Vietnam A-1 Skyraider Pilot Rich Hall Recalls Rescue Missions

From 1968 to 1969, Captain Richard (Rich) M. Hall, an A-1 Skyraider pilot with the 602nd SOS, served in Vietnam. Being the Lead in the Rescue of Forrest Fenn (Litter-81) was a Search and Rescue (SAR) mission that took place in late 1968 and was headed by CPT Richard (Rich) Hall. This was one of his career highlights. Rich served as the Sandy Lead on (Litter-81) and describes how he and other SAR crew members helped save Forrest Fenn, who went on to invent one of the 21st century's most well-known treasure hunts.

The Fenn Treasure, a cache of gold and gems that Forrest B. Fenn secreted in the Rocky Mountains of the United States, is what made him most famous. The location of the wealth was a secret, according to Santa Fe, New Mexico-based author and art dealer Fenn. But in 2020, some ten years later, a mystery treasure hunter discovered it in Wyoming. A treasure chest auction in December 2022 brought in $1.3 million in revenue. Rich Hall and all SAR personnel who risk their lives to save the lives of others deserve our respect. The course of a person's life is impossible to predict.

Second, Rich goes into considerable detail about his first mission, which left him with the immediate feeling that, if every operation was as bad as the first, he was going to die.

Rich continues by talking about Rescues Troops in contact before concluding the discussion by talking about his involvement with Lima Site 36. CPT Richard M. Hall of the 602nd Firefly oversaw the air defense on the opening day of the strikes against Lima Site-36. He regrets not knowing that there were extra enemy forces in the region, though. He thinks that his resources—people and weapons—could have stopped the collapse of Lima Site-36 if he had known.

[firemedic]

I never tire of listening to heros talk of their experiences in country. Thank you for your service.

[captainkidd]

This man is an American Hero . Thank you for your service 💜

[coyoteodie]

"an exciting moment" ... love the way Mr. Hall tells a story!

[flyingpaddy]

Just found this channel from hearing about it on SOGcast. These men are just that, MEN. Thank you for bringing their stories to us.

[adriaanboogaard]

Great video. I've been in the right seat at a Air show.great ride money well spent. I was a Todler when you guys were up drawing fire and giving it back thanks for all your service.

[CapnRobert]

My wife’s father, Lt Lance A Eagan, was the pilot of the Jolly Green that rescued Maj Fenn. My wife and I would love to connect with Rich and share information on this and other rescues.

[adriaanboogaard]

I like how he basically says something similar to me about the Valve of practical knowledge and I do have many friends that went to College and Universities but we all agree that just because you never went to College doesn't mean you don't have tha knowledge.

[RobertSlavey]

My father-in-law, Lt Lance A Eagan, was the pilot of Jolly Green 36, which rescued Forrest Fenn. My wife and I would love to connect with Rich to share information on this rescue.

[damonbarnes]

Awesome to hear our heroes accounts. Former 16th SOS airman myself. So others may live

[JuanSanchez-zgti]

One thing that surprises me about these stories of A1s Skyraiders in Vietnam and NKP is the lack of gratitude to us A1s Crew Chiefs and Bomb Loaders for our outstanding work in keeping this birds ready and airworthy for you pilots to fly. It wasnt just the pilots courage, it was also the ground crews dedications to give you guys a good acft. to fly your missions.

[kiowa]

In 1971, the USAF moved the HH-53 advanced pilot training to mountainous, Hill AFB, Ogden, UT for that very reason. We were training H53 pilots over flat terrain…for the sorties they would fly over the mountains of Viet Nam. Another interesting fact is that quite a number of US Coast Guard pilots flew along with USAF pilots in the 40th ARRS, NKP due to their extensive experience in performing helicopter rescues…they were ready-made for the task.

[carlylekhan]

Thank You For Your Service Captain Hall. May Our Creator's Choicest Blessings Be Showered Upon Both You And All At Have And Are Serving.

[markjfox]

When the government or people in charge make rules regulations, do,s donts an cant, s.Break dwn communication in whats needed when where, how.
How can u win a war.
These people r all hero, s
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙏🏼🎖🎖🎖🎖

[ronrothstein]

I give u sandy guys a lot of credit I lived next to a guy when I was about 14 years old Jim I can’t remember his last name he told me stories and had pictures to backup the stories I was amazed at his younger life .
May I ask did you lose the finger on your left hand in the war? Anyways gif bless you for the life’s you saved

[clafrieda]

Lt. Colonel John M. Carlson – Sandy 01
Captain Richard M. Hall – Sandy 02
Captain James L. Jamerson – Sandy 03
1/Lt Clyde W. Campbell – Sandy 04

[ianleirfallom]

Thanks for the video. Can I ask a very important question... Where or who is the man, James Swisher, the FAC that was on duty that day... Was that a real person involved in the mission and or the rescue? I am having trouble finding a person with that name involved in the mission/rescue. Very important!

[johng]

Can you say Badasses?
Spads pilots rock it..Knew a A1 Navy pilot that flew off USS Midway..

[DWBurns]

I understand it is painful, please tell the story. Please don’t allow history to die with you. The story must be remember. Please tell the story.

[davidkrump]

Excellent. Can someone please explain how as a Captain he could not attain the rank of Major? That's the only question I have.

[mustlistengood]

Forrest Fenn's rescue is described in his memoir, "The Thrill of the Chase", where he devotes a chapter to his time in Vietnam. As his memoir indicates, Forrest's life was incredibly full and interesting and it culminated in his hiding of his Treasure in the Rocky Mountains to encourage people to get off of their electronic devices and enjoy nature in one of the worlds greatest treasure hunts. There will be some documentaries on Forrest and his treasure hunt released soon, including a Netflix documentary. His treasure was found by Jack Steuf, a former journalist and medical student, in the 2019/2020 timeframe at an undisclosed location, but it is widely believed based on court evidence, as well as a large amount of circumstantial evidence, that the location where the treasure was found was along the Madison river in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Forrest confirmed the treasure was found in Wyoming before he died in 2020.