By Michelle Ruschman
When veteran, attorney and author Wayne Warner thinks about the beginning of his love for military service, he remembers that he was only age four as World War II was drawing to a close. He wore child-sized versions of military uniforms, and growing up in Lexington, Ky., his family served proudly. One uncle had fought in World War II, with an aunt serving with the Women’s Army Corps, his cousin had been wounded in Iwo Jima, and later, another uncle fought in Korea. Even in elementary school, Wayne loved military history. By junior high, he knew he wanted an education that would move him toward the military career he desired. His heart was set on being a pilot. But, at the time, West Point was the only option. In 1954, however, Congress decided they would create the United States Air Force Academy, and at 17, that’s where Wayne began his years in college. His class was the first to spend all four years at the permanent site in Colorado Springs. At graduation, the commencement speaker was John F. Kennedy.
Wayne then went to Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Ala., for pilot training. “The only airplanes that were available to us that were in Vietnam were Pacific Air Forces C-130s,” said Wayne. “I knew that the supplies were getting into Vietnam by C-130 Hercules, so that’s what I applied for. I reported into the 21st Troop Carrier Squadron at Naha, Okinawa, in February of 65. So, my first landing in Vietnam was in March of 1965.“
For the next year and a half, Wayne flew C-130s and would serve the Air Force over the next four years until March 1969. In those four years, Wayne also flew the F-105 Thunderchief and the A-1 Skyraider, a plane that had rescued many of his friends from the jungle. In these three aircraft, Wayne flew 374 combat missions, which included 169 missions over North Vietnam and 84 blind bat night missions. His C-130 crew would come to be known as the Kool-Aid Kids when their commander, a Lieutenant Colonel decided to fly with them, and while looking for coffee with a crew who didn’t like coffee, accidentally drank the fruit juice from the thermos that was handed to him.
“I flew my 100th F-105 mission over North Vietnam on June 8th, 1968. I was slated to become an instructor, teaching foreign students how to deliver ordnance. I wanted to keep flying in Southeast Asia, though, so the Air Force granted my request to do search and rescue missions. That’s when I went to Hurlburt to train on the A-1. In 1969, I reported to Thailand and flew 12 combat missions in that aircraft.”
Among the many awards and distinctions, Wayne was awarded the Silver Star when his efforts delayed a North Vietnamese takeover of a special forces camp in South Vietnam. Thanks to his flight, the assault was destroyed, and everyone was rescued from the camp.
In March of 1969, Wayne experienced two catastrophic engine failures, the first resulting in a bailout and subsequent pickup by a Jolly Green helicopter, and the second being the last time he’d fly for the Air Force.
“I had engine and instrument failure on takeoff and crashed and burned. I was trapped in the cockpit with a full load of personnel ordinance and AVgas. I watched the legs and sleeves burn off my flight suit, but I couldn’t undo my harness. Fortunately, a Jolly Green (helicopter) was taking off and saw the problem I was having. He hovered over me so his rotor wash could blow the flames down. I managed to finally kick myself out of the cockpit, but I was still tangled in my harness. It so happened that there was a PJ (para jumper) who was out jogging, and another pilot who saw me. So, they ran to cut me off the side of the airplane. They loaded me on the Jolly Green that would fly me to the front door of the dispensary to get medical attention. My first flight to Vietnam was in March of ‘65, and this flight was in March of ‘69.”
After being medically retired from the Air Force in September of 1969, Wayne earned his law degree. With fond memories of childhood vacations in Fort Walton Beach and then spending his honeymoon there with his wife, Vickie, they were excited for Wayne to eventually get hired at Eglin Air Force Base as a civilian attorney acquiring weapon systems. He worked for Eglin for 28 years.
Wayne has also written a book, One Trip Too Many: A Pilot’s Memoirs of 38 Months in Combat over Laos and Vietnam, not only as a legacy piece for his family and fellow veterans, but to record what it was like firsthand to serve in Vietnam. It can be found at Amazon.com.
All these years later, Wayne continues to love the military and the camaraderie that it inspired among those he had the privilege to serve with. To those who are currently on active duty, Wayne offers these words of encouragement: “Believe in what you’re doing and keep the faith of your comrades. Your military service is a benefit to everyone.”
If you would like to reach out to Wayne directly, he can be contacted at wwarner83@gmail.com.
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