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Today in History – January 31, 1968 – F-100 pilots Maj Joe Bulger and 1Lt “Fearless” Fred Abrams are given the worst kind of mission

31 January 1968 – On the first full day of the Tet Offensive, Major Joe Bulger (Flight Lead) and 1Lt “Fearless” Fred Abrams were asked to bomb their own base. In the early hours of the day, Vietcong forces had launched an attack on Bien Hoa AB. “The whole east end was hot,” Abrams said.

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Bales, John W.

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John W. Bales

Preferred Name: John
Nickname/Call Sign: Santa Jack
Date of Birth: December 21, 1937
Highest Military Grade: Select
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Headed West Date: August 9, 2012
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West

John Bales was a Technical Sergeant with the 457th Tactical Fighter Squadron/506th Tactical Fighter Wing and the 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron/20th Tactical Wing.

Units Assigned

  • 457th Tactical Fighter Squadron/506th Tactical Fighter Wing
  • 79th Tactical Fighter Squadron/20th Tactical Wing

Awards & Decorations

Flight Info

F-100

Military & Civilian Education

John William Bales “Headed West” August 9, 2012.


John William Bales, age 74, went to be with the Lord peacefully on August 9, 2012, after a short battle with cancer. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland on December 21, 1937. He was a retired TSGT, USAF, and also retired from the Dept. of Defense, civil service.

John affectionately known as Jack or Santa Jack was a beloved husband, dad, and grandpa. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother…He is survived by his wife, Shirley Bales; 3 children, 2 step-children, and 6 grandchildren… Interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with Air Force military honors.

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