F-111 Aardvark Memorial

'Dedicated To Our Fallen Comrades Who Perished In The F-111 Defending Our Freedom'
(quote from the monument)

Below are the names of all 115 aircrew who have lost their lives in F-111 operations since 1967.

For the Fallen
by Laurence Binyon

They shall grow not old.
As we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun ... and in the morning ...
we will remember them.


	Doc, Boggy and Gator	Dignitaries

Geo Position: N34 24.244 W103 14.751 WGS84 GPS (DDD MM.MM)
Veterans Park, HWY 60 / 84, 4 miles east of Cannon AFB towards Clovis, NM.

Dignitaries in Attendance

Left to Right

Lt. Col Bob Brewster, 27th FW USAF

The Honorable Mayor of Clovis, NM Mr.David M. Lansford

RAAF WGCDR Mike "Boggy" Smith , Air-Attache Washington DC

Lt. Col Tan RSAF, Commander 428th FS, Cannon AFB

Mr. Steve 'Doc' Hyre, Steve"Gator" Bosang

Not pictured but also in attendance was The Honorable Mayor of Portales, NM Mr. Orlando Ortega Jr.

photo by Doc

The overall condition of The F-111 Veterans Memorial grounds has been a long term issue.
The local water used in the irrigation system is alkaline. The water spraying directly onto the granite stone has resulted in the significant deterioration of it's appearance.
To get the gold leaf redone and the stone work cleaned, will cost allot and who will pay.
In the past it has been funded by private individuals.

If you have any views on this subject please email - webmaster @F-111.net

The memorial at Veterans' Park, Clovis New Mexico, consists of F-111D 68-140, a plaque and a black granite wall. The plaque and black granite wall, which were cut from the same source as the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC, dedicates in gold inscription the 115 names below.

It is a unique memorial bringing together the names of contractor test pilots, USN, USAF and RAAF crews who lost their lives flying the F-111.
Dedicated November 16, 1996 from, and to all the lost members in the F-111 Worldwide community - a statement of loss and remembrance.

The memorial site is courtesy of the Citizens of Clovis NM, the USAF and preparatory members of Team Cannon - (Mayor of Clovis, Mr. David Lansford; and The Vark Memorial / Site Committee - Clovis City Commissioner Mr. Bobby Moreno, Mr. Ernest Skillern, Ms. Ernie Kos, Mr. Randy Harris, Mr. Gary Bayer, and Doc). "Doc Servo" a USAF Retiree and stalwart proponent of the F-111, was instrumental in the development and funding of this memorial. Tragically, since the memorials' dedication in 1996, two further names have had to be added.
F-111.net wishes to thank Doc and Gator for their personal funding to have the last two names added to the memorial.


Shorty and Nige.	Pulau Aur Memorial.

"Jez and CC" Memorial - dedicated in Guyra 16 May 2000.

Memorial Gets Further Devotement.

Additional words from Doc (Dec 99)

The City of Clovis via Mayor David Lansford, Mayor "Pro Tem" Bobby Moreno and City Commissioner "Ex-2500+ Hour Vark Driver" John Schuller's efforts have allocated funds to concrete the entire area under the F-111, this project as promised to Boggy Smith, Gator and Doc in May was completed in late November 1999.

The site is extremely tidy now with 100% concrete within the sitting wall. A "Good On Ya Mate" to Mayor Lansford and Vark advocates for their constant concern and involvement in our F-111 Aircrew Memorial ! A little sod, another flag pole for the Aussie flag (another Boggy / Doc project) and the site will be complete. Another note to the Vark community, a big thanks is also due to Boggy Smith and the RAAF Air Attaches' office for funding a total re-do of the gold lettering on the "Rock". Can't say enough about how wonderful and generous this act was.....to all our lost ones and surviving family members....let's just say "Thank You with a Humble Salute and a silent moment of prayer !

Memorial Day 1999

This year's 'Memorial Day' at Clovis New Mexico had special significance for the RAAF, coming just over a month after the loss of FLTLT Anthony Short and SQNLDR Stephen Hobbs. Wing Commander Mike Smith, a RAAF F-111 Navigator currently from the Australian Embassy in Washington, was present to thank those concerned for the memorial.


