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F 104 Starfighter in Vietnam
Episode 3280 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the F-104 Starfighters in Vietnam. The featured story is titled: The Starfighter’s Worst Day: The two USAF F-104 pilots involved in Iron Hand escort missions that were Shot Down on the Same Day by North Vietnamese SAMs. It was submitted by William Cobb.
Cobb reported that The Lockheed Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was one of the most advanced and demanding fighter aircraft of its era. Designed as a supersonic air superiority fighter, the F-104 became famous for its blistering speed, powerful M-61 Vulcan cannon, and record-breaking performance. During the late 1950s, the Starfighter set world records for speed, altitude, and time-to-climb, establishing itself as a revolutionary aircraft in military aviation history. Though only about 300 were procured by the U.S. Air Force, the aircraft earned a legendary reputation among pilots for both its incredible capabilities and unforgiving nature.
During the Vietnam War, the F-104C deployed to Da Nang in 1965. Its early missions focused on escorting EC-121 Constellation airborne warning aircraft during dangerous “Big Eye” radar operations near North Vietnam. The Starfighter later flew ground attack and Iron Hand escort missions, protecting Wild Weasel aircraft tasked with suppressing enemy surface-to-air missile sites. Its speed made it highly effective in these dangerous roles, but the missions carried enormous risks.
On Aug. 1, 1966, the Starfighter community suffered devastating losses when two pilots from the 435th Fighter Squadron were shot down by North Vietnamese SA-2 missiles during combat operations near Thai Nguyen. Captain John Charles Kwortnik and Lt. Col. Finney were both lost within hours of each other. Their sacrifice reflected the extreme dangers faced by American aviators during the Vietnam War. Both men remained listed as Missing in Action for years before being officially declared killed in action in 1985. Today, they are remembered with honor at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, where their courage and service continue to inspire future generations.
Listen to Episode 3280 and discover more about the F-104 Starfighters in Vietnam.
