F-22 test squadron recognizes decorated squadron member, Vietnam hero
U.S. Navy Lt. Garry Weigand (left), F-4 pilot, and Navy Lt. j.g. William Freckleton, F-4 radar intercept officer, pose after encountering and shooting down an aggressive MiG-17 that engaged their lead F-4 crewmates on March 6, 1972, while flying in trail in an F-4B during a MiG Combat Air Patrol mission 50 miles north of Quang Lang Airfield in North Vietnam. The actions Weigand and Freckleton took that day saved their wingmen. Freckleton is the only decorated Vietnam veteran at the 411th Flight Test Squadron with 117 combat missions, one MiG-17 kill, 1,100 flight hours in the F-4 and 1,300 hours in the F-14, and 357 aircraft carrier landings who is retiring this year after more than 40 years of combined military and government civilian service. (Courtesy photo)