Myhre, Jon F., CPT

Flight Class 66-6

1966-67, 175th AHC – The Outlaws

1971-72, 146th ASA

Jon, a former PFC in the US Marine Corps, transferred to the US Army in 1965 as a Direct Appointment to Warrant Officer, W1. He graduated from ORWAC 66-6, and was assigned to the 175th AHC at Vinh Long, RVN in 1966-1967. Jon flew many successful missions all over the Delta, in direct support of the 7th, 9th, and 21st ARVN Divisions. His call sign was Outlaw 17 when he was shot down in LZ Alpha on Easter Sunday, 1967. Despite severe leg wounds, he managed to get onto the 82nd Dust-Off flown by Jim Eberwine. Intense ground fire brought down the Dust-Off as they were trying to depart the LZ, causing it to crash land, roll onto its side, and burn. This was Jon’s second shoot down of the morning. That day is called by those who were there, “The Battle of Easter Sunday”.

Col Jack Dempsey, Commander of the 13th AVN BN, also died there while trying to get his men out of the LZ. Dempsey Heliport, Fort Wolters, TX was named after him. 5 Distinguished Service Crosses, and many other medals were awarded for that Battle, more than any other single day in the history of the Vietnam War.

Jon was ultimately picked up, and evacuated first to Vinh Long, then Long Bin Evac Hospital, and then to Camp Zama, Japan. As he was stabilized, he was sent to Walter Reed for months of surgeries and rehabilitation. Jon was very determined, and regained his flight status when most thought he would never fly again. He then was assigned to a fixed wing assignment in Germany flying the U6 Beaver.

Jon returned to Vietnam in 1971-1972 flying RU-21s for the 146th ASA, out of Bien Hoa. Jon retired in 1981 as a Captain and Master Army Aviator, from the 138th AVN Co, USAR, in Orlando, FL. Jon was awarded the DFC; 2 Bronze Stars, one with “V" device; 30 Air Medals; 4 Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Jon Myhre also flew as a Charter, Corporate and Instructor Pilot for a number of years, and worked for the FAA (1983-1989) as an Air Traffic Assistant.

Jon always said he was damn proud to have been a small part of a great team.

Jon Floyd Myhre