CAPT PETER XAVIER PIKE

 

29 Feb 2004 Peter, in 1970 I was told you had gone down over The Trail. I tried to hide the tears ... too many memories. Back in RVN, I asked the Red Cross for your family's address. I wrote your parents and widow that I was honored to have served with a man like you. I told them of our flying, our parties, and our antics during water survival training. Your family wrote back, and said I was the only squadron member who had written to them about you. I was your Flight Doc, but you were more than my patient ... you were a true pal. Peter, you are forever strapped in your cockpit, somewhere in the Laotian jungle, but God knows where you are, and so do I. From his flight surgeon and friend, Vernon P. Wagner, Lt Col, USAF (Ret) AV8RDoc@Yahoo.com 433rd TFS F-4Ds over Laos Mekong River at bottom

 

August 15, 2005 To whom it may concern, In the early 1970's, I sent for a MIA bracelet, and I was given one silver band with the name of CAPT. PETER PIKE, with a date of 7-12-69. I wore it for a few years in honor of Peter, and then placed it in a drawer. Many times throughout the years, I searched for the whereabouts of that bracelet, and could not find it. Today I looked once again through the drawer, and I found the bracelet after 25 years of searching. Could your Peter be my Peter? I did research, and found that Peter's plane went down on 7-12-69, the date on my bracelet. I would be willing to give it to his family. Please contact me at cinpearl@comcast.net Sincerely, Cindy Jensen Spinazzola cinpearl@comcast.net

 

17 Aug 2005 My name is Karen Galyan. I have been wearing the Peter's MIA/POW bracelet since 1971. I wear it, with honor, in memory of a great fallen hero. If there is any family member of Peter's that reads this, I would love to hear from you. My email address is jkgalyan@netzero.com I have visited the memorial Wall in DC and felt weak in my knees when I saw Peter's name. My son is currently serving in Fallujah with the USMC and I know first hand the importance of serving our country, with honor, courage and dignity. God bless Peter and his family and thank you for your unselfish courage to the cause. Karen Galyan 4517 Goldwood Avenue, Bakersfield, Ca 93306 jkgalyan@netzero.com

 

22 Oct 2005 I have had Captain Peter Pike's MIA bracelet since the 60's, and still have it. I wrote to Mrs. Pike when I first got the bracelet and received a reply. I want Captain Pike's family to know that I have kept you all in my prayers throughout these years and think of Captain Pike and all the other heroes in the military that have given their lives for our freedom. God Bless you. S. Sanger Mississippi Email address not available.

 

05 May 2006 My mother Viola Walsh bought a POW braclet back in the early 70's and it was Captain Peter X. Pike. I was very young then and would ask her who was Peter Pike. She always replied "He's my boyfriend". As the years went by she never once took off the bracelet and Captain Peter X. Pike became one of our family members. When my mother passed away 12 years ago, she passed the bracelet on to one of my sisters. My two sons went to Washington DC on field trips with their schools and found Peter X. Pike's name on the Wall and traced it for me in honor of my mother and out of respect for Captain Peter X. Pike. So years from now his name will still be part of my family and his story will be passed on to my grandchildren one day in memory of my mother and her dedication to Captain Pike and his family. His family should know that he was thought about and respected by my family for many years. My dad finally told me one day that "He's not really your mother's boyfriend" but we will continue to keep his memory alive in our hearts. Susan Gibbens susangibbens1@hotmail.com

 

05 Feb 2007 I was a grammar school friend of Peter's in the 1958, at St. Gabriel's School in Riverdale, New York. I, along with Vito la Rocca, met him in the Bronx for the last time, just before he shipped out to Vietnam. He told us of his dreams to be an airline pilot one day; his great love of this country; his love of life; and of his high hopes for the future ... and a full life. High hopes and great spirit. God speed, Peter From a friend, Richard J. Bono E-mail address is not available.

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 12 July 1969 then-Major Paul Bannon and then-1st Lt Peter Pike launched from Ubon RTAFB in F-4D tail number 66-7697 on a Wolf Forward Air Controller mission over the northern part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in the Laotian pan handle. The target area was covered with low cloud. Major Bannon, finding it impossible to operate below the overcast, advised the airborne control post that he was going to find a hole to climb through enroute to an area with better weather conditions. However, his radio transmission stopped in mid-sentence and the radar return from the Phantom disappeared from the controller's radar scope. The aircraft was known to have gone down in a mountainous area south of Ban Nathon, but search and rescue efforts were severely hampered by bad weather. The SAR forces were unable to locate the F-4's wreckage, nor was voice contact established with either crewman. When the formal SAR effort was terminated both men were classed as Missing in Action since their was no firm evidence of their deaths. The two men remained in MIA status (and were promoted while MIA) until the Secretary of the Air Force approved Presumptive Findings of Death for them, Colonel Bannon on 22 Jan 1979 and Captain Pike on 28 May 1974. As of 25 Oct 2005 their remains have not been repatriated.

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