In Episode 69 of Military Tales, host Mike Thornton sits down with James Michael “Jim” Hoover for a captivating journey through his 20-year career in the United States Air Force, beginning as an Airman Basic and culminating in his retirement as a Captain. Jim provides a candid look at his foundational year as an Airman First Class security policeman at Nakhon Phanom (NKP) Royal Thai Air Force Base during the Vietnam War, detailing his diverse duties guarding the perimeter, working the flight line and base jail, and manning dangerous checkpoints where he once encountered a deadly two-step viper. He shares surprising anecdotes, from guarding figures like General Butcher and gaining insight into the top-secret Task Force Alpha, to how a simple offer to help with typing led to office duties and ultimately a recommendation for Officer Training School. Jim also speaks openly about the profound, lasting health impacts of Agent Orange exposure at NKP, the unexpected discovery of aluminum cans being smuggled from base to be melted into bombs, and concludes with a powerful, personal reflection on facing mortality and his faith, offering listeners a unique and comprehensive veteran’s perspective.
In the latest episode of Military Tales, host Mike Thornton sits down with James Michael “Jim” Hoover, who generously shares his remarkable 20-year career journey in the United States Air Force. Starting as an Airman Basic and retiring as a Captain, Jim’s story is one of unexpected turns, diverse experiences, and profound personal impact. This episode delves into his formative year as an Airman First Class (E3) security policeman at Nakhon Phanom (NKP) Royal Thai Air Force Base during the Vietnam War.
Jim initially joined the Air Force to avoid the draft into the Army, drawn by a long-standing interest in aircraft and space, inspired by shows like Walter Cronkite’s “Air Power” series. After basic training, and surprisingly bypassing technical school due to already having a college degree, he was assigned directly to Vandenberg Air Force Base. It was there, while visiting a friend injured in a motorcycle accident, that he met his future wife, then a First Lieutenant nurse. A slightly mischievous setup by his friend led to a marriage that has now lasted 53 years.
His true “Adventure” began three months after getting married, with a reassignment to NKP, Thailand. He describes this year as a period of significant personal growth. As a security policeman, his duties were varied, including working the flight line, perimeter patrols (dropping off Thai guards in sandbag bunkers), and manning checkpoints. He worked various shifts, eventually securing a day shift at the base jail, which also included Correctional Custody. When not actively guarding prisoners, he performed general law enforcement duties, such as working the Main Gate and the Thai Checkpoint at the very front of the base perimeter, watching the nearby “cardboard village”.
Life at NKP presented unique challenges and moments. Jim recounts an incident at the Thai checkpoint where construction workers alerted him to a snake in a gully. Acting quickly, he killed the snake to protect the workers, only to learn from the base veterinarian that it was a two-step viper, whose bite would freeze the nervous system within two steps. Despite a slight reprimand for killing local wildlife, the Thai workers hailed him as a hero, calling him “Dum Le” (policeman).
Another significant role at NKP was guarding the officer hooches, which housed pilots and line officers, including General Butcher, who was in charge of Task Force Alpha. Jimโs security routine involved roving foot patrols, sometimes checking the squadron bars where he learned a lot from the flying officers. He experienced the human cost of the war firsthand, participating as one of four men carrying the flag at a memorial service for a pilot shot down over Laos. He also shares a memorable anecdote about Georgia, a lieutenant’s pet non-poisonous snake that famously startled Green Berets sleeping in the hooches.
A chance encounter while guarding General Butcherโs compound led to a surprising conversation. Jim, initially challenging the General because he couldn’t see his rank on a light blue flight suit, ended up sitting on the grass with the one-star General discussing construction equipment and Task Force Alpha. He learned that Task Force Alpha was a highly top-secret operation for Intel gathering, using sensors dropped along the Ho Chi Minh Trail to track enemy movements with basic physics (“distance equals rate times time”) โ a precursor to modern military intelligence.
A seemingly small act had a major impact on Jim’s career trajectory. While at NKP, he offered to help an older Master Sergeant type an Airman Performance Report using his touch-typing skills. Impressed, the orderly room personnel pulled him into office duties, where he spent long hours typing APRs and decorations. This experience with office work followed him back to the States, leading him to a position as the Base Commander’s Chief Clerk. His sharp appearance and background as a security policeman impressed his superiors, leading to a recommendation for Officer Training School.
As an officer, Jim held various fascinating assignments. His first was with the IG Ninth Air Force. He later served at Milden Hall, England, from 1977-1980, working as a courier commander with 28 different spy agencies, including the NSA, OSI, and FBI. He even had the significant responsibility of hand-carrying messages from then-President Carter to Prime Minister Callaghan and the NATO commander. His career also took him to Edwards Air Force Base, where he worked with brilliant scientists at the Rocket Propulsion Laboratory and later commanded a Headquarters Squadron. His final assignment was at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, contracting for military aircraft engines, where his security background led him to discover and address security lapses regarding a presidential aircraft engine.
After 20 years of military service, Jim retired and began a second career in the aerospace industry. However, his service had a lasting impact on his health. He attributes significant health problems, specifically heart trouble, to Agent Orange exposure at NKP. He recalls guarding the C-123 aircraft used in Project Ranch Hand, the defoliation operation, and seeing a “sea of 55 gallon drums” at the base. This exposure, he notes, has led to many of his fellow veterans suffering from cancer, while he has battled heart issues for 25 years.
Beyond the direct risks of combat and exposure, Jim revealed a lesser-known security threat at NKP: Thai women working on base would smuggle aluminum cans from the officer and NCO clubs out under their long skirts. These cans were transported to North Vietnam, melted down, and turned into bombs used against American forces. He also detailed the constant threat of Viet Cong infiltration from across the Mekong River in Takhli, requiring sophisticated security measures like concertina wire, pressure sensors, and armored personnel carriers to counter potential attacks aimed at blowing up aircraft. Guarding critical areas like the POL (Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants) and Munitions depots was a high-stakes responsibility.
Reflecting on his time, Jim expresses gratitude for his career and the lessons learned, but offers a hesitant recommendation for military service today, citing current political changes that he feels detract from teamwork. He concludes the episode with a deeply personal and moving account of dying five times due to heart issues and seeing a “white cone” and “The Light” at the end of a tunnel, a spiritual experience that has solidified his faith.
Jim Hoover’s story is a powerful reminder of the varied roles and enduring sacrifices of those who served, bringing a unique perspective on the complexities of military life during the Vietnam era and beyond. It underscores the importance for veterans to share their experiences, echoing a common theme on Military Tales โ “Write Your Story down, tell your story” โ to preserve these vital pieces of history [This connects to the general theme of the podcast].