27 January 2008
They Gave Charlie a Note
Above is a copy of the note that MSgt. Charlie Jones received from a Hmong villager or a Thai mercenary (the details are still sketchy) in northern Laos regarding a dead American pilot who was found. Transcribed on the note was what appeared on the dog tags of the dead pilot. Jones urged that the body be recovered and brought to him. But to no avail the villagers would not budge due to the high enemy presence. All Charlie had was the note with “INTA ER ROBERT BORN 1941.”
It took a month before villagers could dig up the already decomposing body and make it to a safe place. Jones was notified by a radio call that a “package” was awaiting for him, and upon flying into the village there in fact was a make-shift gurney with a body inside. Eventually the dead airman would exchange hands a few times before coming home - landing a Udorn RTAFB, Thailand where it was transported to Clark AB, Philippines, for autopsy and identification.
Charlie never learned who the airman was in the dashing events of a “secret war”, but Charlie held onto the note until 28 years later when a student of his made a connection.
Tags: charlie jones, laos, Lt Hunter, note
