AFMC Command News

Secretary Wynne's brother remembered during F-4 dedication

  • Published
  • By Janae Daniels
  • Arnold Engineering Development Center Public Affairs
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  After visiting Iraq, Afghanistan and Walter Reed Army Hospital, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne was compelled by service members' overwhelming attitude of the military ethic of "standing watch so others may be free."

He faced similar emotions Nov. 27 when a Vietnam-era F-4C Phantom II static display was dedicated here in honor of two men: Secretary Wynnes' brother, Maj. Patrick Wynne, and Col. Lawrence Golberg.

Colonel Golberg and Major Wynne were a part of the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, known as the Triple Nickel, stationed at Ubon Royal Thai Air Base when they were killed in action Aug. 8, 1966. The F-4C Phantom displayed here is similar to the one they were piloting when they crashed in the jungle over North Vietnam after a reconnaissance mission. At one time the F-4C was assigned to the 555th TFS.

The two pilots were listed as "missing in Action" until 1977 when their remains were located and returned to the United States. Major Wynne's remains rest at the Air Force Academy and Colonel Golberg's rest in his hometown in Minnesota.

"Pat believed with all his heart in what he was doing," Secretary Wynne said during the ceremony.

The commander of the Arnold Engineering Development Center, Col. Art Huber, offered opening remarks.

"Today our dedication is focused on those who flew the Phantom as much as it is on the aircraft itself," he said.

"We honor Colonel Golberg and Major Wynne who answered their countries call and bravely flew into harms way," Colonel Huber said. "Their payment of the ultimate price means you and I can be here today at this ceremony remembering their contributions and remembering them as great Americans."

The guest speaker for the dedication was Clarence "Dick" Anderegg, director of Air Force History and Museums Policies and Programs. He served as an Air Force officer for 30 years and was a former F-4 Fighter Weapons School instructor pilot. He flew more than 3,700 hours in the F-4C/D/E/G and the F-15A/C/E, including 170 combat missions during the Vietnam War.

During a portion of his speech, Mr. Anderegg displayed a green hat with the inscription 555th TFS, Triple Nickel with a lieutenant's bar. As he spoke he took off the hat to pay respect to the men.

"These men of the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron loved that aircraft," he said. "It's what they started out with. They are the ones who set and carried the example; we stand on their shoulders. Even though I have flown some powerful aircraft in my military career, my heart belongs with the Phantom."

As a further tribute to the men, two F-4s from the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron out of Tyndall AFB, Fla., flew by during the ceremony.

Colonel Golberg
Born near Duluth, Minn., in 1932, Colonel Golberg was a graduate of the University of Minnesota and the Reserve Officers' Training Corp program.

The colonel was one of the first Air Force F-4 pilots to shoot down a communist MiG-17. He did it April 30, 1966, during a combat air patrol mission for a downed RF-101 pilot. Prior to his Vietnam duty he was an instructor pilot at MacDill AFB, Fla.

Colonel Golberg's brother, Ralph Golberg, also attended and spoke at the ceremony.

"In the past 41 years not a day has gone by that I have not thought of my big brother" he said. "He would be proud of this moment. His spirit still lives within us."

Colonel Golberg's widow, Margaret Golberg, said she thought it was fitting not only to remember Major Wynne and her husband for their sacrifices, but to remember those continuing the fight.

"I'm emotional not because I feel sad or glad, it's because I think of all the fallen warriors and I hope that they will be remembered," she said. "I think it is important to not only remember the fallen but those who are still alive and carry on the mission."

Major Wynne
Major Wynne was born Oct. 8, 1941 in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was raised in a large military family, which included three brothers and two sisters.

After graduating from the Air Force Academy in 1963, he earned a degree in political science from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

In 1965, then Lieutenant Wynne became a fighter pilot and was later assigned to the 555th TFS. His radio call sign was "Ozark."

Major Wynne had only been flying missions for four months in North Vietnam when he and Colonel Golberg were shot down by hostile anti-aircraft fire.