May 1967.
Footage of Colonel Robin Olds, a 44yearold air ace of the United States Air Force, speaking in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), South Vietnam just before he was declared to be America's first "ace" in the Vietnam war.
He is seen climbing out of an F4 Phantom Jet and greeted by Air Force General F.A. Nichols, the Deputy Commander of the 7th United States Air Force in Vietnam.
Olds was specifically brought in to help the top brass overcome the "wall of steel" put up by North Vietnam to protect strategic locations such as the Thai Nguyen Steel Mills which was north of Hanoi. Olds was put in charge of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing (nicknamed the "Wolfpack") to carryout an experimental tactic named "Falstaff". Instead of flying at standard altitude alongside the main raiders, Olds and his men would conduct sneak attacks at 20 to 50 feet high after flying to the target via a circutous route which passed through mountanous terrain.
Olds was a veteran of the Second World war during which he claimed 12 "kills" (24 according to another source).
He is considered the best wing commander of the Vietnam War. He was promoted to the rank of brigadiergeneral when he returned from Vietnam and his inability to rise to a higher rank has been attributed to his maverick persona (for instance, growing a nonregulation waxed handlebar moustache) and a penchant for drinking.
Source of Footage: Reuters News Archive.