James Hendre Villeponteaux, JrFirst LieutenantVMA-311, MAG-12, 1ST MAW United States Marine Corps 23 November 1940 - 11 May 1966 Cordesville, South Carolina Panel 07E Line 047 |
 
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The database page for James Hendre Villeponteaux, Jr
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Dedicated to the Memory of
My first cousin was killed in action May 11, 1966.
From his cousin, |
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James Villeponteaux On Veterans Day we remember the people that fought for our country, our children, and us. Some were taken prisoner, and some died fighting like you. You were a brave man and you died so young, but he did it for all of us. You will go down a great man. I believe everyone should show respect to our vets. If they did not fight for us, then we would not be here.
Nick Bailey |
A Note from The Virtual WallOn 11 May 1966, 1stLt Villeponteaux was flying A-4E BuNo 151995 as one member of a night mission over the Ho Chi Minh Trail area of Laos. Night strikes were no less dangerous than day strikes; although the bad guys couldn't see you as well in order to aim, neither could the pilots see each other. Since the strike was controlled by an airborne Forward Air Controller, there might well be 4 or 5 aircraft operating in close proximity to the target and the risk of mid-air collision increased exponentially. Hobson's "Vietnam Air Losses" describes 1stLt Villeponteaux's loss as follows:"During a nighttime STEEL TIGER strike 1stLt Villeponteaux collided with another aircraft from his squadron and crashed seven miles east of Saravane, Laos. 1stLt Villeponteaux was killed but the other pilot, flying [A-4E BuNo] 151994, flew his damaged aircraft safely back to Chu Lai."As noted above, Lt Villeponteaux' remains have not been repatriated. |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 08/10/2009