WGCDR Mike 'Bogey' Smith gives the Memorial Day introduction.	Dignitaries from the USAF, RAAF and RSAF.	Wreath Laying Ceremony

The One Hundred and Fifteen

USAF-GD Model	MAJ Herbert F. Brightwell, USAF-GD (Joint Test Task Force - JTF ) WSO Donovan L McCance - survived but was badly burned F-111A 63-9774, pre-production model 19 January 1967
	Mr Ralph H. "Dixie" Donnell - Grumman Test Pilot Mr Charles E. Wangeman F-111B pre-production 151973 21 April 1967		Grumman 67
USAF USAF	MAJ Henry Elmer. "Hank" MacCann (image courtesy of Doug Loeffler) CAPT Dennis Lee Graham -------------- (image courtesy of Doug Loeffler) F-111A 66-022 Combat Loss 28 March 1968 - "first combat loss" Call Sign - Omaha 77 Missing presumed dead. POW/MIA REFNO 1107-0-01 / -02. Henry Elmer Mac Cann, he is at Panel 46E Row 57 on the memorial wall.		Maj.Henry E 'Hank' .MacCann	Capt-Dennis.Lee.Graham.jpg
USAF USN	05, Lt Col Edwin David "Lucky" Palmgren (image courtesy of Col. Jack Broughton via Doug Loeffler) 04, Lt Cmdr David Leo "Spade" Cooley.....(image courtesy of Doug Loeffler) F-111A 66-024 Combat Loss, 22 April 1968 Missing presumed dead. POW/MIA REFNO 1139-0-01 / -02 (1137 previously listed in error).		Lt Col Edwin D.Palmgren	CMDR David L."Spade"Cooley
	Mr Barton Warren - Hughes Aircraft Test Pilot Mr Anthony Byland - MCO pre-production F-111B 151971 11 September 1968
USAF USAF	CAPT Robert E. Jobe CAPT William D. Fuchlow F-111A 66-042 12 February 1969
USAF USAF	LT COL Thomas J. Mack MAJ James L. Anthony F-111A 67-049 22 December 1969
USAF USAF	LT COL Robert S. Montgomery - LT COL Charles G. Robinson FB-111A 68-253 8 October 1970		If anyone personally new Robert Montgomery then his son would like to hear from you - webmaster@F-111.net	Col Robert Montgomery
USAF USAF	LT COL Bruce D. Stocks MAJ Billy C. Gentry FB-111A 68-283 8 January 1972
USAF USAF	MAJ James W. Hurt III MAJ Robert J. Furman F-111E 67-117 23 April 1971
USAF USAF	LT COL Floyd B. Sweet LT COL Kenneth T. Blank - F105 Vietnam Veteran F-111E 68-018 18 January 1972			Kenneth T. Blank
USAF USAF	COL Keith E. Brown LT COL James D. Black F-111A 67-082 18 June 1972		Flick 79
USAF USAF	MAJ William C. "Horse" Coltman later promoted twice to COL 1LT Robert Arthur "Lefty" Brett JR later promoted twice to CAPT F-111A 67-078 Combat Loss - 28th September 1972 Missing presumed dead. POW/MIA REFNO 1929-0-01 / -02. Aircraft wreckage found in Laos. See Honolulu Star-Bulletin. COL Coltman's and Capt Brett's remains were positively identified, and interned at Arlington 3 Apr 2002 and 1 Aug 2002 respectively. Refer Ranger 23 webpage. More images of Col "Wild Bill Horse" Coltman here. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/wccoltman.htm		Maj Coltman	1LT Brett
USAF USAF	CAPT James Alan Hockridge 1LT Allen Upton Graham F-111A 67-066 Combat Loss 16 October 1972 Loss Coordinates: 211526N 1054135E (WJ719506)		Coach 33
USAF USAF	MAJ Robert Mack Brown MAJ Robert D Morrissey - The following April he was promoted to Lt Colonel F-111A 67-063 Combat Loss 7 November 1972 - Call Sign - Whaler 57 Missing presumed dead. POW/MIA REFNO 1945-0-01 / -02.		MAJ Robert D Morrissey	MAJ Robert Mack Brown
USAF USAF	CAPT Ronald Dean Stafford CAPT Charles Joseph Cafferrelli F-111A 67-092 Combat Loss 21 November 1972		Burger 54
USAF USAF	LT COL Ronald Jack Ward MAJ James R. McElvain F-111A 67-099 Combat Loss 18 December 1972 Missing presumed dead. POW/MIA REFNO 1952-0-01 / -02.		Snug 40
USAF USAF	MAJ William W. Gude CAPT David C. Blackledge F-111D 68-158 20 March 1973
USAF USAF	MAJ Richard L. Brehm MAJ William T. Halloran F-111D 68-105 20 March 1973
USAF USAF	CAPT William K. Delaplane III LT Robert J. Kierce F-111D 68-113 23 December 1973			LT Robert J. Kierce
USAF USAF	CAPT William Arthur Kennedy CAPT David C. McKennon F-111F 70-2395 11 September 1974
