Name: Randolph Allen Perry, Jr.
Rank/Branch: Lt.Colonel USAF
Date of Birth: 17 June 1937
Unit:
Home City of Record: Troy MT
Loss Date: 20 December 1972
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 210500N 1055900E
Status (in 1973): Missing In Action
Category: 2
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: B52
Other Personnel In
Incident: William U. Acuri; Terry M. Geloneck; Paul L.
Granger; Thomas J. Klomann (all returned POWs
from B52, coordinates 210500N 1055900E); Roy
Madden Jr.; Michael R. Martini (returned POWs from B52, coordinates 211000N
1054500E); Craig A. Paul; Warren R. Spencer (remains returned from B52,
coordinates 210459N 1053958E); Arthur McLaughlin; Irwin S. Lerner; John F.
Stuart (all missing from B52, coordinates 210500N 1055900E)
Remarks: POSS KIA - TWO ON CREW REL PWS
SYNOPSIS:
Randolph A. Perry, Jr. was aboard a B52 shot down by a Surface to
Air (SAM) missile over Hanoi on December 20, 1972. His B52 was one of many
involved in the successful "Christmas Bombings" of Hanoi that finally
convinced the Vietnamese to sit at the peace table.
There were a total of 12 men missing in close proximity to each other from B52 aircraft on December 20. It is unclear which men were together on any given plane, although it seems clear that the four missing were on the same plane as Madden and Martini, as Defense Department notes that two men were released from Lerner and Perry's plane. The total number listed exceeds a normal B52 crew capacity, which is six. Perry was in a flight of three B52s over Hanoi that day. The fate of all three planes is uncertain.
One thing that amazed analysts about the B52 bombers that were shot down over Hanoi during this period was the high survival rate of the crewmembers. Many more were returned as POWs than was expected. The B52s that were shot down were downed in extremely hostile territory with little or no chance of rescue.
Unfortunately, it does not appear that all the prisoners were returned in 1973 at the end of the war. Since 1975, thousands of reports have been received by the U.S. Government relating to Americans still alive in captivity. Experts in the U.S. Government have stated they believe they are being held. The question then, is no longer whether or not they are alive, but who are they, and how can we bring them home? And is one of them Randolph Perry?
