FACT. The SEAL Team did not leave AFGHAN or anywhere to kill or capture that bastard without the approval of the PRES. USASF men did not go into North Vietnam on the Son Tay raid without Nixon’s approval.
Who do you think approved Operation Breakfast and Menu for the carpet bombing of Cambodia? Hell, The only two men living, one each, from those two early 1969 OPS are friends. One was the Recon company CO and the other was chosen to lead my old yard company. I can tell you both are highly respected. Also the man who ran the OPS from our southern site into that AO is dear friend. We HAD to have the President’s approval at times. Obama or his boss approved.
I think that mission was supposed to fail as well. Remember that the other chopper went down first.