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Casualty Occurrence: CRASHED ON PHOU PHA MOUNTAIN while piloting a OV-1C 64-14242. 48 KM NORTHWEST OF PAKSANE, LAOS 16OCT1969.
Other Comments:
POSTED BY: DEBORAH TRIMBLE. POW BRACELET - STILL HAVE IT. I have kept the POW bracelet I received for Capt. Lawrence Booth and always wondered what happened to him. I was going through some old jewelry and came across the bracelet again and wondered if google would help solve that mystery. I am saddened to hear that he was never recovered. I thank him for his service and sacrifice, and offer sympathy to his family at his loss. I will remember them in my prayers.
POSTED BY: WANDA WALLACE. IN MEMORY OF UNCLE RANDY. Honoring my uncle�??s service and his memory 49 years after the loss. He was the best family man and uncle. I remember riding on the back of his motorcycle as a little girl, family trips to the beach, crabfeasts, and his constant smile and ready laughter. He was an inspiration and much loved by all. Missing you.
POSTED BY: LONNIE KASPERBAUER. CLASSMATE AND DEAR FRIEND. Randy was a classmate of mine in the fixed wing aviator class 69-4. When we moved from Ft. Stewart, GA to Ft. Rucker, AL in 1969 Randy, his wife Cheryl and their young daughter (I cannot remember her name) lived next to us in the mobile home court in Enterprise, AL. Their little daughter would come over to "visit" us often. There were only five of us officers in that class and we did many things together. I was deeply saddened when I heard of Randy's disappearance as we had just arrived in country in May of 1969. I hope Cheryl and that young (now would be around 47) daughter are doing well. Thank you for this site.
EVERY DAY STILL. I have been looking for someplace to leave a message for this brave young mans family. My mother purchased 4 POW/MIA bracelets for herself and three of her children when this awful war was going on. I have the honor of Capt. Lawrence Booth. I put it on when I was just 11 years old and have not taken it off yet at the age of 54. I think of him quite often and pray that some day he will be home. I pray you, his family has found peace. There is no way to thank him for his service but through you. It is because of this bracelet and Maj. Booth that I have so much respect for all our men and women who serve. I will fly my American Flag and my POW/MIA Flag every day in his honor. I would also welcome any family to email me if they would like. Thank you does not say enough. Lisa.....lack2@MSN.com.
FINAL MISSION OF CAPT LAWRENCE R. BOOTH. CAPT Lawrence R. Booth was the pilot and SP4 Dennis M. Rattin the observer aboard an OV-1 Mohawk aircraft assigned a surveillance mission over hostile territory on October 16, 1969. (NOTE: records vary as to the model OV-1 Booth and Rattin were on. Defense and JCRC records record the C model, and U.S. Army records the B model. Both were equipped for night surveillance, the B using side-looking radar, and the C using infrared detection equipment). The aircraft departed its base in late evening on October 16, and was to return later that night. The mission was tracked on radar to its mission area, but at about 1015 hours, the pilot radioed that he was returning to base.
That was the last contact received from the aircraft. The location of the mission Rattin and Booth were assigned to is classified, as are their complete files relating to the loss incident. The coordinates given for Booth locate the loss in Borikhane Province, Laos near the Nam Nhiep River, and about 70 miles northeast of the capitol city of Vientane. His coordinates are fairly specific. Rattin's coordinates are generalized, but also place the loss in the same 70 miles radius of Vientiane, only north northeast, and in Xiangkhoang Province, Laos. Rattin's coordinates place the loss only about 30 miles south of the Plain of Jars, a region heavily infiltrated by communist troops. It is plausible that their mission was over this highly contested and "hot" area. There are many possibilities as to the reason this plane was in south central Laos. This was not the normal area of operations for the 131st, and while many of its aircraft were lost in Laos, most were lost along the eastern edge of the country. Their primary arena of operations were in I Corps (the northernmost five Provinces of South Vietnam). Full scale searches were conducted the next day for Booth and Rattin and their aircraft, but with no results. The two were classified missing in action. [Narrative taken from pownetwork.org)
POSTED BY: WANDA. MISSING UNCLE RANDY. A favorite uncle who had a lasting impact on the lives he touched. His legacy continues to touch others. Thank God for your service and sacrifice.
POSTED BY: MURIEL BOOTH AUGUSTUS (NIECE). REMEMBERING YOU. In remembrance of my Uncle, Lawrence Randolph Booth, affectionately known as Randy by his family: while it has been many years since you were lost to us in body, you were never lost to us in spirit. We continue to miss you and will always love you.
POSTED ON 9.8.2010. MY UNCLE. How I remember the day my mom (Randy's sister) was crying when I arrive home from school. If you would like to see a pic of Randy - military folks called him Larry - check out my facebook page. I have another pic of him and his wife i need to upload. I have the medals including the Purple Heart in a shadow box that I had Michael's to make after dad and mom (my grandparents died). Laverne McGary, neice
