born December 26, 1934 Hartselle, Morgan County, Alabama, USA
died (shot down) February 16, 1971 (aged 36) near Ban Dakyon, Laos
memorial - Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii, USA
* A structure erected in honor of someone whose remains lie elsewhere.
memorial - Hartselle City Cemetery
Findagrave link for Honolulu memorial
Findagrave link for Roselawn marker
Togetherweserved link
home of record - Hartselle, AL
parents - William and Ollie Mae Williams Pattillo
University of Alabama
MOS - 1115F: Pilot, Tactical Fighter (F-4 Phantom II, various models)
Unit - 497TH Tactical Fighter Squadron, 8TH TAC FTR WING, 7TH AF
From POWnetwork.org
F-4
The Phantom, used by Air Force, Marine and Navy air wings, served
a multitude of functions including fighter-bomber and interceptor, photo and
electronic surveillance. The two man aircraft was extremely fast (Mach 2),
and had a long range (900 - 2300 miles, depending on stores and mission
type). The F4 was also extremely maneuverable and handled well at low and
high altitudes. Most pilots considered it one of the "hottest" planes
around.
Incident Date: 02/16/1971
Casualty Date: 06/21/1978 (officially declared)
I am an American Airman.
I am a Warrior.
I have answered my Nation’s call.
I am an American Airman.
My mission is to Fly, Fight, and Win.
I am faithful to a Proud Heritage,
A Tradition of Honor,
And a Legacy of Valor.
I am an American Airman.
Guardian of Freedom and Justice,
My Nation’s Sword and Shield,
Its Sentry and Avenger.
I defend my Country with my Life.
I am an American Airman.
Wingman, Leader, Warrior.
I will never leave an Airman behind,
I will never falter,
And I will not fail.
Lieutenant Colonel Pattillo was a member of the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ubon Airfield, Thailand. On February 16, 1971, he was the pilot of a McDonnell Douglas Phantom II Fighter (F-4D) on a mission near Ban Dakyon, Laos, where his aircraft was shot down. His remains were not recovered.
Lieutenant Colonel Pattillo was a member of the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ubon Airfield, Thailand.
On February 16, 1971, he was the pilot of a McDonnell Douglas Phantom II Fighter (F-4D) on a mission near Ban Dakyon, Laos, where his aircraft was shot down.
His remains were not recovered.
His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. **
Maj. Ralph N. Pattillo was the pilot and 1Lt. Charles L. Hoskins the weapons/systems officer of an F4D fighter bomber from the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron based at Ubon Airbase, Thailand. At 1930 hours on February 16, 1971, the two were sent on a combat mission over Laos.
During the mission, the aircraft was shot down less than a mile from Ban Dakyon, Laos, an area which was then under control of North Vietnamese forces. Because of heavy enemy forces on the ground, ground search was impossible. Air search efforts failed to produce evidence of the downed
plane or the two officers, and the search was terminated.
A report given to his parents stated that it was possible that either Hoskins or Pattillo may have been able to successfully eject from the plane in the darkness, and that it was possible that one or both could have been captured.
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| US Air Force Pilot |
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| Air force Lt. Colonel |
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| 7th Air Force |
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| 8th Tactical Fighter Wing |
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| 8th Tactical Fighter Wing Wolf Pack |
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| The 497 Night Owls |
Lieutenant Colonel Pattillo may have received these badges and medals
★ Purple Heart
★ United States Aviator Badge
★ National Defense Service Medal
★ Vietnam Campaign Medal
★ Vietnam Service Medal
★ Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
★ Vietnam Gallantry Cross
★ Air Force Good Conduct Medal
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| Courts of the Missing Memorial in Hawaii |
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| Hartselle City Cemetery marker |
Find Lt. Col. Pattillo's name on the Vietnam Memorial Wall
Read more about the battle for freedom
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