 During its long career, C-141 tail number 66-0177 has carried vital cargo all over the world. However, on Feb. 12, 1973, there was a very special cargo - this was the aircraft that brought the first 40 American POWs from Gia Lam Airport, Hanoi, North Vietnam to start Operation Homecoming. Today this aircraft is assigned to the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, and is still flying. When crew chief MSgt. Dave Dillon saw a label, "Hanoi Taxi", on the flight engi neer's panel, he checked it out and found that this was indeed the first plane out of Hanoi. Dillon then led an effort to commemorate the aircraft so that those who board it now will understand that momentous event in 1973. Pictured with him are (from the left) TSgt. Henry Harlow, Dillon, SSgt. Jeff Wittman and TSgt. Susan Denlinger. This group were the key players in making this memorial come to life. |
