TSgt Richard L. Foxx

TSgt Richard Lyman Foxx, Vietnam Veteran and resident of Forest City, North Carolina.

Technical Sergeant Richard Lyman Foxx was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Air Force, TSGT Foxx served our country until October 15th, 1962 in Phu Yen, South Vietnam. He was 30 years old and was married. Richard died when his plane crashed. His body was recovered. Richard was born on February 22nd, 1932 in Gaffney, South Carolina. TSGT Foxx is on panel 01E, line 013 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for 12 years.

Technical Sergeant Richard (Dick) L. Foxx was a member of the first detachment of "Jungle Jim" air commandos deployed to Vietnam, trained at Hurlburt Field in Florida, and code named "Farmgate." The unit was designated Detachment 2A. This group was the first to use Air Force Forward Air Controllers (FACs), using the call sign "Dora Corn." TSgt Foxx was a Combat Control Team (CCT) member. He was NCOIC, e.g. NCO in charge. He was considered a "pioneer" in the enlisted forward air guide program. He was killed while performing duties in a U-10. His plane was shot down near the village of Ban Me Thout, South Vietnam, while controlling air strikes for the U.S. Army Special Forces during operation code name "Powder Blue." This operation air support included 1 Helio U-10 Super Courier, 2 Farmgate AT-28 Trojans, 1 B-26 Counter Invader bomber and 3 H-21C Shawnee Helicopters which airlifted troops into the battlefield. On board the U-10 were Cpt. Terry D. Cordell (US Army Special Forces, 1st SFG), Capt Herbert W. "Willoughby", the USAF pilot and TSgt Foxx (Combat Air Controller, Det 2 Alpha, 1st Air Commando Group).

Troops operating on the ground during the mission saw the U-10 "going straight up with fire coming from the nose area. It looped over and spiraled down into the jungle." A recovery group from the ground troops located the crash site and found all aboard dead. A perimeter was formed to protect the bodies and the wreckage. The troops then radioed for a helicopter to evacuate the bodies. It was early morning before an H-34 arrived and after aborting a few times due to ground fire, eventually landed and took the bodies and the recovery team from the scene.

Technical Sergeant Foxx is listed on the USAF Special Operations Hall of Fame, which is located in the main hallway of the SAF headquarters building on Eglin AFB. TSgt Richard Lyman Foxx, Call Sign "Dora Corn" lost while supporting Operation Powder Blue 15 Oct 62. FAC Association.

He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, The National Defense Service Medal, The Air Force Good Conduct Medal with Devices, The Air Force Longevity Service Medal with Devices, Vietnam Service Medal, Parachutist Basic Badge, The Aircrew Insignia Device, The Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.