Find-A-Grave Contributor, "Lady In Black" made the following contribution to this memorial. It was an article in a local newspaper:
Memorial services for William Farris, son of Mrs. Farrell Farris of West Salem, who was one of twelve crewmen aboard a Naval patrol aircraft that went down off the coast of South Vietnam on February 6, will be held Saturday, February 17 at the Walnut Grove church of the Brethren, located east of Parkersburg in Bonpas township. Rev. Phillip Kesler will officiate at the service.
Young Farris, 25, was a son of Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Farris and the late Farrell Farris of West Salem.
He was to have completed his tour of duty on February 20 after four years in the U. S. Navy.
He was a 1961 graduate of the Edwards County Senior High School in Albion and was to have been married shortly after his discharge.
Walnut Grove - Hi, I found the following taken from the Korean War records on file at the National Archives regarding his service. I thought you might like to ‘copy and paste' it to his memorial…
Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician, Third Class Farris had been living in West Salem, IL when he entered the service.
He was a member of Patrol Squadron 26, at U Tapao Airbase, Thailand.
On February 6, 1968, he was a member of the crew of a Lockeed Orion Patrol Bomber (P-3B) over the Gulf of Thailand when contact was lost. His remains were never recovered.
His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
Further information on William:
Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician 3rd Class William Farrell Farris was born on December 15, 1942 . AX3 Farris was the son of Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Farris and the late Farrell Farris of West Salem, Illinois and had 3 years of service in the U.S. Navy arriving in the Vietnam region serving with Patrol Squadron 26 (VP-26), Task Force 72 (TF-72), 7th Fleet out of U-Tapao Royal Thailand Air Force Base, Thailand.
On February 5, 1968, a P-3B “Orion" aircraft (153440) assigned to Patrol Squadron 26 out of U Tapao Tai Navy Airbase, Thailand, with Combat Aircrew 8 onboard left on a "Market Time" shipping surveillance mission over the Gulf of Siam with a scheduled return time of 0900 the following morning, February 6, 1968. The primary object of Operation Market Time was to prevent the enemy from strengthening its forces in South Vietnam through seaborne infiltration of supplies and munitions using smaller junks, sampans, and other craft within South Vietnamese coastal waters. The crew of 12 on board the aircraft included LCDR Robert Frank Meglio, LT Thomas Paul Jones, LTJG Lynn Michael Travis, LTJG Roy Arthur Huss, AXCS Donald Frederick Burnett, AX1 Billy Walker McGhee, AX3 Armando Chapa Jr., AX3 William Farrell Farris, AOC Donald Louis Gallagher, AMH2 Homer Eugene McKay, ADR1 James Clifford Newman Jr. and AE1 Melvin Carl Thompson. As antisubmarine warfare was all but unknown in Vietnam, there were a variety of duties handled by those trained in antisubmarine warfare. The antisubmarine crews were frequently used for search missions and they also sometimes assisted in attacks on small enemy water craft. Shortly after midnight on February 6, 1968 the Orion reported a surface contact. Some two hours later at 0300 hours it reported another contact somewhat further east. The last report received from the Orion was their 0300 hours transmission. They failed to make their 0400 broadcast and no subsequent communication was received. An emergency communication alert for the aircraft was declared shortly after daybreak and a full search and rescue (SAR) operation using aircraft from the 7th Air Force SAR Command based at Tan Son Nhut Airbase along with multiple surface vessels was initiated. In the late afternoon of February 6, 1968 the aircraft’s wreckage was located off the shores of South Vietnam's An Xuyen Province in the Gulf of Siam near the Phu Auoc Island in 100 feet of water approximately 17 miles due west of the coastline at a point near the general area where the last radio transmission was made. The on-scene SAR commander reported finding a partially inflated raft, more than likely ejected upon impact, two bodies, wreckage including wheels in the water. The aircraft debris indicated severe impact and survivor probability was extremely remote, though intensive efforts were expended, no further remains of the aircrew were recovered. The two bodies were recovered and transported to the U.S. military mortuary at Tan Son Nhut where they were subsequently identified as LCDR Robert Frank Meglio and AX1 Billy Walker McGhee. The initial search effort was terminated on February 07, 1968. No evidence was ever found to indicate whether enemy action or mechanical failure caused the crash. Salvage operations were conducted from February 11 through March 21.
Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician 3rd Class William Farrell Farris is honored on the Vietnam Memorial at Panel 37E, Line 55.