USAF USAF	CAPT Ralph David Bowles MAJ Merle "Don" Kenney - WSO F-111A 66-058 7 October 1975			CAPT Ralph David Bowles
USAF USAF	CAPT Edward R. Riley CAPT Jeremiah E. Sheehan FB-111A 68-266 14 February 1977
RAAF RAAF	SQNLDR John Francis\ Holt FLT LT Adam Phillip Winold Noordink - 'Phil' F-111C A8-133 29 September 1977 - Call Sign - Falcon 32 - http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2006/oct/20061004.cfm
			SQNLDR John F Holt	FLT LT Phil Noodink
USAF USAF	CAPT Richard L. Cardenas CAPT Steven C. Nelson F-111D 68-093 3 October 1977
USAF USAF	CAPT Stephen H. Reid CAPT Carl T. Poole F-111F 73-0718 5 October 1977	Life, for all it has been, is good. Every encounter, every event worth experiencing. I believe in my God, my country and my fellow man. I believe in the worth of every individual and that human dignity is worth every sacrifice necessary to maintain it.I am the soldier of righteousness, I am the warrior of humanity. I am the goodness of my life. If I die before my time, if I live beyond my expectation, let it be said that my life was good and that I was true to myself, my god, my country, my fellow man. There are no regrets. No petty hatred, only a contentment. I have lived, I have contributed, I have loved. This is the essence of my existence, this is the worth of my life. Carl Thomas Poole Captain, United States Air Force 1977 (the above words were written by Carl Poole only two weeks before his death, and read aloud by his widow at the memorial service)
USAF USAF	CAPT John J. Sweeney CAPT William W. "Maxwell" Smart F-111E 68-070 31 October 1977
USAF USAF	CAPT Arthur Stowe MAJ Lorley "Skip" Wagner F-111A 67-083 30 November 1977
USAF USAF	CAPT Charles H. Kitchell 1LT Jeffery Moore F-111F 73-0717 29 March 1978
USAF USAF	MAJ Gary A. Mekash LT COL Eugene M. Soeder F-111A 67-105 5 July 1979
USAF USAF	CAPT David W. Powell CAPT Douglas A. Pearce F-111E 68-0042 24 July 1979
USAF USAF	Major Myles D. Hammon - grave marker at Ft. Sam in San Antonio, Sect.6 Site 1072 2LT Larry E. McFarland F-111A 66-0052 31 July 1979
USAF USAF	CAPT Phillip B. Donovan CAPT William J. Full FB-111A 68-0261 18 September 1979
USAF USAF	Capt Randolf P Gaspard Maj Frank B Slusher F-111E 68-0045 12 December 1979		Lay 40
USAF USAF	CAPT Richard A. Hetzner CAPT Raymond C. Spaulding F-111E 68-0003 19 December 1979
USAF USAF	CAPT Roy W. Westerfield 2LT Steven P. Anderson F-111D 68-0119 6 February 1980
USAF USAF	CAPT Jack A. Hines CAPT Richard J. Franks F-111E 68-0057 29 April 1980 Remains of vertical stabilizer that was placed on display in the 77th TFS’s 20th TFW bar (“Sweet Floyd’s) at Upper Heyford, in memory of the crew. Image courtesy of Arthur E. Sevigny MSgt USAF (Retired) 20th FW Historian		CAPT Jack A. Hines	CAPT Richard J. Franks
USAF USAF	CAPT Joseph G. Raker CAPT Larry R. Honza F-111A 67-0097 26 March 1980
USAF USAF	MAJ Ulysses S. "Sam" Taylor 1st Lt Paul E. Yeager F-111D 68-0139 14 July 1980 MAJ Ulysses S. "Sam" Taylor - image courtesy of his son & grand son Ulysses S. Taylor IV and Sam Taylor V			MAJ Ulysses S. "Sam" Taylor
USAF USAF	MAJ Thomas M. Mullen CAPT Gary A. Davis FB-111A 68-0268
USAF USAF	MAJ Howard L. Tallman III CAPT William R. Davy F-111D 68-0160 - 14 / 15 September 1982 - (12pm)
USAF USAF	MAJ Burnley L. Rudiger 1LT Steven J. Pitt F-111F 70-2377 7 December 1982			Maj B.L.Rudiger
USAF USAF	CAPT Charles M. Vidas 1LT Steven A. Groark F-111F 74-0188 26 April 1983
USAF USAF	CAPT David K. Peth CAPT Steven F. Locke F-111A 66-0026 13 March 1984
USAF USAF	CAPT Alan J. "Tex" Pryor 1LT Albert H. "Rip" Torn F-111D 68-0164 17 October 1984			1Lt Albert Torn
RAAF USAF	FLTLT Stephen M. Erskine CAPT Gregory S. Angell - on exchange with RAAF F-111C A8-139 28 January 1986
USAF USAF	MAJ Fernando L. Ribas-Dominicci CAPT Paul F. Lorence F-111F 70-2389 Combat Loss 14/15 April 1986 Call Sign Karma 52			Capt.Paul.F.Lorence

