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Casualty Info
Home Town Tishomingo, OK
Last Address Tishomingo, OK
Casualty Date Nov 06, 1972
Cause MIA-Finding of Death
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Land
Location Vietnam, North (Vietnam)
Conflict Vietnam War
Location of Interment Troy Cemetery - Troy, Oklahoma
Wall/Plot Coordinates 01W 089
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
Note: Promoted while in MIA status to Commander
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Not Recorded
Incident Date: 11/06/1972
Casualty Date: 03/23/1978
TOLBERT, CLARENCE ORFIELD Remains Returned November 3, 1988
Commander Clarence O. Tolbert was a pilot assigned to Attack Squadron 56 onboard the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY. On November 6, 1972, Tolbert launched in his A7B "Corsair" in a flight of two on a reconnaissance mission into Nghe An Province, North Vietnam. The aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire in the starboard wing during the mission. Commander Tolbert immediately turned the aircraft towards the coast (the favored evasion route), just as it caught fire. The fire went out within seconds but the aircraft continued to stream fuel. Within 1 1/2 miles from the coast the flight controls apparently froze and the aircraft impacted the ground in a flat spin. Tolbert's wingman observed the aircraft from the time it was hit until impact with the ground and observed no ejection or parachute. No radio communication was established during the whole episode. An active search and rescue effort was discontinued due to lack of visual or voice contact. An article appeared in the November 15, 1972 edition of Nhan Dan newspaper in Hanoi which stated that the Vietnamese forces had shot down a U.S. aircraft on that date and that the pilot ejected but the parachute did not open.
Comments/Citation:
Distinguished Flying Cross Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Clarence Orfield Tolbert (NSN: 0-659511/1310), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 7 July 1966 as a pilot in Attack Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN (VA-216), embarked in U.S.S. HANCOCK (CVA-19). While flying as wingman in the last division of aircraft, Lieutenant Tolbert demonstrated outstanding courage and determination in the face of heavy enemy opposition during a coordinated attack against the heavily-defended POL facility at Haiphong, North Vietnam. He executed a well-coordinated and perfectly timed attack through an intense barrage of enemy anti-aircraft fire, scoring several direct hits. His exceptional bombing accuracy under the most difficult and hazardous conditions was responsible for the destruction of a large pump house and extensive damage to several oil storage tanks, thus contributing significantly to the overall extraordinary success of this mission. Lieutenant Tolbert's heroic actions and exceptional airmanship were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Action Date: July 7, 1966 Service: Navy Rank: Lieutenant Company: Attack Squadron 216 Division: U.S.S. Hancock (CVA-19)
Silver Star Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Clarence Orfield Tolbert (NSN: 0-659511/1310), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 1 May 1966 as a pilot in Attack Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTEEN (VA-216), embarked in USS HANCOCK (CVA-19), during a strike against an enemy surface-to-air missile site in North Vietnam. Lieutenant Tolbert provided essential intelligence regarding the location of the missile site and its defenses, voluntarily piloted his aircraft as the strike leader's wingman and deliberately exposed himself to a missile firing in order to determine the exact location of the launching site. In the face of an intense barrage of medium antiaircraft fire, he made repeated bombing attacks on the site, inflicting heavy damage to several missile launchers. When his aircraft was severely crippled by two successive multiple-round antiaircraft bursts, Lieutenant Tolbert displayed unusual resourcefulness and exceptional airmanship in bringing the aircraft aboard ship to a safe landing using emergency manual flight controls. His courageous actions and outstanding performance in the face of intense enemy fire reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. Action Date: May 1, 1966 Service: Navy Rank: Lieutenant Company: Attack Squadron 216 (VA-216) Division: U.S.S. Hancock (CVA-19)
Worst Moment Smokey had been a Blue Angel solo pilot but was diagnosed with TB. The medication prevented his continuance doing something he most obviously loved and had generated recognition that he was one of the best-of-the-best. The diagnosis proved wrong, but Smokey left the Navy and went to fly for the airlines. He came back in ? I would submit for love of the game and the people who "played it." That's who he was, and that's who they were ? love of the game, love of the people who loved to fly, people who offered up their lives. Had fun they did, but they knew the possibilities flying off of aircraft carriers day and night.
Other Memories Service as a flight demonstration pilot with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, flying the F11F-1 Tiger, from February to December 1968