Contributor: Bruce Barney (48607679) • [email protected]
Memorial services for William Farris, son of Mrs. Farrell Farris of West Salem, who was one of twelve crewmen aboard a Naval patrol aircraft that went down off the coast of South Vietnam on February 6, will be held Saturday, February 17 at the Walnut Grove church of the Brethren, located east of Parkersburg in Bonpas township. Rev. Phillip Kesler will officiate at the service.
Young Farris, 25, was a son of Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Farris and the late Farrell Farris of West Salem.
He was to have completed his tour of duty on February 20 after four years in the U. S. Navy.
He was a 1961 graduate of the Edwards County Senior High School in Albion and was to have been married shortly after his discharge.
Walnut Grove - Hi, I found the following taken from the Korean War records on file at the National Archives regarding his service. I thought you might like to ‘copy and paste' it to his memorial…
Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician, Third Class Farris had been living in West Salem, IL when he entered the service.
He was a member of Patrol Squadron 26, at U Tapao Airbase, Thailand.
On February 6, 1968, he was a member of the crew of a Lockeed Orion Patrol Bomber (P-3B) over the Gulf of Thailand when contact was lost. His remains were never recovered.
His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
Further information on William:
Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician 3rd Class William Farrell Farris was born on December 15, 1942 . AX3 Farris was the son of Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Farris and the late Farrell Farris of West Salem, Illinois and had 3 years of service in the U.S. Navy arriving in the Vietnam region serving with Patrol Squadron 26 (VP-26), Task Force 72 (TF-72), 7th Fleet out of U-Tapao Royal Thailand Air Force Base, Thailand.
On February 5, 1968, a P-3B “Orion" aircraft (153440) assigned to Patrol Squadron 26 out of U Tapao Tai Navy Airbase, Thailand, with Combat Aircrew 8 onboard left on a "Market Time" shipping surveillance mission over the Gulf of Siam with a scheduled return time of 0900 the following morning, February 6, 1968. The primary object of Operation Market Time was to prevent the enemy from strengthening its forces in South Vietnam through seaborne infiltration of supplies and munitions using smaller junks, sampans, and other craft within South Vietnamese coastal waters. The crew of 12 on board the aircraft included LCDR Robert Frank Meglio, LT Thomas Paul Jones, LTJG Lynn Michael Travis, LTJG Roy Arthur Huss, AXCS Donald Frederick Burnett, AX1 Billy Walker McGhee, AX3 Armando Chapa Jr., AX3 William Farrell Farris, AOC Donald Louis Gallagher, AMH2 Homer Eugene McKay, ADR1 James Clifford Newman Jr. and AE1 Melvin Carl Thompson. As antisubmarine warfare was all but unknown in Vietnam, there were a variety of duties handled by those trained in antisubmarine warfare. The antisubmarine crews were frequently used for search missions and they also sometimes assisted in attacks on small enemy water craft. Shortly after midnight on February 6, 1968 the Orion reported a surface contact. Some two hours later at 0300 hours it reported another contact somewhat further east. The last report received from the Orion was their 0300 hours transmission. They failed to make their 0400 broadcast and no subsequent communication was received. An emergency communication alert for the aircraft was declared shortly after daybreak and a full search and rescue (SAR) operation using aircraft from the 7th Air Force SAR Command based at Tan Son Nhut Airbase along with multiple surface vessels was initiated. In the late afternoon of February 6, 1968 the aircraft’s wreckage was located off the shores of South Vietnam's An Xuyen Province in the Gulf of Siam near the Phu Auoc Island in 100 feet of water approximately 17 miles due west of the coastline at a point near the general area where the last radio transmission was made. The on-scene SAR commander reported finding a partially inflated raft, more than likely ejected upon impact, two bodies, wreckage including wheels in the water. The aircraft debris indicated severe impact and survivor probability was extremely remote, though intensive efforts were expended, no further remains of the aircrew were recovered. The two bodies were recovered and transported to the U.S. military mortuary at Tan Son Nhut where they were subsequently identified as LCDR Robert Frank Meglio and AX1 Billy Walker McGhee. The initial search effort was terminated on February 07, 1968. No evidence was ever found to indicate whether enemy action or mechanical failure caused the crash. Salvage operations were conducted from February 11 through March 21.
Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician 3rd Class William Farrell Farris is honored on the Vietnam Memorial at Panel 37E, Line 55.
