Above the Fire: Colonel James C. Harding’s Incredible Vietnam Journey on Military Tales Episode 70

In the latest episode of Military Tales, host Mike Thornton welcomes a true American hero, Colonel James C. Harding, whose valor and achievements place him among the most decorated service members in U.S. history. Colonel Harding, a command pilot with nearly 5,000 hours of military single-engine flight time and a master parachutist, shares his gripping story, focusing primarily on his harrowing experiences in the skies over Vietnam. This episode provides a unique look into the life of a pilot who flew an extraordinary 596 combat missions, including 139 over North Vietnam, all in propeller-driven aircraft.

Colonel Harding’s path to becoming a decorated combat pilot began far from the battlefield; he grew up on a dairy farm and hadn’t even seen an airplane until college. His decision to join the Air Force, initially through ROTC to avoid the draft, was influenced by a newfound interest in flying after a summer camp experience. Despite being offered opportunities like a job as a lineman for the Los Angeles Rams, he chose aviation after graduating from Penn State in 1956. His early career included pilot training, becoming a T-33 instructor, checking out in jet aircraft like the F-86, and even flying four combat missions in the F-84 during operations off Cuba to stop the import of war materials.

His first assignment directly contributing to the Vietnam effort came in 1964 from Okinawa, where he had been serving as a plans officer writing strategic defense plans for the Pacific. He initially went in as a Ground FAC (Forward Air Controller) with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, the first American unit in the country. Working from a Jeep equipped with multiple radios, he quickly realized the difficulty of spotting the enemy in the dense jungle from the ground and sought the opportunity to fly. He got checked out in the O-1 Birddog, even learning to fly the “tail dragger” with an observer who hadn’t unstowed his controls, an early, unexpected challenge. He spent about eight months with the 173rd, learning how to conduct operations and working closely with the brigade commander, even participating in ground search and destroy missions. He also worked with the Royal Australian Regiment battalion attached to the 173rd.

Colonel Harding played a vital role beyond flying; he was sent back to Cessna to write the -1 training manual for the O-1 in Air Force language and was introduced to the O-2 Skymaster (337A), a more capable aircraft with pusher-puller engines that would become the second FAC aircraft. His duties involved traveling back and forth to Vietnam on temporary duty to fly with different units as a standardization and evaluation instructor, combining best practices and publishing information for all pilots. He also worked with the ROK Capital Division and the Big Red One, participating in search and destroy missions, including covering areas after B-52 strikes and supporting “tunnel rats” investigating Viet Cong tunnels. He flew night missions in Laos with AT-28s using starlight scopes to find targets like trucks on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, often directing strikes by Laotian and Thai pilots.

Returning to Vietnam in 1971, Colonel Harding transitioned to the A-1 Skyraider, a powerful propeller-driven aircraft that felt “heavy” compared to the jets he’d flown, but was very maneuverable. Based again at Nakhon Phanom (NKP), he served as the operations officer for the legendary First Special Operations Squadron, the “Hobos,” responsible for scheduling flights, training new pilots, and ensuring aircraft were ready. His primary mission shifted significantly to combat search and rescue (SAR), providing crucial protection for rescue helicopters like the Jolly Green Giants while they hovered over downed airmen. He describes this as exciting but very dangerous work, immediately returning fire if shot at. He also supported Vietnamese ground troops and flew strike missions into North Vietnam to disrupt the flow of supplies down the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Colonel Harding’s close working relationship with Task Force Alpha (TFA), located right on NKP, was critical for these interdiction missions. TFA used acoustic and seismic sensors dropped along the trail to detect enemy movement, providing intelligence that FACs like Harding used to locate targets the same day, a highly classified operation at the time.

The episode features vivid accounts of the intense danger Colonel Harding faced. He recounts being shot at “almost all the time,” especially in South Vietnam and North Vietnam. He describes a harrowing mission over North Vietnam where an SA-2 missile hit his wingman, obliterating the aircraft, and another SA-2 was fired at him, forcing him into a dive to evade it. He was shot down twice during his tours. The first time was in a Huey helicopter with a brigade commander after being hit, forcing them to land and establish a perimeter while taking fire before being rescued. The second, even more perilous time, was in his A-1 during a rescue mission in South Vietnam in 1972. His aircraft was hit by an SA-7 surface-to-air missile, blowing off the cowling and prop. As he attempted to glide away, a second SA-7 hit him in the back, freezing his elevator controls and sending him into a straight dive. He ejected at low altitude (around 1,200 ft) while being shot at in his parachute, landing amidst intense enemy presence. On the ground, he evaded capture and killed three enemy combatants using his pistol and a captured AK-47. Miraculously, he was rescued by a U.S. Army helicopter, which itself was hit after picking up others.

Colonel Harding was involved in several renowned rescue missions. He was the SAR coordinator at NKP during the Bat 21 rescue, a protracted and dangerous effort to save Lieutenant Colonel Iceal “Gene” Hambleton. This mission highlighted the extreme risks, resulting in multiple aircraft losses and leading to a change in rescue procedures to ensure the area was secure before sending in helicopters. He was also involved in the rescue of all 15 crew members from a downed AC-130 gunship (Spectre) in Laos. Another notable rescue, which lasted five days, involved saving Clyde Smith, whose Navy aircraft was shot down over a critical junction on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, surrounded by anti-aircraft artillery. This rescue utilized riot gas (CS) to deter the enemy and required days of effort to eliminate the threats. He also participated in the northernmost rescue at that point, retrieving Roger after being on the ground for 20 days near Hanoi.

Perhaps one of the most impactful stories shared is the Valiant 04 Alpha rescue of Lynn Eggman, an F-4 pilot who bailed out at high speed, suffering severe injuries, and was hanging in a tree just feet from the ground. Colonel Harding was airborne providing support as the initial rescue attempt by another helicopter was shot up and disabled. Dale Stovall, in the standby helicopter, made the incredibly courageous decision to go in despite the intense ground fire from multiple directions. Colonel Harding describes seeing bullets hitting the winch operator through the door as Stovall hovered under fire, enabling the PJ, Chuck McGrath, to reach Eggman. The bravery displayed in this mission led to efforts to upgrade Stovall’s Silver Star to a Medal of Honor. Colonel Harding reflects on the immense courage required to hover while taking fire and the near-unbelievable sequence of events that allowed the rescue to succeed. He shared a powerful, emotional moment years later, standing in the actual rescue helicopter at a museum with Lynn Eggman, Dale Stovall, and Chuck McGrath.

Colonel Harding concludes with poignant reflections on his service and the state of the nation. He is a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and emphasizes the brotherhood among veterans, acknowledging how fortunate they are to have survived. He laments that unlike past wars, the U.S. hasn’t decisively won conflicts since Korea, suggesting decisions by leadership have “empowered the enemy”. He expresses concern about the current military and society, believing there’s been a move away from the core values, teamwork, and dedication to sacrifice he witnessed, attributing societal issues partly to a departure from faith. His powerful message is that the enemy is committed to fighting until they win, playing a long game, and the U.S. needs to understand this mindset and commit fully to defeating enemies who seek to eliminate the American way of life.

Colonel James C. Harding’s interview is a compelling and honest account of bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication in the face of extreme danger. It offers invaluable insights into the critical role of forward air controllers and search and rescue during the Vietnam War and leaves the listener with profound thoughts on service, courage, and the nation’s path. You won’t want to miss this episode of Military Tales.