Frederick Jordan Hampton

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on August 29, 2004:

Frederick Jordan Hampton Born July 16, 1927 - Died March 6, 1968 Frederick Jordan Hampton distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with the military operations against an opposing armed force as Aircraft Commander near Khe Sanh, Republic of Vietnam, on 6 March, 1968. The Silver Star citation reads: "Colonel Hampton led his flight in support of friendly ground forces engaged in defense of their beleaguered outpost. Despite the continuous threat from intense hostile fire, Colonel Hampton's leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of the commitments of the United States in Southeast Asia." Fred was killed along with his crew, one civilian photographer, and forty-four Marines when the C-123 transport plane, he commanded, was hit at 4,000 feet by hostile fire and crashed in dense jungle. He was born on 16 July 1927, at Gainesville, Florida, the son of the late Frederick J. Hampton and the late Alice McNair Taylor. As a boy, he led an active outdoor life. He attended the University of Florida for two years and joined the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. About this time he set his sights on being in the United States Air Force. Fred started his profession on 1 July 1947, when he entered West Point. Fred knew from the beginning that the Air Force was his goal, and he gauged his academic and military efforts to that end. He accomplished a great many other things along the way. He was one of our top-notchers in gym on the high bar until a bad fall broke an arm. He was the anomalous Floridian who performed so well in the ski club. He served as a chapel usher his first class year, also in that year was appointed a Cadet Lieutenant. But there is more. There is mention in the Howitzer of the Harmonicazzo Five, of the Universal Ukes, and other activities by which cadets of "the Lostest of the Lost fifties" bound themselves to one another. Fred was a generator of these doings. His interest in these forms of fellowship characterizes him as an essentially generous man. The testimony to his generosity was a series of furloughs on which his classmates accompanied him to is home in Gainesville. That comradeship is not forgotten. After graduation, Fred attended pilot and combat crew training at Spence, Vance, Randolph, and Forbes AFB's. In 1953 he was assigned to the 307 BW at Kadena AFB where he was awarded the Air Medal while flying B-29's over Korea. In late 1953, he joined the 305 BW at MacDill AFB where he met Katherine Anne Hawkins. They were married 1 May 1954, and moved shortly thereafter to Barksdale AFB and Hamilton AFB. After a short tour at Aerial Observer School in 1955-56 at Connally AFB, Fred and Anne returned to MacDill where Fred served for two years as a B-47 pilot with SAC's 305 BW. In April 1958, he received the choice assignment of his career. At the Air Force Academy he distinguished himself by meritorious achievements as Air Officer Commanding, 3d Squadron, the Air Force Cadet Wing. He was quite proud, and justly so, when his 3d Squadron was designated "honor Squadron" of the Class of 1959, the first graduating class of the Air Force Academy. Fred's assignment at the Air Force Academy was his favorite and the high-light of his career, he appreciated working with "the finest young men in the world." In 1961-62, Fred attended Command and Staff School at Maxwell AFB and in 1962-63, the Attache chool at Fort Belvoir. From January 1964 through June 1967, he was Assistant Air Attache Venezuela. A fitting tribute was paid by the members of the Aero-club of Caracas when they dedicated a page of their magazine to him. The memorial read in part: "The painful notice of his death was unpleasant news for the pilots of the Aero-club of Caracas who had learned to love the congenial North American friend of Venezuela. We in Venezuela, far from that war, are only able to mourn the death of our friend." His decorations were numerous. They included the Air Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one BOLC, Distinguished Unit Citation, Korean Service Medal with two BSS, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Award Ribbon with three oak leaf clusters. For service in Vietnam he received the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon and the Vietnam Service Medal. By direction of the President, Fred received the Purple Heart, the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Bronze Star Medal. His last commanding officer stated it well when he wrote: "It is difficult to accept Fred's absence as anything but temporary. His strength of character, skill as a pilot, and engaging personality all insure that he will be long and warmly remembered by all of us fortunate to have known him." Fred is survived by is wife Anne and four children, Tracy Anne, Ellen McNair, Frederick Jordan, Jr., and James Duncan. Click to find out what makes Fly Boys tick Air Force Values ufa

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