Contributor: Bruce Barney (48607679) • [email protected]
Find-A-Grave Contributor, "Lady In Black" made the following contribution to this memorial. It was an article in a local newspaper:
Memorial services for William Farris, son of Mrs. Farrell Farris of West Salem, who was one of twelve crewmen aboard a Naval patrol aircraft that went down off the coast of South Vietnam on February 6, will be held Saturday, February 17 at the Walnut Grove church of the Brethren, located east of Parkersburg in Bonpas township. Rev. Phillip Kesler will officiate at the service.
Young Farris, 25, was a son of Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Farris and the late Farrell Farris of West Salem.
He was to have completed his tour of duty on February 20 after four years in the U. S. Navy.
He was a 1961 graduate of the Edwards County Senior High School in Albion and was to have been married shortly after his discharge.
Walnut Grove - Hi, I found the following taken from the Korean War records on file at the National Archives regarding his service. I thought you might like to ‘copy and paste' it to his memorial…
Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician, Third Class Farris had been living in West Salem, IL when he entered the service.
He was a member of Patrol Squadron 26, at U Tapao Airbase, Thailand.
On February 6, 1968, he was a member of the crew of a Lockeed Orion Patrol Bomber (P-3B) over the Gulf of Thailand when contact was lost. His remains were never recovered.
His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
Further information on William:
Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician 3rd Class William Farrell Farris was born on December 15, 1942 . AX3 Farris was the son of Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Farris and the late Farrell Farris of West Salem, Illinois and had 3 years of service in the U.S. Navy arriving in the Vietnam region serving with Patrol Squadron 26 (VP-26), Task Force 72 (TF-72), 7th Fleet out of U-Tapao Royal Thailand Air Force Base, Thailand.
On February 5, 1968, a P-3B “Orion" aircraft (153440) assigned to Patrol Squadron 26 out of U Tapao Tai Navy Airbase, Thailand, with Combat Aircrew 8 onboard left on a "Market Time" shipping surveillance mission over the Gulf of Siam with a scheduled return time of 0900 the following morning, February 6, 1968. The primary object of Operation Market Time was to prevent the enemy from strengthening its forces in South Vietnam through seaborne infiltration of supplies and munitions using smaller junks, sampans, and other craft within South Vietnamese coastal waters. The crew of 12 on board the aircraft included LCDR Robert Frank Meglio, LT Thomas Paul Jones, LTJG Lynn Michael Travis, LTJG Roy Arthur Huss, AXCS Donald Frederick Burnett, AX1 Billy Walker McGhee, AX3 Armando Chapa Jr., AX3 William Farrell Farris, AOC Donald Louis Gallagher, AMH2 Homer Eugene McKay, ADR1 James Clifford Newman Jr. and AE1 Melvin Carl Thompson. As antisubmarine warfare was all but unknown in Vietnam, there were a variety of duties handled by those trained in antisubmarine warfare. The antisubmarine crews were frequently used for search missions and they also sometimes assisted in attacks on small enemy water craft. Shortly after midnight on February 6, 1968 the Orion reported a surface contact. Some two hours later at 0300 hours it reported another contact somewhat further east. The last report received from the Orion was their 0300 hours transmission. They failed to make their 0400 broadcast and no subsequent communication was received. An emergency communication alert for the aircraft was declared shortly after daybreak and a full search and rescue (SAR) operation using aircraft from the 7th Air Force SAR Command based at Tan Son Nhut Airbase along with multiple surface vessels was initiated. In the late afternoon of February 6, 1968 the aircraft’s wreckage was located off the shores of South Vietnam's An Xuyen Province in the Gulf of Siam near the Phu Auoc Island in 100 feet of water approximately 17 miles due west of the coastline at a point near the general area where the last radio transmission was made. The on-scene SAR commander reported finding a partially inflated raft, more than likely ejected upon impact, two bodies, wreckage including wheels in the water. The aircraft debris indicated severe impact and survivor probability was extremely remote, though intensive efforts were expended, no further remains of the aircrew were recovered. The two bodies were recovered and transported to the U.S. military mortuary at Tan Son Nhut where they were subsequently identified as LCDR Robert Frank Meglio and AX1 Billy Walker McGhee. The initial search effort was terminated on February 07, 1968. No evidence was ever found to indicate whether enemy action or mechanical failure caused the crash. Salvage operations were conducted from February 11 through March 21.
Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician 3rd Class William Farrell Farris is honored on the Vietnam Memorial at Panel 37E, Line 55.
