Induction into Vietnam – An Airman’s Perspective

Join us as we welcome David A. Mangan, Veteran Service Officer from the Town of Wakefield, Massachusetts.  Mr. Mangan served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War from 1969 – 1970.

Drafted right out of high school in 1968, he enlisted in the Air Force due to his prior involvement with the Civil Air Patrol.  This experience allowed him to direct his team in Vietnam to successful missions.

As a Jet aircraft mechanic specialist on the F-105 Thunderchief, Mr. Mangan performed maintenance as a crew chief on three aircraft that were nuclear strike bombers during the Vietnam War from a remote base along the Cambodian Border in Thailand and in the central highlands of Thailand.

He was promoted rapidly to staff sergeant at the age of 19 and he was responsible for turning aircraft around for missions within 12 hours. The combat support from Thailand was Secret and virtually unknown to the American theatre. The United States lost over 325 F-105 aircraft from Thailand alone, and the majority of the prisoners from downed aircraft were pilots from these bases.

Mr. Mangan will share his personal experiences of the Vietnam War and share personal photos from his service during his presentation.  He dedicates his presentation to his best friend, Michael Guzzetti, a U.S. Marine who was killed just a few weeks after his arrival at Quang Nam province while on patrol in Vietnam.

Today, Mr. Mangan is active in providing navigational direction for Veteran Benefits for Veterans from WWII to Afghanistan.  To read Mr. Mangan’s complete bio, please click here >>

Tickets
$20 Nonmembers
$15 Members, Seniors (65+), Military & Veterans

Parking & Accessibility
Public parking is available in gravel lot located next to the Homestead. There is an incline to walk from the parking lot to the Homestead. We regret that at this time, the Archives and the Homestead are not fully handicapped accessible. Restrooms are available within the Homestead.