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Tommy Burgdorf (Birddog), FC2
to remember
Balisteri, Cody Allen, LTJG.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Sheffield Lake, OH
Last Address Sheffield Lake, OH
Casualty Date Oct 26, 1966
Cause Non Hostile- Died Other Causes
Reason Other Cause
Location Tonkin Gulf
Conflict Vietnam War
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
3 distinct Navy squadrons have called themselves ‘Sundowners’. The U.S. Navy frequently has given the same designation to two or more aviation units, leading to lasting confusion. Officially, the US Navy does not recognize a direct lineage with disestablished squadrons if a new squadron is formed with the same designation.[1] Often, the new squadron will assume the nickname, insignia, and traditions of the earlier squadrons.
In 1985, VF-111 was one of several NAS Miramar based squadrons to participate in the filming of the film Top Gun. Some VF-111 and VF-51 aircraft were repainted in fictitious squadron markings for the film. To be able to film the sequences, the F-14s were fitted with cameras mounted in pods attached to the underbelly Phoenix pallets and the under wing pylons, as well as using ground mounted cameras. Also, one of the fictional RIOs in the film, played by Clarence Gilyard, uses the callsign "Sundown" and wears a VF-111 styled helmet and squadron patch on his flight suit.
VF-111 made seven Viet Nam combat cruises since 1964, flying over 12,500 missions over North and South Viet Nam, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. In 1967-68 the squadron sent a detachment, OMAR's ORPHANS,to USS INTREPID's Air Wing TEN to provide fighter escort for the attack and photo aircraft embarked. A SUN DOWNER from the 1968 Det scored the Navy's 19th CRUSADER MIG kill when Lt, Tony Nargi shot down a MIG-21. In addition to numerous individual citations, FITRON ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN earned the Navy Unit Commendation for seven deployments, and the Meritorious Unit Citations for the 1969 cruise aboard USS TICONDEROGA.