Contributor: Bruce Barney (48607679) • [email protected]
Memorial services for William Farris, son of Mrs. Farrell Farris of West Salem, who was one of twelve crewmen aboard a Naval patrol aircraft that went down off the coast of South Vietnam on February 6, will be held Saturday, February 17 at the Walnut Grove church of the Brethren, located east of Parkersburg in Bonpas township. Rev. Phillip Kesler will officiate at the service.
Young Farris, 25, was a son of Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Farris and the late Farrell Farris of West Salem.
He was to have completed his tour of duty on February 20 after four years in the U. S. Navy.
He was a 1961 graduate of the Edwards County Senior High School in Albion and was to have been married shortly after his discharge.
Walnut Grove - Hi, I found the following taken from the Korean War records on file at the National Archives regarding his service. I thought you might like to ‘copy and paste' it to his memorial…
Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician, Third Class Farris had been living in West Salem, IL when he entered the service.
He was a member of Patrol Squadron 26, at U Tapao Airbase, Thailand.
On February 6, 1968, he was a member of the crew of a Lockeed Orion Patrol Bomber (P-3B) over the Gulf of Thailand when contact was lost. His remains were never recovered.
His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
Further information on William:
Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician 3rd Class William Farrell Farris was born on December 15, 1942 . AX3 Farris was the son of Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Farris and the late Farrell Farris of West Salem, Illinois and had 3 years of service in the U.S. Navy arriving in the Vietnam region serving with Patrol Squadron 26 (VP-26), Task Force 72 (TF-72), 7th Fleet out of U-Tapao Royal Thailand Air Force Base, Thailand.
On February 5, 1968, a P-3B “Orion" aircraft (153440) assigned to Patrol Squadron 26 out of U Tapao Tai Navy Airbase, Thailand, with Combat Aircrew 8 onboard left on a "Market Time" shipping surveillance mission over the Gulf of Siam with a scheduled return time of 0900 the following morning, February 6, 1968. The primary object of Operation Market Time was to prevent the enemy from strengthening its forces in South Vietnam through seaborne infiltration of supplies and munitions using smaller junks, sampans, and other craft within South Vietnamese coastal waters. The crew of 12 on board the aircraft included LCDR Robert Frank Meglio, LT Thomas Paul Jones, LTJG Lynn Michael Travis, LTJG Roy Arthur Huss, AXCS Donald Frederick Burnett, AX1 Billy Walker McGhee, AX3 Armando Chapa Jr., AX3 William Farrell Farris, AOC Donald Louis Gallagher, AMH2 Homer Eugene McKay, ADR1 James Clifford Newman Jr. and AE1 Melvin Carl Thompson. As antisubmarine warfare was all but unknown in Vietnam, there were a variety of duties handled by those trained in antisubmarine warfare. The antisubmarine crews were frequently used for search missions and they also sometimes assisted in attacks on small enemy water craft. Shortly after midnight on February 6, 1968 the Orion reported a surface contact. Some two hours later at 0300 hours it reported another contact somewhat further east. The last report received from the Orion was their 0300 hours transmission. They failed to make their 0400 broadcast and no subsequent communication was received. An emergency communication alert for the aircraft was declared shortly after daybreak and a full search and rescue (SAR) operation using aircraft from the 7th Air Force SAR Command based at Tan Son Nhut Airbase along with multiple surface vessels was initiated. In the late afternoon of February 6, 1968 the aircraft’s wreckage was located off the shores of South Vietnam's An Xuyen Province in the Gulf of Siam near the Phu Auoc Island in 100 feet of water approximately 17 miles due west of the coastline at a point near the general area where the last radio transmission was made. The on-scene SAR commander reported finding a partially inflated raft, more than likely ejected upon impact, two bodies, wreckage including wheels in the water. The aircraft debris indicated severe impact and survivor probability was extremely remote, though intensive efforts were expended, no further remains of the aircrew were recovered. The two bodies were recovered and transported to the U.S. military mortuary at Tan Son Nhut where they were subsequently identified as LCDR Robert Frank Meglio and AX1 Billy Walker McGhee. The initial search effort was terminated on February 07, 1968. No evidence was ever found to indicate whether enemy action or mechanical failure caused the crash. Salvage operations were conducted from February 11 through March 21.
Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Technician 3rd Class William Farrell Farris is honored on the Vietnam Memorial at Panel 37E, Line 55.
Contributor: Bruce Barney (48607679) • [email protected]
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