18 January 1970 – 1Lt Merrill and Capt Scott were serving with the 416th TFS/31st TFW out of Tuy Hoa in January of 1970. On a mission of visual reconnaissance in Laos, their aircraft was hit by 23mm AAA. They ejected and were recovered by a USAF Helo. Both suffered minor injuries.
Harry Scott was born on November 24, 1937, in Chattahoochee, FL. He was raised in Chattahoochee and graduated from Chattahoochee High School. He graduated in 1959 from Florida State University where he played trumpet in the marching band. After graduation, Harry joined the Air Force where he flew KB-50s, F-4s, T-37s, T-38s, C-123s, and his favorite, the F-100. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam including a tour with the Misty Fast FAC Commando Sabre program flying low-level missions in the F-100. He earned the Purple Heart when he was shot down on one of the Misty missions.
“Merrill was a Captain in the United States Air Force. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a jet fighter pilot. In 1975, he left active duty and began work on what he describes as a book entitled “In Defense of Reason, The War on Stupidity.” Apparently attempting to gain publicity for his cause, Merrill began what he viewed as a military operation against the political and military establishment. Although the precise aims of what Merrill calls “The Military Abscam Watergate Operation” are unclear, the implementation of his plan involved mailing bizarre materials to community leaders in Phoenix, Arizona. He also threatened the life of then-President Ronald Reagan. He was convicted of 10 counts of mailing injurious articles and threatening the life of the President, and to a consecutive term of five years probation for his convictions of mailing obscene material.” (1)