Today in History – May 18, 1968 – Capt Roland Robert Obenland ejects from F-100D#553548 and is Killed in Action

18 May 1968 – CAPT Roland R. Obenland was a U.S. Air Force pilot serving with 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th Air Force. In the wake of the Tet Offensive, attacks on U.S. facilities continued, and pilots were often targeted against enemy forces threatening their own bases. Such was the case on May 18, 1968, when CAPT Obenland’s F-100D (#55-3548) was tasked with a close air support mission over Hua Nghia Province only six miles from his home base at Bien Hoa. While making a napalm drop, his jet received automatic weapons fire and crashed before he could eject. (1)

The Roland R. Obenland Award honors a company-grade engineering officer with less than seven years of total active commissioned service who exhibits exemplary dedication and contribution to the Air Force through advancements in technology development or significant improvement through re-engineering projects. It is part of the Science, Engineering, and Technical Management Awards sponsored by the Air Force Materiel Command Engineering Directorate. (2)

Source: (1)Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and the book “F-100 Super Sabre Units of the Vietnam War” by Peter E. Davies and David Menard
(2) https://www.afmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1665773/obenland-memorial-award-commemorates-engineer-hero/

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