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34th Tactical Fighter Squadron - Thud Era
Korat RTAFB, Thailand - May 1966 to May 1969
Guys: Last name starting with S through Z
These are some of the men that were members of the 34th TFS during the Thud era. Click on a name to see a picture from that era and a current address if we have it. Howard Plunkett has compiled F-105 histories on most of the people and these can be accessed via a link under the name.
(Click most pictures for larger images.)
S
John Schell
Daniel P. Seals
We don't have a vintage picture of Dan, but he is shown in the March 1969 Squadron picture.
Danny was in the 34th TFS when they operated for a while from Takhli.
Joseph S. Sechler
E-mail address: 34thf105plt@gmail.com
Jacob C. "Jake" Shuler
Jake arrived in late September 1967 and flew 48 combat missions including 46 counters before accepting an assignment to the Command & Control Division of 7th AF Headquarters in February 1968. Since Jake's brother was scheduled to begin flying F-4's with the 558th TFS at Cam Rhan Bay in March 1968, this reassignment was to honor his parents' preference to avoid having both sons flying combat at the same time.
William P. Shunney - Deceased
We don't have a vintage picture of Bill, but he is shown in the early 1968 squadron picture.
He completed 100 missions in September 1968.
William Shunney died August 18, 2016, at age 86.
Ken Singer
Dewey Lee Smith - Deceased
Dewey was shot down on 2 June 1967 near Kep and spent the rest of the conflict as a POW. More details are on the POW Network.
Dewey is also honored on Veteran Tributes.
Dewey is also honored on Veteran Tributes.
March 2010 update: "I am Captain Jonathan Smith, one of Colonel D. L. Smith's sons. He and my mother still live in Louisville, KY and are doing fine. Some additional background on my father in reference to service awards awards: Two Silver Stars, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, Bronze Star with V, two Purple Hearts, along with numerous other citations and service medals."
Robert W. Smith - Deceased
Bob was awarded the Air Force Cross for a mission on November 19, 1967.
Read his citation on the History page.
Be sure to read Bob's autobiography; it has lots of people you know.
Plus, there is a nice write-up on the Veteran's Tribute web site and on The Military Times Hall of Valor.
Jack L. Spearman
Email: gespear@tampabay.rr.com
John T. Stadler - Deceased
We don't have a vintage picture of John.
He completed 100 missions in February 1967.
He completed 100 missions in February 1967.
LtCol John T Stadler died on June 4, 1977, when F-105F, #63-8315, caught fire near Nicklesville, GA. The front seat pilot ejected and was rescued, however, something went wrong with the rear seat ejection and J T was killed.
James L. Stewart - Deceased
We don't have a vintage picture of James.
His official biography is on the Air Force web site.
Brigadier General (Retired) James L. Stewart died on January 9, 2008, at the age of 84.
Robert Allan Stewart - Deceased
He was shot down on May 12, 1967, and declared missing in action (POW Network account).
He is also listed on the Honor Roll page.
He is also listed on the Honor Roll page.
Dwight E. Sullivan - Deceased
We don't have a vintage picture of Dwight, however, he is shown in pictures 5 & 6 on the Pictures Page.
There was a nice story about Dwight in the March 2017 issue of Sun Life. Here is a pdf version.
Dwight E. Sullivan was shot down on October 17, 1967, near Dap Cau Bridge and spent the remainder of the conflict as a POW.
More details are on the POW Network. His biography is also on the Veterans Tribute site.
More details are on the POW Network. His biography is also on the Veterans Tribute site.
Dwight Everett Sullivan died on December 8, 2019, at age 88.
John Bernard Sullivan III - Deceased
The only picture we have of John is from his POW/MIA sheet.
He was shot down on 21 June 1966 and later declared killed in action.
More details are on the POW network.
More details are on the POW network.
John W. "Jack" Swanson - Deceased
Tony Gardecki, Carl McKenzie, and Jack Swanson enjoy a Mexican dinner prepared by Carl. April 1967.
