Officer’s Candidate School in
Quantico, Virginia
Summer, 1964

Paul’s mother, Ramona E. (Creed) Derby, and Dorothy
pinning on his bars at the commissioning ceremony.

Paul entered the Marine Corps in September 1965.  He attended Officer’s Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia.  He received his commission upon graduation from Stout State University, July 1965.

By Dorothy Marie (Wormet) (Derby) Franczyk

“It was the third week in November, 1963, at Stout State University.  Paul and I were to have our first date Saturday night.  

President Kennedy was shot on Friday, November 22, 1963.  When I heard the news, I wanted to go home, as did most of the students.  Although it was not considered proper for girls to phone boys back then, but I called Paul to inform him I was going home.  He always teased me about breaking our first date.  Neither of us ever dated anyone else after that day. 

Well into our relationship, Paul shared the fact he would be spending the summer at Quantico, Virginia, in Officer Candidate School.  His dream was to be a jet fighter pilot.  His dream was fulfilled.”

After his flight training, Paul received further jet training in Meridian, Mississippi, and Kingsville, Texas.  He received his wings as a fighter pilot at
Corpus Christi, Texas in February 1967.

Paul’s certificate of completion for the Land Survival, Evasion, Resistance to Interrogation, and Escape Course on July 13, 1967.

From the local newspaper...

Pilot 3/c Charles A. Derby (left) graduated from the procurement specialists’ school at Lowry AFB, Colorado, and is home on leave until March 18, 1967, when he will report for duty with the 6417th
Combat Support Group in Taiwan.  He is a graduate of Columbus High School and entered service last September 21.
 
First Lt. Paul D. Derby, Marine Corps jet fighter pilot, got his wings Feb. 17, 1967, at Corpus Christi, Texas.  He is a graduate of Columbus High and Stout State University-Menomonie and entered
service in September 1965.  He and his wife are visiting in Baraboo en route to his new assignment at Cherry Point, North Carolina.  The pilot and his wife are also visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Erman Willfahrt.

This is Captain Paul Derby's F4 Phantom #9456
The photo was taken by David Eckert, an
electrician on the jets in Vietnam. The photo was shared by Amber Gregg, David's daughter.

Chu Lai, Vietnam

The squadron's  typical sortie during this period: 

“Fingerprint 25 (a Marine forward air controller in a 01 Bird Dog) directed the flight against a North Vietnamese Army (NVA) command post and antiaircraft site. The flight encountered intense .50-cal machine gun and 12.l5mmf 37 mm enemy fire.  The flight delivered their MK-117s on target and destroyed two antiaircraft positions, a probable three .50-cal machine gun positions, and had three KBA confirmed.”

Soon, several pilots in the Silver Eagles were passing the 300-mission mark.  Several Air Medals were being awarded, as well as recommendations for Bronze Stars. The squadron’s awards include the Navy Commendation Medals, Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry, Distinguished Flying Crosses, Single Mission Air Medals, Navy Achievement Medals, and Purple Hearts.

VMFA-115 F-4 Phantom over Vietnam

When Captain Paul Derby arrived that Summer, squadron efforts continued at a high level, with the monthly operations averaging 600-700 combat flight hours.  

The squadron continued to pile up very impressive mission totals, but at a price.  On 13 July, Captain John C. Hurst and First Lieutenant Leonard A. Bird were killed.  They were flying a close-air support mission when their aircraft was observed bursting into fire and crashing near Khe Sanh.

The squadron also received additional ground training, even during combat.  Squadron personnel were sent to such locations as the Jungle Escape and Survival Training Course in the Philippines; Sea Survival School in Japan.  Forward Air Controller School at Okinawa; Non-commissioned Officer Leadership School; Corrosion Control Course; Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Warfare School; KY 28 (secure voice radio equipment) School; and the H-7 Rocket Ejection Seat School.

CH-47 Helicopter going to the supply pickup pad, Chu Lai

On 8 October 1968, Captain Joseph W. Jones III and Captain Daniel J. Coonon were killed in a crash as a result of enemy action while on a close-air-support mission near Da Nang.  

In October, the squadron's on-hand aircraft strength rose to 16 after the some improved planes were returned after some modifications in Japan.  These improvements included the new H-7 rocket seat with ground ejection capability, and the incorporation of utility hydraulics for the flight control system. New survival radios for aircrew members were also distributed.

Lieutenant Colonel Robert R. Norton assumed command of the squadron on 28 November 1968.  Combat flight hours rose dramatically from 411 in November to 739 in December.

The diversions for the squadron included rest and recreation (R&R).  Leave permitted personnel to visit Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Formosa, Hong Kong, and Hawaii.  

In addition, the Post Exchange featured good buys on sought after stereo equipment.  The Red Cross workers came for visits, and an Enlisted Men’s' Club was available for use.

On 21 September 1968, Captain Robert F. Conley Jr. and First Lieutenant Steven R. Major were killed when their aircraft crashed, apparently hit by enemy fire while flying on a close-air-support mission near Phu Bai.  

Paul is standing to the left, below the star on the wing.

The difficulty of some of the missions was seen in a quote from the December command chronology: “The flight, working under a 2,200-foot ceiling in mountainous terrain with friendly troops 150 meters from the target and ground fire in the area, destroyed eight structures in a fortified village.”  Hazardous duty such as this brought casualties.

On November 17, 1968, Captain Paul D. Derby and First Lieutenant Thomas A. Reich were killed while on a close-air-support mission southwest of Chu Lai.Captain Paul David Derby had been in Vietnam for only four months!

Memorial Stones at Neillsville,
Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial

The circle is the area where Paul’s jet went down.

Captain Paul David Derby
 
PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record:  Menomonie, WI
Date of birth:  01/04/1943

MILITARY DATA
Service:  United States Marine Corps
Grade at loss:  O3
Rank:  Captain
ID No:  092335
MOS:  7521: PILOT VMFA (I)
Length Service:  06
Unit:  VMFA-115, MAG-13, 1ST MAW, III MAF

CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour:  07/25/1968
Incident Date:  11/17/1968
Casualty Date:  11/17/1968
Age at Loss:  25
Location:  Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam Remains:  Body not recovered
Casualty Type:  Hostile, died outright
Casualty Reason:  Fixed Wing - Pilot

The Virtual Wall Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Wall in Washington DC honors those who died in the Vietnam War.

PAUL D. DERBY
is on the Wall at Panel 39W Line 077
We Thank You For Your Service Paul.

The William Avery Family had a picnic at the Veteran’s Memorial in Reedsburg, WI in September 2011.  A memorial stone was purchased for both William Avery and Paul Derby.

In 2015,  I had been contacted by Erin Miller, the author of this book, “Wisconsin’s 37: The Lives of Those Missing in Action in the Vietnam War."

Erin had seen my online memorial for Paul and had contacted me to find out who she could talk to concerning Paul.  I had contacted Dorothy (Wormet) (Derby) Franczyk and with time…Paul’s story for the book was written. 

Paul is one of those 37. 

Available on Amazon at:
LINK HERE