This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Richard Buell, CDR
to remember
Buell, Kenneth Richard, CDR.
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
In June, 1972, USS America (CVA 66) rounded Cape Horn and joined the 7th Fleet in Southeast Asia, relieving USS Coral Sea. It suddenly had mechanical problems requiring it to return to Subic Bay, but commenced combat operations at Yankee Station on 9 August 72.
Onboard were various aviation units, including VA-35 - the 'Black Panthers' of attack squadron 35 with their A-6 Intruders. The Grumman A-6 was a 2-man, all weather, carrier-based attack jet. Equipped with a sophisticated navigation and attack system, it could hone in on small objects (bridges, barracks, fuel depots) in all types of weather.
On 17 Sept 72, CDR Verne Donnelly (pilot) and LCDR Kenneth Buell launched from America on a routine combat mission over the vicinity of Hai Duong, North Vietnam. As their aircraft was about 8 miles west of the city, it was assumed that they were shot down - and both declared Missing in Action.
Neither was acknowledged by the North Vietnamese as captured, and they did not return in the POW release of 1973. On 05 Feb 1991, the U.S. announced that remains returned by the Vietnamese had been positively identified as those of Verne G. Donnelly; after 25 years, he was finally home. As of 31 July 2006, Ken Buell still is missing.
Other Comments:
A note from Commander Rick Buell, SC, USN, son of LCDR Ken Buell:
My dad was born in Louisville, KY 24 Aug 1939 as the only child of Louis & Libby Buell of Xenia, OH & later on Yellow Springs Ohio.
He was a Son of the American Revolution & entered naval service enlisting on 12 May 1958 and training at RTC Great Lakes 28 July - 12 Sep 1958.
