In April of 2000, Dick Rutan and fellow MISTY pilots re-visited Vietnam, where Dick was a fighter pilot, having flown 325 successful combat missions. 105 of those flights were as a member
of the high-risk classified "MISTY" operation, and on his last flight, Dick was hit by enemy ground fire and forced to eject from his burning F-100. He evaded capture and was later rescued.
Before retiring from the Air Force, Lt. Col. Rutan had been awarded the Silver Star, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, 16 Air Medals, and the Purple Heart. A compilation of Vietnam stories have been put together in a soon to be published book. Articles and excerpts have been published in numerous magazines. Dick has provided a forward for the Return to Vietnam, which follows: RETURN TO VIETNAM PROLOGUE When I boarded the plane to return 'home" from Vietnam in 1978, I had promised myself that somehow, someday, I would return to the country that had removed me from my family and had stolen so many of my friends and comrades. My participation in the Vietnam War had ended with my being shot down, but my mind, my heart and my emotions had not reached a closure by any means; and I was unable to let go with time. On the state side, the survivors gathered often at reunions. We would remember our fallen friends with tears and our former missions with vengeance. And every year, we would discuss a return to Vietnam. The man I'm shaving each morning is just getting older, and it's gotten easier to count the few dark hairs remaining in the sea of gray. I was suddenly finished finding excuses of why I couldn't go back, and made the resolve to face Vietnam before I faced another birthday. My feet itched to stand on the ground in Route Pack One and return to the places where I witnessed and participated in the action of my fighter pilot days. 
Five other MISTY's I had flown with more than three decades prior - Don Shepperd, Mick Greene, Ed Risinger, PK Robinson and Wells Jackson - were wiling to accompany me - not as
tourists, but as adventurers to the remotest of areas of North Vietnam where few Americans had trod since the war.We located Nine Dragon Tours, Inc. who assisted in the logistics and details of getting our group on it's way for the adventure. Nine Dragons set up the wheels, driver and a backcountry guide to lead us to the areas we wanted and needed to explore. We were warned that Dong Hoi was an unknown and that there would be no promises about what we might find, nor did they have any indications of what we might encounter. I recalled the last time my eyes enveloped Dong Hoi - I saw nothing more than a bomb crater. In spite of the warnings and the unknowns, our small group set our minds toward our ground reconnaissance back to Route Pack One. No guts, no Air Medal. For more than 30 years, I have heard over and over again that the Vietnam War was a tragic mistake and a horrible waste. The time had finally arrived for me to look in the faces of the generations whose lives had been changed, to touch the earth that had swallowed my buddies and fellow fighters I never got to know, to find answers to questions that couldn't be answered. What we did find was that we were off on an adventure none of us will ever forget. Fortunately, Don Shepperd, Misty 34, is an accomplished writer, and he captured our days in the following stories. Did I find what I was looking for? Perhaps some pieces, including piece of mind. Would I recommend a re-visit to others involved in the Vietnam Conflict? In a heartbeat. Following, Shep shares our days in The Return To Vietnam. Strap in, hold on, and enjoy the ride. Dick Rutan MISTY 40 Book available soon! Watch this site for details! The book is called "MISTY," and it is an incredible collection of stories of aerial combat over North Vietnam written by the historic and heroic pilots who flew the missions. |