11 Dec 2001 Then-Captain Michael "Bat" Masterson was flying a night mission near Ban Ban, Laos on October 13, 1968, when his A-1G SKYRAIDER (tail number 52-132542) prop airplane developed gyro indicator trouble and he developed vertigo. Masterson radioed another aircraft that he was bailing out in the vicinity of a Pathet Lao headquarters and nothing has been heard from him since. The Defense Department maintained Masterson as Prisoner of War, while the Air Force listed him as Missing In Action. His wife is following his directive, "If I become a POW, I'll just wait for my government to come and get me. But if I become an MIA, I want you to find out what happened to me." Her search has led her to Laos and many times to Washington D.C. She says, "Sometimes I feel that I can't possibly go on another day with this, and then I see that I live in the greatest country in the world. I have the freedom to move about and choose what I do, and what I say; I think of the men that are over there, that they can't speak for themselves...it gives me the strength to work for their release." The Lao Government claims to have no knowledge of Michael "Bat" Masterson. From the POW Network My dad is Lt. Col. Michael "Bat" Masterson. He was born in Canada and moved to Washington state with his family when he was very young. He had always dreamed of being a pilot and after getting his Engineering Degree, he joined the United States Air Force and learned to fly. Amongst other things, my dad was also a comedian and came in 2nd place in the Air Force, therefore, he would travel throughout the country, where he would be the Master of Ceremonies of talent shows, as well as narrate for the "Thunderbirds". His dream was to become a Thunderbird pilot and after his tour in Vietnam he was to begin flying with them. Well, that was one of his many dreams that never came true. He was a Sandy pilot, stationed in Thailand. On October 13, 1968 my dad was flying an old WWII A1G airplane when it became vertigo. He radioed to the pilot in the plane behind him that he was "losing it and bailing out". He has been "Missing In Action" in the Zing Ping Province in Laos ever since. He told my mom that if he ever became a POW, he would wait for HIS government to come and get him, but if he became an MIA, she will probably have to fight for him to come home. So for 28 years now, my family has been fighting to find out the truth from our government as to what has happened to my father and all of the other men that are still Missing In Action. We have had several live sightings, but not too much cooperation from OUR government. I really miss him, and am embraced by thoughts of him daily. I just want to know the truth. That is all. . .THE SIMPLE TRUTH. My dad's name can be found on Panel 41W Line 61 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. A letter from his daughter, courtesy of Maddy Laffin. A citizen of the U.S.A Born in Canada Please visit our Memorial Hal and Maddy Laffin csaltnpepper@yahoo.com

 

07 Feb 2004 I remember Mike from High School. He was our class president. I also lived near him in government housing at the old air base just east of Ephrata. I have thought of him many times in the past and hope for his family that they will get closure some day. God be with you Mike. From a High School classmate. navretjack@aol.com

 

04 Jun 2007 As a college student, I wore a copper POW/MIA bracelet with Col. Masterson's name. Many years later, in the mid-1980's, I visited The Wall for the first time. I intended to leave my bracelet below Col. Masterson's name. In some kind of mystical symbolism, when I removed it from my wrist after all those years it broke in half. Although I never knew him I think of him often and always return to his name on The Wall whenever I am in D.C. I had always hoped I would learn something about him and I am grateful for The Virtual Wall and its information because I felt a kinship over these many years. Just learning the anguish of his family over his status, I hope they one day find peace. Col. Masterson is a true American hero. John Sampier johnsampier@hotmail.com

 

04 Jun 2007 I received Captain Masterson's bracelet as a Christmas gift from my parents. I have worn it for over 30 years. I was told not to take it off until he comes home, so I still wear it. Mary M. Smock P. O. Box 158527, Nashville, Tn. 37215 two.cats@comcast.net

 

12 Jul 2007 I was a freshman at Washington State University and a pledge in the Phi Delta Theta house in the fall of 1958. Moose was a respected senior and the owner and curator of "Moose's Museum of Unnatural History". He was guru for aspiring campus politicians, having narrowly lost his bid for ASB President the previous spring. Moose was also an aviator. A pioneer in the military's ROTC Flight Instruction Program, he regalled us hour on end about his harrowing flights in a vintage Aeronca Champ. It was Mike's leadership that inspired us to lead, his sense of honor and humor that taught us to be honest and laugh at our mistakes, and his discipline that set the example for of us a high standard of excellence. Bob Gee Phi Delta Theta Pledge class of 1958 WSU Class of 1962 Lt Col, USAR (Ret) and Army Aviator (thanks to Moose!) bob@gg-public-affairs.com

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