CAMP EVANS, VIETNAM, (WTAQ) – The group making the Old Glory Honor Flight trip to Vietnam the past couple of weeks is made up primarily of NE Wisconsin Vietnam War veterans.
But they’re not the only ones that make up the party. A Kaukauna doctor, serving as the group physician, has a special job that he’s carrying out.
In addition to keeping everyone in good health, Doctor Gregory Johnson brought something with him. An M-I-A bracelet that was given to him by a patient. Another Vietnam vet.
“When he came back from Vietnam he found M-I-A bracelets and he brought one home for each of his siblings.”
The name on this bracelet is Jimmy Watson, missing since his helicopter went down.
“In March of 68, he and ten other gentlemen were on a helicopter, within just a few miles from here, and were shot down.”
Some on board managed to make it to safety. Jimmy Watson was never heard from again.
Doctor Johnson has a special marker in memory of him and will bury it in his honor.
“We were given challenge coins to place at places of our own discretion. And I just buried his challenge coin here, behind us, where I think we’re just a few miles from where Mr. Watson died.”
Follow the stories, interviews, pictures, and videos of this Old Glory Honor Flight over the next few weeks by the checking out the ‘Return To Vietnam’ hub at wtaq.co.
The veterans return to Menasha High School from their Vietnam trip Saturday, March 9th. The public is invited to their welcome home celebration, with the doors opening at 5 pm.
