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An Air Commando who died when his C-123 flare ship was shot down over Ahn Khe, Vietnam, was laid to rest Friday at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas. The 310th Air Commando Squadron loadmaster, Airman 1st Class Jerry Mack Wall, and his unit of Air Commandos provided combat air patrol and airlift to soldiers, delivering ammo, food, supplies and troops. They also flew out wounded and killed in action GI’s, as well as prisoners, but one of the most harrowing jobs was the “candlestick” mission. During those missions, loadmasters and flare kickers would load, unload and drop hundreds of flares from the skies over southern Vietnam, illuminating the enemy. (U.S. Air Force photo courtesy AFSOC History Office)


Vietnam Airman laid to rest

An Air Commando who died when his C-123 flare ship was shot down over Ahn Khe, Vietnam, was laid to rest Friday at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas. The 310th Air Commando Squadron loadmaster, Airman 1st Class Jerry Mack Wall, and his unit of Air Commandos provided combat air patrol and airlift to soldiers, delivering ammo, food, supplies and troops. They also flew out wounded and killed in action GI’s, as well as prisoners, but one of the most harrowing jobs was the “candlestick” mission. During those missions, loadmasters and flare kickers would load, unload and drop hundreds of flares from the skies over southern Vietnam, illuminating the enemy. (U.S. Air Force photo courtesy AFSOC History Office)

Related Imagery
Herb Mason, Air Force Special Operations Command historian, speaks at his retirement ceremony on Hurlburt Field, Fla., Jan. 7, 2016. Mason served from April 28, 1965 to Jan. 3, 2016, making him the longest serving historian in Air Force history. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Melanie Holochwost)
Lt. Gen. Brad Heithold, Air Force Special Operations Command commander, presents a certificate of service to Herb Mason, AFSOC historian, at his retirement ceremony on Hurlburt Field, Fla., Jan. 7, 2016. Mason led the AFSOC history office in completing 25 on-time annual historical reports--a feat unmatched by any other Major Command. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Melanie Holochwost)
Dr. Charlie O'Connell, Air Force history office representative, presents Herb Mason, Air Force Special Operations Command historian, a memento during his retirement ceremony on Hurlburt Field, Fla., Jan. 7, 2016. The frame holds the title page to the first history document that then Airman 3rd Class Herb Mason wrote in his career. (U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Melanie Holochwost)
The final MC-130H Combat Talon II departs RAF Mildenhall for Hurlburt Field, Fla., Jan. 8, 2015. This departure flight concludes its tenure at the 7th Special Operations Squadron at RAF Mildenhall. The MC-130H, tail number 0195, is the last of its kind to leave the European theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Stacia Zachary/Released)
The aircrew prior to their departure flight Jan. 8, 2015, from RAF Mildenhall to Hurlburt Field, Florida. This is the last MC-130H Combat Talon II departure, thus ending its tenure at the 7th Special Operations Squadron at RAF Mildenhall. The MC-130H, tail number 0195, is the last of its kind to leave the European theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Stacia Zachary/Released)
Leadership from the 352nd Special Operations Group and the 100th Air Refueling Wing gathered on board Jan. 8, 2015, to respectfully say goodbye before the final MC-130H Combat Talon II departs RAF Mildenhall for Hurlburt Field, Florida. This departure flight concludes its tenure at the 7th Special Operations Squadron at RAF Mildenhall. The MC-130H, tail number 0195, is the last of its kind to leave the European theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Stacia Zachary/Released)
U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Powell, Joint Special Operations Air Component – Europe vice commander, prepares for the departure flight Jan. 8, 2015, from RAF Mildenhall to Hurlburt Field, Florida. This is the last MC-130H Combat Talon II departure, thus ending its tenure at the 7th Special Operations Squadron at RAF Mildenhall. The MC-130H, tail number 0195, is the last of its kind to leave the European theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Stacia Zachary/Released)
Airmen from the 352nd Special Operations Group and the 100th Air Refueling Wing line Delta Row taxiway Jan. 8, 2015, render a final salute as the MC-130H Combat Talon II departs RAF Mildenhall for Hurlburt Field, Florida. This departure flight concludes its tenure at the 7th Special Operations Squadron at RAF Mildenhall. The MC-130H, tail number 0195, is the last of its kind to leave the European theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Laura Yahemiak/Released)
The final MC-130H Combat Talon II departs RAF Mildenhall for Hurlburt Field, Fla., Jan. 8, 2015. This departure flight concludes its tenure at the 7th Special Operations Squadron at RAF Mildenhall. The MC-130H, tail number 0195, is the last of its kind to leave the European theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Stacia Zachary/Released)
Maj. Gen. Norm Brozenick, Air Force Special Operations Command vice commander, gives a speech on Air Force history before Airman Rickey Castorena-Ramirez, AFSOC Commander's Support Staff, cuts the cake as the youngest Airman in Headquarters AFSOC Sept. 18, 2014, Hurlburt Field, Fla. AFSOC held a cake-cutting ceremony in celebration of the Air Force's 67th birthday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Victoria Porto)
Chaplain (Col.) Scott Adams, Individual Mobilization Assistant to the command chaplain, and Airman Rickey Castorena-Ramirez, Air Force Special Operations Command Commander's Support Staff, cut the cake as the oldest and youngest Airmen in Headquarters AFSOC Sept. 18, 2014, Hurlburt Field, Fla. AFSOC held a cake-cutting ceremony in celebration of the Air Force's 67th birthday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Victoria Porto)
Adm. William McRaven, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, speaks during the Air Force Special Operations Command change of command ceremony on Hurlburt Field, Fla., July 3, 2014. Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel relinquished command to Lt. Gen. Bradley Heithold, making him the 10th AFSOC commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Callaway)