This Fallen Navy Profile is not currently maintained by any Member.
If you would like to take responsibility for researching and maintaining this Fallen profile please click
HERE
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)
Attention! The dates you selected for being assigned to this Unit are outside the 1970 to 1994 we believe this Unit was in existence. Can you please re-check your dates and click HERE if you wish to amend these? If you believe your Unit was in existence during your selected dates, please let us know at admin@togetherweserved.com.
The Fighter Squadron VF-202 Superheats was an aviation unit of the United States Naval Reserve based at Naval Air Station Dallas, Texas (USA). It was established in 1970 as part of Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 (CVWR-20) and disestablished in 1994. During its service VF-202 could be identified by the tail code "AF-2XX".VF-202 was established on the 1 July 1970 out of reserve fighter squadron VF-53D2.
Later the squadron was upgraded to the F-4S. Eleven years later VF-202 transitioned to the Grumman F-14A Tomcat, receiving their first aircraft on 27 March 1987. Due to the squadron's reserve status the transition took longer than for an active unit, not being concluded until May 1988, when VF-202 carrier qualified with their new planes on board the aircraft carrier USS America (CV-66).
A VF-202 F-4S making the last landing of a U.S. Navy F-4 aboard a carrier on 18 October 1986.
VF-202 F-14 tail markings
VF-202 was equipped with two TARPS Pods (Tactical Aerial Recon Pod System) giving the squadron an extra task after the North American RA-5C Vigilante and RF-8G Crusader had been phased out. 1988 saw the squadron take part in the Reconnaissance Air Meet at Bergstrom AFB, Texas, along with several other F-14 squadrons, including VF-124. Even with the force reduction after the end of the Cold War and continuing budget cuts one would have expected that the TARPS capable squadron would not be disestablished. However, due to the high airframe time of VF-202's F-14s had, it was decided to disestablish VF-202 and make their F14 sister squadron VF-201 TARPS capable. VF202 was accordingly disestablished on 31 December 1994 and its aircraft redistributed to active duty F-14 squadrons.
Squadron Awards
Naval Reserve Tailhook Squadron of the Year ~ 1981
Noel Davis Battle "E" Award ~ 1981, 1982, 1985, 1989
Chief of Naval Operations Safety "S" Award ~1981, 1984, 1987, 1990
CVWR-20 Retention Excellence Award ~ 1988, 1989 1992
Meritorious Unit Commendation ~ 1988, 1989
COMNAVAIRESFOR "Readiness through Safety Award" ~1989
Worldwide Reconnaissance Air Meet (RAM) Best Navy/Marine Corps Team ~ 1990
In 1994 VF202 received the highest CWTPI score in COMFITWINGLANT history. As cited by inspectors as "the most professional squadron ever observed".