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Larry Peterson died last night of terminal cancer on his 83rd birthday at the Minneapolis VA Hospital. The man always had an amazing sense of humor and could still make me laugh until the very end. He had been through hell and was facing the end, yet he carried a smile. I only hope that I can approach my own final days with the same grace.
I thought about an incredible group of people I’ve known through my Air Force and Vietnam experiences. We share a bond that is unpredictable, yet deeply real and emotional. It’s also a story about how we think we control our lives, but fate often determines our destiny.
Four names you’ve never heard—Larry Peterson, Mel Pollack, Wayne Waddell, and myself, Cal Tax—have been intertwined by fate. This is our story.
Barry Howard taught us to fly jets in the Cessna T-37 “Tweety Bird.”
Larry and I became close friends during Air Force pilot training in 1965. We shared the same instructor, Captain Barry Howard, who taught us to fly jets in the Cessna T-37 “Tweety Bird.” He inspired us to pursue challenging aircraft and aimed for all his students to become fighter pilots. He demanded excellence with kindness and respect. I shall never forget him.
Mel and I went to Long Beach High School (NY) together. I was in the class of 1960, Mel in 1959, but we often socialized together and shared friends. Back then, our main interests were hot rods, girls, and the usual ’60s high school antics.
Wayne and I flew in combat together in the Republic F-105 Thunderchief, nicknamed the “Thud.”
Wayne and I flew in combat together in the Republic F-105 Thunderchief, nicknamed the “Thud,” during the summer of 1967. We were in different squadrons but part of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing based at Takhli Air Base in Thailand.
We flew missions bombing targets in North Vietnam as part of Operation Rolling Thunder, often in formations of twenty or more planes, attacking railroad yards, bridges, and other critical infrastructure. Anti-aircraft fire was intense and radar-directed, with SAMs and MiG fighters always a threat. This was before “smart bombs,” and our technology was basic—similar to what had been used in World War II. In 1967, we were the last of the “Iron Bombers.”
How did these four lives intertwine? Through an incredible series of unplanned coincidences. I am grateful our paths crossed.
Larry and Mel were roommates at Da Nang Air Base in South Vietnam and flew the F-4 Phantom.
Larry and Mel were roommates at Da Nang Air Base in South Vietnam in 1967. Both were F-4 Phantom pilots. On his very first mission, Larry was shot down over North Vietnam. By luck and skill, he and his co-pilot managed to eject safely, barely escaping capture or death, though Larry spent days in the hospital recovering from injuries sustained during the bailout.
Remarkably, Larry was shot down again on his twentieth mission, landing in a field in the middle of a firefight between US Marines and the Viet Cong. He barely survived. After that, Larry chose to fly the smaller, single-engine Cessna O-1 “Bird Dog” as a Forward Air Controller (FAC), believing it was safer than continuing with the Phantom. Mel warned him it was a dangerous assignment, but Larry was determined. Many “Bird Dogs” were shot down, yet he survived his tour.
Meanwhile, Wayne’s F-105 was shot down over North Vietnam on July 5, 1967, and Mel’s F-4 the very next day. Both were captured and endured nearly six years as prisoners of war.
After the war, Larry wanted to reconnect with Mel but couldn’t locate him. I told him Mel and I were high school friends, and through a few phone calls, they were reunited. But the story didn’t end there.
Wayne and I, now living in Atlanta, had become close because of our shared Thud history. When I mentioned Mel, Wayne said, “I know Mel. We were cellmates in Hanoi.” The coincidences seemed unbelievable. I had planned a reunion for the four of us, but fate intervened again when Larry was diagnosed with terminal cancer this past April.
During a visit to the VA Hospital in Minneapolis, we watched a video about the Cessna O-1 “Bird Dog.”
During a visit to the VA Hospital in Minneapolis, we watched a video about the Cessna O-1 “Bird Dog.” Larry was speechless and overwhelmed with emotion. “That little airplane saved my life,” he whispered. And he believed it—and perhaps he was right.
Larry, Mel, Wayne, and I were all fighter pilots, warriors, and survivors of a very difficult time. There is no glory to bask in—we were doing jobs we thought were important. Fate controlled our destinies, and many of our comrades did not survive.
When I visit the long black wall in Washington, DC, I see the names of friends and mates. I wonder if Vietnam was worth the sacrifice. Perhaps only those who were there can answer that question.
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Great story, thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your comment. Are you any relation to John Morrissey?
Yes, I am youngest son. I shared your article with him and he said “exactly so…”
Tell your Dad I miss seeing him. He is a great warrior and an example for all of us to follow.
Cal, Thanks for sharing what is obviously some ‘near and dear’ experiences with your fellow fighter pilots. I enjoy reading your stories and spending time with you and Wayne at our Daedalian meetings! One thing that has always stuck with me about those I flew with — I didn’t choose them, and they didn’t choose me, but I was fortunate to be among a group of outstanding warriors and consider myself lucky to have been counted among them!
Thanks for the kind words, Dale. You are a great writer and I always enjoy reading your tales and sharing your experiences. Keep those stories coming!
I have 7 stories in here as well. Look under meet the authors…another on should be coming out soon
Cal,
So well said. Life is full of coincidences, many that we never realize. FYI, Larry and I were also apartment mates in Tucson, AZ in 1966 during our F-4 training. You re perfectly correct about Larry and his larger-than-life personality. He was such a joy to be around. I miss him dearly. Stay well and best regards,
Mel
Hi Cal and Mel.
Cal, your writing and story of course is very interesting as both you and Mel have experienced an incomparable journey in the Air Force.. When we were all together at my son’s wedding a decade ago, you both made me happy to see and talk to you about our growing up together and of course too, your pilot days.
I often think that had I gone in with you as was planned, I may have not been the lucky one to survive.
Nevertheless, I continue to think of both of you quite a bit and only wish you the best of health and happiness..
As we are now in our “Special Years,” I am greatly appreciative for the time and health we have and hope it continues.
Stay well.
Kindest personal regards, Ted
thank you, cal. for almost 52 years, larry and i lived his viet nam experience as husband and wife. i can never fully understand his experience or those of you who served in viet nam or were prisoners of war. it influenced and colored a major part of larry’s life for his entire life as well as mine. your stories help add depth to my understanding. thank you. your visits to the hospice wing at the v.a. in minneapolis meant more to him than you may know. it helped him process this life event at a time when he needed someone who had walked the walk to help him do that. thank you.
Cal,
Great story. Thank you for sharing the experiences of a great group of special airmen.
Regards, Linwood
Thanks, Steve. Our numbers are getting smaller every year so we need to pass on the knowledge and inspire the next generations.
Cal,
Thanks for the great and inspiring story. It is amazing how lives intertwine during the course of our life.
Also, I am honored that I got to fly with you at Delta. You were one of “ the good ones” that we always looked forward to on a rotation!
Hope all is well!
Regards,
Mike
Great to hear from you, Mike. Thanks for the compliment.
Cal thanks for a great tribute. Mel wa in of many of your Hanoi mates I had the honor of helping get back on the horse at George.
Hi Cal, great story of bonding, mine was as the youngest pilot in the uniform of A Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officer chasing poachers and making arrests. I love hearing your stories and your friends. Cheers Myles
Where can I get that AWESOME picture of that Georgia Air National Guard F-105G to save????