Capt. John (Jack) W. Swanson was killed in action on 15 June 67 while flying F-105 #61-0213 near Dong Khe.
A bit more detail is provided on the POW Network.
Paul F. Swanson
We don't have a vintage picture of Paul, but he is shown in the March 1969 squadron picture.
Paul was in the 34th when it operated TDY from Takhli.
Barry G. Swarts
Edward L. Sykes
Ed was David Dinan’s roommate when Dave was shot down. Over the years it bothered him that David’s remains were never recovered and he made several trips to Laos to search for the site. Ed wrote a detailed book about his efforts: The Patch and The Stream Where the American Fell. Every Ram should read this account!
T
James L. Taylor - Deceased
We don't have a vintage picture of Jim, but he is shown in the October 1967 squadron picture.
Major (Retired) James L. Taylor died on January 19, 1985.
Mervin M. Taylor - Deceased
Then Lt/Col Mervin Taylor completed his 100 missions in September 1967.
He retired as a Brigadier General; official biography.
Merv Taylor died on August 10, 2010.
William A. "Bill" Thomas - Deceased
Marshall D. Tilley
We don't have a vintage picture of Marshall, but he is shown in the March 1969 squadron picture.
Marshall was in the 34th during operation from Takhli.
Richard E. Tracey
We don't have a vintage picture of Richard, however, he is shown in the March 1969 squadron picture.
Richard flew most of his missions with the 469th TFS, but was also assigned to the 34th for some of the time.
Konrad W. Trautman - Deceased
Konrad arrived in May 1967 with the Ryan's Raiders and was assigned to the 34th TFS for a short period.
While flying with a sister squadron Konrad was shot down on October 5, 1967, and captured. He was released on March 14, 1973. Read more on the POW Network.
Konrad is honored by Veteran Tributes.
Colonel (Retired) Konrad "Konnie" Trautman, died December 23, 2017 at age 90.
V
W
David B. Waldrop
Dave Waldrop gets the 100 mission hose.
For a video of Dave's celebration click here.
E-mail: davewaldrop@bellsouth.net
Thomas T. Walker
Tom arrived in May 1967 with the Ryan's Raiders and was assigned to the 34th TFS for a short period.
We don't have a vintage picture of Tom.
Francis "Frank" P. Walsh - Deceased
Frank arrived in May 1967 with the Ryan's Raiders and was assigned to the 34th TFS for a short period.
Frank died on October 19, 2003. His obituary is included in the F-105 history.
John H. Wambough Jr.
Current address:
124 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW, PH3
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548-6665
Phone: (850) 315-4662
124 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW, PH3
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548-6665
Phone: (850) 315-4662
Email: jwambough@gmail.com
Wayne N. Whatley - Deceased
Wayne was awarded the Air Force Cross for a mission on June 30, 1966. Read his citation on the History page.
There is a nice write-up about Wayne on the Veteran's Tribute web site.
There is a nice write-up about Wayne on the Veteran's Tribute web site.
Wayne Whatley died on September 19, 2007, and was buried at the BG William C. Doyle Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, New Jersey.
Joe Widhalm
Joe is in the March 1969 Squadron picture.
Current address:
4965 Farthing Dr,
Colorado Springs, CO 80906-5956
4965 Farthing Dr,
Colorado Springs, CO 80906-5956
Harold David Wilson
Harold arrived in May 1967 with the Ryan's Raiders and was assigned to the 34th TFS for a short period.
We don't have a vintage picture of Harold.
James H. Wright Jr.
James arrived in May 1967 with the Ryan's Raiders and was assigned to the 34th TFS for a short period.
We don't have a vintage picture of James.
Y
Z
Duane H. Zieg
Donald B. Zimmerman - Deceased
We don't have a vintage picture of Don, but he is shown in the October 1967 squadron picture.
Don was a maintenance officer and flew check flights. He last flew the F-105 on 1 June 1968 and had 540.6 hours in the plane.
Lt Col (Retired) Donald B. Zimmerman died on June 2, 1992.
Robert John Zukowski - Deceased
He was killed in action on February 11, 1969 (POW network).