LT Randall Cunningham,and LT (Junior Grade) William Driscoll relax aboard aircraft carrier USS CONSTELLATION on May 10, 1972, after the three victories that made them aces — the Navy’s only aces of the Vietnam War
Image: U.S. Navy
William Patrick (Bill) Driscoll was born on 05 March 1947. At the time, his family lived on Arthur Street in Framingham. He attended Marian High (Class of 1964) where he excelled in baseball and football. After graduating from MHS, he attended Stonehill College where he was a member of the Class of 1968. He played baseball for the Chieftains. Bill received a BA in Economics then headed off to the Navy's Aviation Officers Candidate School (AOCS). Upon completion of AOCS, he was commissioned as an Ensign and sent to Naval Flight Officer (NFO) training. He received his NFO wings in 1970.
The next stop in Bill’s journey was Naval Air Station (NAS) Miramar, California. The NAS was outside of San Diego; it is now a Marine Corps Air Station. At Miramar,he received specialized training in the Navy’s F-4J Phantom II. He would soon be designated a Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) with an assignment to operational Fighter Squadron Ninety-Six (VF-96),the Fighting Falcons. While Bill was a member of the VF-96 ready room, the squadron deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64). He also received his personal squadron call sign, “Willy Irish.”
VF-96 Fighting Falcons Patch
Image: Public Domain
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 was used extensively during the Vietnam War,first as a fighter and later as a ground-attack and reconnaissance aircraft. This tandem, two-seat,twin–engine aircraft was flown by the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. It had a top speed of 1,485 miles per hour (Mach 2.2+). Bill,and his pilot Randy Cunningham flew the version that was armed with only missiles – the infrared, heat-seeking, short range AIM-9 Sidewinder and radar-guided, longer-range AIM-7 Sparrow. There was no gun/cannon for close-in dogfighting. During the Vietnam War, all five American Aces (Bill, Randy, one Air Force pilot and two Air Force Weapon Systems Officers) flew F-4's. Bill and Randy were the first Vietnam Aces.
Image: San Diego Reader, December 15,2005
In a Navy F-4 Phantom II,the pilot (in the front seat) flew the plane and primarily controlled the firing of missiles. The RIO operated the radar to detect and track targets, providing the information needed for the pilot to launch missiles. The RIO's expertise in using the radar was essential for successful engagements, especially for radar-guided missiles like the Sparrow. Both crew members had to worked as a tight team to effectively employ the aircraft’s missiles and survive combat -- the RIO handled the targeting, and the pilot initiated the launches.
Cunningham and Driscoll take questions from reporters following their famous 10 May 1972 dogfight over North Vietnam
Image: History Net
While the dogfights of 10 May were epic,the day did not end exactly as planned. After their third aerial victory, Bill’s F-4 was shot down by a North Vietnamese Surface to Air Missile (SAM). Fortunately, Driscoll and Cunningham were able to get the significantly damaged and on fire aircraft over the Gulf of Tonkin before ejecting. They transmitted their location via survival radio and within twenty minutes were picked up by a Marine Corps helicopter from the USS OKINAWA. They were subsequently lifted back to the USS CONSTELLATION.
LT. Randall Cunningham and LTJG William P. Driscoll hurry across the flight deck of the USS CONSTELLATION from a Marine Helicopter which brought them from USS OKINAWA
Image: National Archives
For his repeated acts of extraordinary heroism,conspicuous gallantry, bold courage in the face of danger and superb airmanship during combat actions over Vietnam in 1972, Bill received the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, the Purple Heart and 10 Air Medals. Of note, for Navy service members the Navy Cross is second only to the Medal of Honor for gallantry. The Silver Star is third.
Navy Cross Silver Star Purple Heart Air Medal
An autographed picture of Lieutenants Cunningham and Driscoll Image: from “Fox Two: The Story of America’s First Ace in Vietnam “(Mesa, AZ: Champlin Fighter Museum, 1984)
In recognition of his exemplary performance in Vietnam, Bill was next tasked with developing and delivering a briefing designed to discuss his experiences and pass on lessons learned to combat bound Navy Pilots and Flight Officers. Following this 10 month tour, he was assigned to the famous Navy Fighter Weapons School, or “TOPGUN” as an instructor. This was a four-year assignment. While there,he began flying the new F-14 Tomcat Fighter. Bill’s next tour of duty was with Fleet Replacement Squadron VF-124 in Miramar,where he provided advanced,aircraft specific training for new F-4 and F-14 aviators. He left the Active Duty Navy in 1982. He remained in the Navy Reserve at Miramar flying both F-4's and F-14's. He was promoted to Commander in 1984. Bill retired from the Navy Reserve in 2003.
Following his active-duty service, Bill’s primary civilian profession was Commercial Real Estate in San Diego. He also continued/continues to serve as a consultant and public speaker focusing on military aviation and/or leadership and team building. He remains an air combat consultant for TOPGUN. In total, Bill flew 170 combat missions,logged 3,300 jet hours and completed 550 carrier landings. An impressive and storied career.
Lieutenant Randall Cunningham and LTJG William P. Driscoll examine a model of an F-14 Tomcat in the office of the Secretary of the Navy (June,1972)
Image: US National Archives
Bill Driscoll, Management Consultant and Motivational Speaker
Image: Wiki, circa 2005
Parting thought....
From an interview for an Alumni Profile by Karen D. O’Malley titled “Commander William P. Driscoll ...With a Message for All People.” in Stonehill College Alumni Magazine, Summer, 1992....
“Bill also credits his happy family life growing up in Framingham, Massachusetts, as the root of his ability and successes. He visits his parents, two brothers and sister in Massachusetts several times a year. He believes that the basic values he learned from his parents as a child and young man gave him the foundation he needed to be able to achieve success.”
Resources
American Fighter Aces Association
Bill Driscoll Public Speaking; “Peak Business Performance Under Pressure”
Gathering of Eagles Foundation
Military Times Hall of Valor (https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-4195/)
Stonehill College Alumni Magazine
US National Archives
US Navy Official Website (navy.mil)
US Navy History and Heritage Command
US Veterans Administration
No comments:
Post a Comment