Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Software, E-Resource Audio Recording Richard Lyman Bates Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Air Force
- Unit of Service: 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing
- Location of Service: Edwards Air Force Base and Sacramento, California; Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand; Germany
- Highest Rank: Major
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/27026
After six months flying missions out of the Ubon Royal Air Force Base in Thailand, and with approximately a hundred and thirty-five missions under his belt, Air Force Major Richard Lyman Bates was shot down over enemy territory on October 5, 1972. Captured by the North Vietnamese, he spent the next six months as a prisoner of war. To keep his mind sharp, he made endless mental lists of the names of states, capital cities, and people he knew. Returning to the States in March 1973, he served in the Air Force for 17 more years, which he credits with letting him follow his passion for flying airplanes.
Richard Lyman Bates Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlaySpent the first six months flying combat operations; flew about a hundred and thirty-five missions; dropping laser guided bombs; shot down October 5, 1972. 00:07:09.5 - 00:09:45.5
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PlayCaptured immediately; spent next two months traveling to Hanoi; reunited with his pilot; reaching Hanoi Hilton; physical abuse. 00:10:06.5 - 00:12:38.5
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PlayReciting the Lord's Prayer; doing mind games and mental activities to occupy time; making lists of people he knew in high school and college. 00:12:45.5 - 00:15:50.5
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PlayGiven just enough food to sustain life; medical care almost nonexistent; was not able to receive Red Cross packages. 00:16:10.5 - 00:20:15.5
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PlayGetting news of potential release in March of 1973; logistics of release. 00:24:22.5 - 00:29:57.5
About this Item
Title
- Richard Lyman Bates Collection
Names
- Library of Congress
- Veterans History Project
- Clyburn, Vera
- Bates, Richard Lyman
Home State
- Texas
Headings
- - Bates, Richard Lyman
- - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Air Force.
- - Prisoner of War -- United States
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- White
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Air Force
- Unit of Service: 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing
- Location of Service: Edwards Air Force Base and Sacramento, California; Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand; Germany
- Highest Rank: Major
- Dates of Service: 1970-1990
- Prisoner of War: Yes
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Computer File: Floppy Disk [1 item] -- Electronic file of manuscript (collected 2005-06-23; 2005-07-14)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2005-06-23)
- Audio: Audio Cassette [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2005-05-28)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/27026
Cite as
- Richard Lyman Bates Collection (AFC/2001/001/27026), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- online text