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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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Barrineau, William E., Jr.

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  • Barrineau, William E., Jr.

William E. Barrineau, Jr.

Preferred Name: Barry
Date of Birth: July 17, 1942
Highest Military Grade: 0-6 – Colonel
Hometown: Lake City, SC
Biography
Pilot Information

In early 1964, Jean and I headed to UPT at Del Rio, TX.  We stopped in San Antonio to honor my Uncle Edwin R. Barrineau (1918-1954); the man who motivated our journey.  He was a pilot and served with two of his six brothers in WWII.

After UPT and F-100 training, we arrived at Myrtle Beach AFB in late 1965 and received the following greeting: “…you are a South Carolina boy so your family will be taken care of while you depart immediately for Incirlik AB, Turkey.”  Six months into that TDY, I was assigned to the 353rd TFS at Torrejon AB, Spain.  I was the most junior member of that unit and remained so when in 1969, I departed TDY to the F-100 FWS en route to Phang Rang.  That culminated in nearly 1300 hours in the F-100.

I was able to keep my single seat status in the A-7 at Myrtle Beach and Korat, Thailand.  I met Bobby Bond during A-7 training in 1971 and in 1974 he took me into the Research, Development, and Acquisition process at the Pentagon.  For 4 years I took part in the fielding of an entirely new fighter force (F-15, F-16, A-10, and the then-secret F-117); the latter being spearheaded by Joe Ralston.

After serving as DO in the F-4 at Spangdahlem and Vice at George AFB, I moved to TAC HQ in 1983 as Director of Fighter Requirements.  The DRF crew advocated for the fielding of many versions of the F-16 and the introduction of the F-15E.  Most importantly, the DRF crew wrote the requirements document for the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) which is now the F-22.

A footnote to the ATF: Colonel Mike Loh was Deputy Director of Requirements and his ability to reach deep into the aero engineering minds at Wright Patterson made a significant impact on the design requirements for the F-22.

My best flying experience: the F-100.  My best memories; all the great people I got to know, respect, and appreciate.

Units Assigned

  • 353rd Tactical Fighter Squadron/354th Tactical Fighter Wing, Myrtle Beach AFB, SC
  • 53rd Tactical Fighter Squadron/401st Tactical Fighter Wing, Torrejon AB, Spain
  • FWIC Nellis
  • 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron/35th Tactical Fighter Wing, Phan Rang AB, Vietnam

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal
Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters
AF Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Combat Readiness Medal
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

Flight Info

T-37
T-33
F-100
F-4

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • Squadron Officers School
  • Air Command and Staff College
  • National War College

Civilian Education:

  • BS, Clemson University
  • MBA, Auburn University

Wall of Honor Location

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