JAMES BADLEY

On 27 March 1968, Captain Richard L. Whitteker and 2nd Lieutenant James L. Badley, both of the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, departed Danang Air Base on a strike mission into North Vietnam. Jim Badley did not return from his 85th mission - their F-4D PHANTOM went down in North Vietnam. Although both men were initially listed as Missing in Action, an Air Force review board determined that the circumstances of their loss were such that survival was not possible and recommended that their status be changed. The recommendation was approved on 08 May 1968 and their status was changed to "Hostile Loss/Died while Missing/Body not Recovered". As of 5 July 2002, neither Whitteker's nor Badley's remains have been repatriated. Jim Badley was graduated from Oregon State University with the Class of 1965 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Air Force Reserve. He began flight training at Williams AFB, received his wings in October 1966, and received F-4 training at Davis-Monthan AFB before reporting to the 480th TFS at Danang in September 1967. Badley was shot down on his 25th mission on 20 Nov 67 but was rescued. His actions while on the ground during the rescue operation warranted the award of the Silver Star. Captain John Martin, who was flying as aircraft commander that day, did not survive the incident. On 14 Mar 68, Badley assisted in providing RESCAP support during a successful effort to pick up two downed aviators; he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Force Commendation Medal for his efforts.