|
|
|
Thomas
J. Sterling Information
about Tom Sterling Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK   Chelveston England - Operation Swamp Fox L to R: Paul Duplessis, Arnie Segal, Dave Smiley, Roy Fair, TJ Sterling (April 1960) Submitted by Tom Sterling (June 2005) The June 2005
Article Air
Force Magazine “FULL DAY”, was about my mission from viewpoint
of my flight leader Major
Leo Thorsness. The article has caused a flurry of emails to me so I decided to write this summary of my career because some folks were close on the details, but NO CIGARS. Thomas J. Sterling Born Dec. 24, 1925. Dasietta, Texas. Joined the Army Air Corps in January 1944. Trained as Radio Mechanic and Airborne High Altitude Radar Bombing System on B 29 Aircraft. Joined a B 29 Bomb Group in Sue City, IA in July 1945 That was destined for the Pacific, but the war ended in August. Transferred To Germany until June 1946. Worked on Ground Radar System in Central Germany. Discharged in June 1946, stayed in reserves and national guard units while getting a college degree. Recalled to Air Force Sac F-86 Wing, Bergstrom AFB Austin Texas for Korea 1951. Attained rank of Tech Sgt. before receiving a Direct Commission and went to Keesler AFB, MS. for ECM training 1952. Assigned 9 TRS Shaw AFB SC 1953. Also spent 2 years assigned to 9 th AF Headquarters then back to 9 TRS to catch up on flying time. Assigned 10 TRW RAF Alconbury England in Aug 1960. Flew with 42 TRS for my flying time. Transferred to Toule Rosier France as Wing EWO remote along with the 42 TRS. Assigned Keesler AFB for Communication an Electronic Staff Officer School ( equvilant to Command and Staff School) for 1 year. summer 1963. Assigned to 507th Tactical Air Control Group, Shaw AFB summer 1964 where I tested the Motorola TRS 87 ground-to-air radio for Tactical Air Command. Assigned to Tactical Air Ground Operations School Hurlburt Field FL in 1965 as Communications and Electronics instructor. Assigned Tactical Air Warfare left Eglin AFB Fl 1966. Tested the prototype Radar Warning device installed on a RB-66-C and a F-104 fighter. Nov. 1966 to Survival School. January 1967, to Nellis AFB, Nevada for Wild Weasel Training in back Seat of F-l05-F. Then To Takhli Thailand. Flew 23 missions over North Vietnam chasing SAMS. Shot down April 19, 1966 on 23rd Mission. Ejected above 600 knots. Seat broke both Femurs and knocked me out. I woke up at about 500 to 1000 ft in time to discover 2 panels of my chute ripped and I was headed for a big rice paddy. No better place to land in my condition. Spent 5 years 10 months and 15 days vacation in several wonderful North Vietnam hotels. Returned to US custody March 4, 1973. After hospital time at Keesler AFB, assigned to Eglin AFB and Retired with 30 years service Sept. 30,1974. I was a Major
when Shot down. I was one of T.J.'s first Hanoi Hilton cellmates. We lived together for five months. He was recuperating from two broken legs he sustained upon his ejection. After his legs healed, T.J. began walking with a Penguin-like step. We tried to determine if his legs were set correctly but he could not remember what his step was like before shoot-down. We, Bill Metzger and I, began calling his walk the "Teaberry Shuffle" because it reminded us of the TV commercial of the day advertising Teaberry chewing gum. Tom was the ideal cellmate: level-headed, patient, and always willing to lend a helping hand. He is a dear friend and my life has been enriched by knowing him during adverse circumstances. GBU. Red McDaniel When Tom and I met in Hanoi we learned we were also neighbors in Ft Walton Beach as I'l left my family just around the corner on Higdon Court. Several times, we made references to the other's children in our infrequent letters home so our families would know that we were together but don't think anyone ever deciphered our clever comments. Guess we wouldn't have made very good 'spooks' or cryptologists, for sure. I'd never heard about the Teaberry Shuffle when I met TJ in Hanoi but his walk was just as distinctive as his snoring! He had a challenger in Tom Sima and I was [un]fortunate to sleep between them in Unity 5 for several months. They are the first ones I knew who snored in any position! Congratulation, TJ, on such a fine family and all your accomplishments--- I'm proud to call you my friend! GB, Oa't [aka Wayne Waddell] Submitted by Bill Starnes (June 2005) As you may recall, Tom Sterling and Barbara arrived at Shaw the same time as us along with Wayne Kieger (507th Tac Control Group and flew with us); and Gordon Molestad. Gordon (a Captain and prior Food Service type) was our Class Leader in ECM School. Tom and Barbara stayed on at Shaw after you left for Spang; however, they did not join us until 1960 when we were at Chelveston and you all had already rotated. Tom was assigned to Hq, 10th TRWg Headquarters at Alconbury, but he flew with us at Chelveston and of course I gave him his check rides. I think after that assignment and Tom rotated in 1964 he went to Eglin, but I am not sure. However, I do know that he was selected for Wild Weasel training and went to Korat the year before John Rissole and I got to Tackle for our RB-66C tour. I recall when he was shot down and the six or seven
years he was in the Hanoi Hilton. It was a terrible time for Tom.
For
a copy of the AFA article... |
 |
