air combat. Supported the South Vietnamese attack on enemy sanctuaries in Cambodia and Laos in 1971.   

Honors

Campaign Streamers. Vietnam: Vietnam Defensive; Vietnam Air; Vietnam Air Offensive; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III; Vietnam Air/ Ground; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV; TET 69/Counteroffensive; Vietnam Summer–Fall, 1969; Vietnam Winter–Spring, 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt V; Commando Hunt VI; Commando Hunt VII.

Decorations. Presidential Unit Citation: Southeast Asia, 8 Feb–8 Apr 1971. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat "V" Device: 15 Oct 1965–30 May 1966; 1 Jun 1966–31 May 1967; 1 Jun 1967–31 May 1968; 1 Jun 1968– 31 May 1969; 1 Jun 1969–31 Mar 1970; 1 Apr 1970–21 Oct 1971. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses with Palm: 15 Oct 1965–10 Nov 1971; 1 Apr 1966– 17 Nov 1971.

Tail Code:  

Aircraft:  

Vietnam Service:  

Commanders

 Col Levi R. Chase, 8 Oct 1965; Col Jones E. Bolt, 18 Oct 1966; Col Joel D. Thorvaldson, Mar 1967; Col Woodard E. Davis, Jr., 9 Apr 1967; Col Floyd White, 5 Apr 1968; Col Ramon R. Melton, 7 Apr 1969; Col Harry B. Trimble, 31 Mar 1970; Col Larry M. Killpack, 13 Apr 1970; Col Ralph S. Parr, 4 Oct 1970; Col Richard H. Schoeneman, 19 Feb 1971; Col Albert L. Melton, 4 Oct–17 Nov 1971.   

The majority of the Information on this page is from the USAF Historical Research Agency: http://www.maxwell.af.mil/au/afhra/

Looking forward to hearing from members of Air Force Units.