Relics of the American F4 pilot lieutenant colonel shot down in the sky of Nghe An

(Baonghean.vn) – Thomas Eugene Wilber – son of Walter Eugence Wilber – US Lieutenant Colonel pilot – who flew the US Army F4 fighter jet that was shot down by our army and people in the sky of Thanh Chuong in 1968, once again returned to Nghe An to donate to the Museum of Military Region IV his father's military memorabilia.

Mr. Thomas Eugene Wiber came to the IV Military Region Museum and brought with him his father's memorabilia.

Thomas came to Nghe An following his father’s wishes to look for historical witnesses or, if he was lucky, to find out any news about Bernard Francis Rupinsk – the pilot who died in the flight with his father. Here, this American man was extremely lucky to meet very kind and sincere friends who helped him in his search. They were just ordinary people, ordinary officials, a coffee shop owner, a police officer, a museum officer… but they helped Thomas piece together a past that seemed to have been forgotten after nearly 50 years.

Wilber's memorabilia from the Vietnam War 50 years ago

Thomas identified the area where the plane crashed, and he also met the people he was looking for. They were Mr. Bui Bac Van and Nguyen Van Thu, two of the first three people to capture Walter Eugence Wilber after the plane was shot down. Thomas returned to the US with the promise to bring his father back to Vietnam. However, due to serious illness, Walter died on July 8, 2015 and he was unable to fulfill his last wish.

On his return to Vietnam this April, Thomas brought a very meaningful “gift” to the Museum of Military Region IV, which was also the first place to help him fulfill his father’s wish. Those were the “souvenirs” of his father’s military life – souvenirs bearing the strong imprint of Vietnam and the fierce war years that made Mr. Walter regret endlessly when he and his comrades dropped bombs and bullets on this land.

2 unopened packs of cigarettes, given to Mr. Wilber by the Vietnamese Government on the day of his release, February 12, 1973

Mr. Wilber's officer badge

The commanding officer's badge and insignia bearing Wilber's name, were part of the flight uniform used by Wilber during the Vietnam War.

All of those souvenirs were carefully preserved by Mr. Walter. They are almost intact after nearly 50 years. That is the set of clothes he was issued at Hoa Lo Prison, Hanoi, after being captured alive in Thanh Chuong in 1968 and brought here to be detained. The underwear was also carefully preserved by him, it was 100% cotton and this was a product for export, proving that his care in prison was also a special care. There are 2 packs of cigarettes still unopened, in the past only high-ranking officers were allowed to use. The 2 packs of cigarettes were gifts that the Vietnamese Government sent to the prisoners on the day they were released, February 12, 1973.

Also included is a commanding officer's badge and an insignia with Wilber's name on it, which was part of the flight uniform he wore during the Vietnam War.

It is known that Mr. Walter Eugence Wilber was imprisoned in Hoa Lo Prison for 4 years and 8 months. During the 4 years and 8 months of imprisonment, Mr. Walter made many reports calling on the US government to end the war against the Vietnamese people.

Ceremony of donating Mr. Wilber's memorabilia to the IV Military Region Museum.

During the simple but solemn presentation ceremony at the Museum of Military Region IV, Thomas Eugene Wilber was very emotional. He said: The Vietnamese people not only taught “us” (Wiber’s father and children) valuable lessons about humanity, but also gave him more love for this country, making him feel a heavy responsibility towards it. He hopes to come to Vietnam many more times, meet the friends who helped him and be able to help in any way with the historical story related to his father.

Receiving the relic, the museum staff heard Thomas' story about his father's journey to find the old battlefield.

Colonel-Director of the IV Military Region Museum Nguyen Cong Thanh also shared: The war is over, the wounds need to be healed, but that does not mean we have the right to forget the past. The story of a son returning to his father's old battlefield, receiving help from the very people who captured his father is a story full of humanity. The relics that Thomas donated to the Museum have added another voice of an American about the unjust war in Vietnam. And the greatest wish, as everyone knows, is the wish for peace, for freedom, for people living together with love...

Thuy Vinh - Tra My