This is the true story of Master Sergeant David M. Burns, an
aerial gunner assigned to the deadliest squadron in air force
history. Aboard the AC-130 Spectre gunship, he flew a total of 287
combat missions over Laos, South Vietnam, and Cambodia, in pursuit
of the truck traffic coming down the Ho Chi Minh Trail. His
squadron destroyed more than fifteen thousand trucks loaded with
war munitions destined for South Vietnam and Cambodia. Despite
heavy and constant anti-aircraft and missile fire, the loss of six
aircraft and the lives of fifty-two men, the crew never wavered in
its dedication to the mission.
Master Sergeant Burns has a distinguished military career that
began in 1951 at the age of fifteen. He served one tour of duty in
Phan Rang, South Vietnam, in 1967, and four tours of duty in the
16th Special Operations Squadron in Southeast Asia as an aerial
gunner, lead gunner, and instructor gunner. He served in both the
United States Navy and Air Force, earning three Distinguished
Flying Crosses for heroism, twenty-seven Air Medals, as well as a
Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, Armed Forces
Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam
Service Medal with nine battle stars, and other decorations from
the Korean War. He was wounded twice and is credited with saving
the lives of fourteen crewmembers.
This is his story.
General
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