RAAF
RAAF

FLTLT Mark "Speed" Fallon - images supplied by Karen Fallon (sister)
FLGOFF William Pike
F-111C A8-128 2 April 1987
View "unofficial"accident report
Crash site near Tenterfield NSW during night simulated attack.
Callsign - Falcon Sabre 1.

FLTLT Mark Fallon

Falcon Sabre 1.

FLGOFF William Pike

USAF USAF	CAPT Thomas F. "Chip" Stem CAPT Philip D. "Phil" Baldwin F-111F 70-2375 28 July 1987	Badger 21
USAF USAF	CAPT Robert A. Meyer Jr. CAPT Frederick A. Gerhart F-111A 67-0102 12 January 1988	Honest 21
USAF USAF	CAPT Glenn E. Troster CAPT Michael A. Barritt F-111D 68-0098 8 June 1988	Cubid 12
USAF USAF	1LT Bob Boland CAPT James A. Gleason F-111F 70-2397 5 April 1989	Greebie 54

USAF
USAF

CAPT Clifford W. Massengill
1LT Thomas G. Dorsett
F-111E 68-0001 5 February 1990

Capt Clifford W Massengill - left
1LT Thomas G. Dorsett - right

USAF USAF	CAPT Frederick A "Art" Reid CAPT Thomas R. "TC" Caldwell F-111F 74-00183 10 October 1990		Cougar 41
USAF USAF	CAPT Douglas L. Bradt CAPT Paul R. Eichenlaub II EF-111A 66-0023 Combat Loss 13 February 1991		Rachet 75

USAF USAF	CAPT Jerry C. Lindh MAJ D. Michael McGuire F-111E 68-0052 17 September 1992 Geo Position: N51 56.066 W1 16.581 WGS84 GPS Upper Heyford village end of runway. Image of plaque taken by webmaster May 2003
		Just off the UH runway	Capt-Jerry.C.Lindh & his parents

RAAF
RAAF

FLTLT Jeremy "Jez" McNess
FLTLT Mark "CC" Cairns-Cowan
F-111C A8-127 13 September 1993 (See Guyra Memorial)

RAAF
RAAF

FLTLT Anthony "Shorty" Short (promoted SQNLDR)
SQNLDR Stephen "Nige" Hobbs
F-111G A8-291 18 April 1999 (See Pulau Aur Memorial)

Shorty

Nige

A note from Steve Hyre aka "Doc"

Special thanks to Wendie Glaze

Ms. Glaze owns the Monument company, she ordered "The Rock" on faith.....& in doing so started the fundraising....even prior to the first US dollar commited, has paid her men to clean and maintain, added Shorty and Nige, The gold lettering re-guild Boggy Smith arranged also from USAF/RAAF attache's office in DC..

Wendie Glaze is an unhearalded woman who is best described as the best friend The Vark Community's Memorial has and her efforts have brought some joy to family members & friends alike.

Bobby Moreno is "taps"....a good man of Clovis that has now met Shorty, Horse Coltman, Al Graham
and 111 other favored F-111 sons.

Bobby lives via The 68-140 display......

http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/PROJECT/nam_pows.htm
- website dedicated to all who paid the ultimate price in the Vietnam War

Source: Original photos taken of the memorial at Veterans' Park, Clovis New Mexico by Ron VanDerwarker January 1997.