30 September 1966 – LtCol Walter “Mel” Fowler’s F-100 #553502 is hit in the engine by gunfire over SVN. He came close to capture or death by closely advancing Viet Cong before his wingman suppressed the advancing VC and he was picked up from the rice paddy by an Army Helo. Fowler was serving with
William Reynolds Martin was commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Virginia Military Institute in June 1955. In March 1957, he completed flight training at Laredo AFB, TX, and was awarded the rating of Pilot.
On 18 November 1964, Captain William Reynolds Martin was serving as a F-100 Super Sabre Pilot of the 613th Tactical Fighter Squadron, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, during the Vietnam War.
On that date, Capt Martin was leading a flight of two F-100 Super Sabre aircraft escorting an unarmed RF-101 Voodoo aircraft on a mission of major importance. He was flying F-100 #55-2885. As they approached the mission area in Laos, a heavy barrage of hostile ground fire was directed at the unarmed aircraft. Capt Martin reacted immediately by repeatedly flying his aircraft over the gun emplacements at extremely low altitudes to divert hostile fire from the RF-101 plane. Capt Martin’s aggressiveness and determination in pressing his attack allowed the RF-101 aircraft to withdraw safely. On his 3rd overflight of the hostile positions, the full force of their gun emplacements was directed at his aircraft, resulting in his being killed in action. (1)
Capt. Martin ejected from his aircraft but died of his injuries and was recovered the next day by the SAR. (2)
William Reynolds Martin is memorialized at Highland Burial Park, Danville, Danville City, Virginia, and is honored on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington DC. His name is inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 01e, Line 72.
Source: Photos/Bio Info – HonorStates.org; (1) MilitaryHallofHonor.com; (2) U.S.A.F. Veteran Online Memorial | TWS Roll of Honor (togetherweserved.com)
