From July 1969 to July 1970, my Dad, Lt. Col Russel H Rickard flew the OV10A as a Forward Air Controller in the Vietnam War. During his time there, he flew 366 combat sorties and logged 529 total hours in combat, 510.2 in the OV10A. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts during a mission on September 5, 1969.

Fortunately, because of my Dad’s memory recall and the detailed documents, logs, and diaries he kept, I have been able to gather many details about events he participated in. This video is about one such event.

On November 16, 1969, my Dad was flying OV10A aircraft # 6803787 and had engaged the enemy on a combat sortie near the Cambodia Vietnam border when his aircraft was hit in both wings by .30 cal ground fire. Despite the damage, he was able to safely return to his home base at Cu Chi, South Vietnam. While researching his personal records, I found additional details about the event and then searched the internet for information about the specific aircraft he was flying that day. I couldn’t believe it when my search revealed that same aircraft now resides in the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio!

This video features Russ Rickard telling the story of the events that day. When I filmed the interview, neither my Dad nor I had any idea that he had flown an OV10A that currently resides in the museum. According to his flight records, he flew 30 of his 366 combat sorties in OV10A aircraft # 6803787.

Thank you Dad for your service, dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to keep us free and safe.

Dave Rickard