F-111 JET DEDICATED IN HENDERSON PARK SUNDAY AFTERNOON

  

A large crowd braved the cold and rainy weather Sunday afternoon to attend the dedication of the F-111 fighter/bomber at Henderson Park.  The Vietnam era jet was restored by local veterans and volunteers and will be on permanent display directly across from the American Legion Hall in Brenham.  Due to the weather, the program began inside at the Hall and moved to the jet for the actual dedication and the unveiling of a plaque that honors the ten F-111 crewmembers who were killed in action in Vietnam.

On hand for the ceremony were Capt. Robert Sponeybarger and 1st Lt. Bill Wilson, who were shot down in their F-111 near Hanoi in 1972.  They successfully ejected from the jet, but were captured by North Vietnam forces and held as POWs until the end of the war.  The F-111 on display in Brenham bears the tail number of their jet that went down in Vietnam.  The two were also honored with their names being painted on each side of the cockpit of the jet.

Plaque honoring the ten F-111 crewmembers killed in action in Vietnam is unveiled Sunday.
F-111 Weapons Systems Officer Bill Wilson removes the tape to reveal his name on the side of the cockpit.
F-111 Pilot Capt. Robert Sponeybarger reveals his name painted on the left side of the jet.
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