Remembering a Downed Pilot
Forty-one years ago a twenty-five year old pilot from Douglasville, Georgia strapped himself into his silver F-105D Thunderchief for the last time in friendly territory at the Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base. Taxing behind the lead plane with hands on the stick and throttle, there was no turning back as the runway loomed ahead with the heat waves of Southeast Asia distorting the distance.
1st Lt. Robert Gerald Hunter was born to fly ever since his first flight in 1956 with Alpha Fowler, Jr. after winning an essay contest about the impact of Charles Lindergh’s Spirit of St. Louis flight across the Atlantic Ocean. America’s entrance into the Vietnam War in 1964 gave Hunter the opportunity to follow his passion of flying in an unstable theater.
After successfully bombing an enemy supply bride in northern Laos, Hunter’s F-105D was struck by a surface-to-air-missile (SAM). Unable to maintain control with the damaged aircraft, Hunter ejected quickly without radioing of any problems. His parachute deployed without a hitch as the downed pilot drifted into the jungle landscape that dangled beneath his feet.
Eventually the parachute would disappear from the eyes of Hunter’s wingman, who circled the area noting the location for rescue crews. Fierce ground fire hampered any rescue of Lt. Hunter in the days and weeks ahead. Unbeknownst to many was that local villagers in the area had found the unconscious pilot hanging from his parachute in some trees.
Robert Hunter was reported Missing In Action for eight weeks until his body was positively identified at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. It would be mid-July before Robert and Zelma Hunter learned that their only son had been found deceased. The tragic untold part of this story was that Lt. Hunter had been home months before at a dinner that celebrated the appointment of a new manager to the Douglas County Electric Membership Corporation.
Today I would like to officially announce on the 41st anniversary of 1st Lt. Robert G. Hunter’s death that I am pursuing efforts to write a comprehensive history of Hunter’s life, legacy and memorial in the form of a book. Many people that were connected to Hunter’s legacy have passed away, like his parents, Charlie Jones - who rescued Hunter’s body, Dogie Stockmeyer, and Bob Harper.
With today’s announcement I would like to share the Douglas County Sentinel’s July 21, 1966 article on Hunter’s death.
Air Force Announces Hunter Killed in Viet Nam Action
Robert Gerald Hunter, listed as missing in Viet Nam since May 25, was apparently killed when his plan was shot down over enemy territory.
Official word of his death was received here Monday after the parents had been hoping against hope that their son would be able to survive the plane crash.
Ironically, Lt. Hunter’s wife, the former Laura Ann Milby of Valdosta, was in Douglasville over the weekend. But she left for her home in South Georgia before official word about her husband was delivered.
Sheriff Claude Abercrombie, caught in the middle of a massive manhunt, put out a police bulletin to stop the Milby car but officers were unable to find the car until it arrived in Valdosta.
It was no known at press time when or where the funeral services would be held. A close relative said that the body was being sent back to the United States for burial.
At the Chamber of Commerce meeting Tuesday it was recommended that the Recreation Park be named after the Douglas County hero.
The Chamber approved the suggestion made by Richard Waggoner and Kent Dickinson, president, was given the task of turning the suggestion over to the Park Commission.
The downed pilot is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Hunter, 318 Pinecrest Drive, Douglasville.
Lt. Hunter went down under heavy artillery fire on May 35. After the Hunters received word about their only son being missing, Mrs. Hunter said, “We are just hanging on to every little thread of hope. I hope that he was taken prisoner.”
The days that have passed have been like a nightmare for Mr. and Mrs. Hunter, not knowing what was the fate of their son.
“We couldn’t have endured the tragedy” Mrs. Hunter said, “if it hadn’t been for our many friends and their prayers.”
At the time Lt. Hunter’s plane was shot down, he was on an “operational mission.” After his plane was struck by hostile ground fire, he ejected, according to reports from other pilots on the flight.
A fellow pilot reported that he got “a good chute” and was observed landing in some trees. This was the last visual contact with the downed pilot by his companions.
It is not known how the pilot’s body was discovered after a lapse of nearly eight weeks.
Hostile ground fire on May 25, in the area hampered search efforts but extensive searches were conducted later. It was reported at the time of his disappearance that “because of large oscillations in his chute” during descent, there was a possibility that he could have suffered injuries during the landing.
Lt. Hunter was in Douglasville for the official announcement of the appointment of Charles Overman as the new manager of the Douglas County Electric Membership Company.
The 25-year old pilot attended the REA dinner meeting March 14 with his mother, father, and recent bride.
He left the following morning for a tour of overseas duty. His father drove him to the Atlanta Airport in the early morning hours for the departure.
Lt. Hunter was a graduate of Douglas County High School and while there was named to attend Boys State. Later he went to the Citadel where he graduated three years ago.
He was married in July 1965. His bride lives with her parents in Valdosta.
