F-4C Phantom dedicated to fallen Airmen

US Air Force,

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE: After visiting Iraq, Afghanistan and Walter Reed Army Hospital, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne was compelled by the overwhelming attitude of the military ethic of “standing watch so others may be free,” in today's servicemen.

He faced a similar emotion today when a Vietnam era F-4C Phantom II static display was dedicated here to his brother, Maj. Patrick Wynne, and to Col. Lawrence Golberg.  Colonel Goldberg and Major Wynne were flying an F-4 when their aircraft was shot down over North Vietnam on Aug. 8, 1966

“Pat believed with all his heart in what he was doing,” Secretary Wynne said. “It was a life that was not lived but well lived.”

Arnold Engineering Development Center Commander Col. Art Huber's opening remarks reflect the meaning of today's event.

“Today our dedication is focused on those who flew the Phantom as much as it is on the aircraft itself,” he said.

“We honor Colonel Golberg and Major Wynne who answered their country's call and bravely flew into harms way. Their payment of the ultimate price means you and I can be here today at this ceremony remembering their contributions and remembering them as great Americans.”

Colonel Golberg and Major Wynne were a part of the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, known as the Triple Nickel, stationed at Ubon Royal Thai Air Base. The F-4C Phantom displayed here is similar to the one they were piloting when they crashed in the jungle in North Vietnam after a reconnaissance mission.  At one time it was assigned to the 555th.

The two pilots were listed as “Missing in Action” until 1977 when their remains were located and returned to the United States. Major Wynne's remains rest at the Air Force Academy and Colonel Golberg's rest in his hometown in Minnesota.

As a further tribute to the men, two F-4s from the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron out of Tyndall AFB, Fla., performed a fly by during the ceremony.

Colonel Golberg was born near Duluth, Minn., in 1932. He was a graduate of the University of Minnesota and the ROTC program.

The colonel was one of the first Air Force F-4 pilots to shoot down a communist MiG-17. He did it April 30, 1966, during a combat air patrol mission while searching for a downed RF-101 Voodoo pilot. Prior to his Vietnam duty he was a instructor pilot at MacDill AFB, Fla.

Colonel Golberg's brother, Dr. Ralph Golberg also attended and spoke at the ceremony.

“In the past 41 years not a day has gone by that I have not thought of my big brother Larry,” he said. “He would be proud of this moment. His spirit still lives within us.”

His widow Margaret Golberg thought it fitting not only to remember Major Wynne and her husband for their sacrifices, but to remember those continuing the fight.

“I'm emotional not because I feel sad or glad.  It's because I think of all, not only my husband or Major Wynne, but all of the fallen warriors and I hope that they will be remembered,” she said. “I think it is important to not only remember the fallen but those who are still alive and carry on the mission.”

Major Wynne, born in Fairbanks, Alaska, Oct. 8, 1941, was raised in a large military family, which included three brothers and two sisters.

After graduating from the Air Force Academy in 1963, he earned a degree in political science from Georgetown University.

In 1965, then Lieutenant Wynne became a fighter pilot and was later assigned to the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Thailand.

Major Wynne had only been flying missions for four months in North Vietnam when he and Colonel Golberg were shot down by hostile anti-aircraft fire.