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On 13 May 1969 1LT Bessor flew an O-1G (tail number 51-16959) on a radio relay mission in support of a Special Forces reconnaissance team operatingin the SVN/Laos border area. He was accompanied by SFC Mike J. Scott from Cammand and Control Central, MACV-SOG, the headquarters which was running the recon operation. At about 0800 the recon team held radio contact with 1LT Bessor's aircraft and could hear aircraft engine noise southwest of their position. They then heard 15 rounds of 37mm antiaircraft fire and engine sputtering. While they did not hear sounds of a crash, they did lose radio contact with the aircraft. Shortly thereafter they heard heavy rifle fire from the same direction. Airborne seach and rescue efforts were hampered by cloud cover and enemy fire. On May 18 a ground unit was able to search the area but found nothing. On conclusion of the SAR effort the two men were classified as Missing in Action. The men remained in MIA status until the Secretary of the Army approved Presuptive Findings of Death( and posthumous promotions) for them - Caption Bessor on 10 Nov. 1976 and MSgt Scott on 24 Aug 1978. Their remains have not been repatriated.
This Soldier has an (IMO) In Memory Of Headstone in Arlington National Cemetery, Memorial Section H.
Don Stock, Childhood neighbor PO., Box, 7945, Charlottesville, VA., 22906, Hi Bruce. I grew up, 2, houses down, from you and was 8, years younger, than you. You were one, of the nicest big kids, that I knew. We used, to play, chicken fights and I always, put my hands, over your eyes. I'm sorry, you had, to die, so young. I miss you. Thanks, for your service!
Cindy Sorenson, Atlantic, IA., 50022, Virginia's POW/MIA's. http://wolfhawke81.webs.com/index.html
You, are not forgotten! I had this site up, on angelfire, for 10, years and am now moving it, to wolfhawke81.webs.com/index.html. There is also a link, on Captain, Bessor's second page, to a memorial, garden, where anyone can, pick a flower (it starts as a pot, grows and blooms, in 28 days) to leave, for any, or all of the people, on this site! You will, long be remembered, Capt., Bessor!
Mike McCaffrey Childhood Friend 119, Pine St., Days Creek, OR., 97429, A long, over due, 'Hello"
Hey Bruce... I first, found out about your MIA., on a Memorial Day, while watching TV. The Wall was being scanned, by the TV., camera and stopped/centered, on your name. Then I, remembered your Dad was in, the television industry. Needless to say, it saddened me. A Vietnam, Vet., myself, the last thing I needed, was to see another loss, especially someone close. I will keep in tact, the memories of us riding, our bikes, together and just, being kids. Your were, a funny, little dude and made me, laugh, but then, we can talk about all, that, when I see, you again. God Bless, Mike.
Tom(Ski) Waskovich Friend - Flew VR's., with Bruce) 149, Fox Hollow Dr., Lanoka Harbor, NJ., 08734, Not Forgotten Buce's sacrifice, is not forgotten, by former SF., or SPAF.. Saturday, July 01, 2000
Description This campaign was from 23 February to 8 June 1969. From Tet 1969 through the month of June, the enemy again tried to sustain an offensive. His inability to do so can be largely attributed to aggressive allied ground operations. Between 23 February and 8 June 1969, a total of 70 significant named ground operations were terminated resulting in heavy enemy loss of life and materiel. The main operations concluded during this period were:
(1). The 3d Marine Division's Operation KENTUCKY aimed at preventing enemy infiltration through the Demilitarized Zone in central Quang Tri Province. Throughout the early part of January 1969, Viet Cong/North Vietnamese Army forces continued to avoid major contacts with Free World Forces. Their continual movement to avoid friendly forces or to search for food and supplies contributed to a decrease in the enemy-initiated ground attacks and attacks-by-fire in Quang Tri Province.
(2). Operation NEVADA EAGLE, initiated on 17 May 1968 in Thua Thien Province, continued in 1969 as the U.S. 101st Airborne Division continued to defeat enemy personnel, and capture rice caches, material, and installations within its large area of operations, where it undertook offensive sweeps along Route 547 and around Song Bo.
(3). Two battalions of the 4th Marine Regiment were engaged in Operation SCOTLAND II. Initiated on 15 April 1968, this multi-battalion search and clear operation was centered in and around Khe Sanh.
(4). The IV Corps Tactical Zone Dry Weather Campaign began on 1 December 1968 in support of the overall mission to prevent Viet Cong units from interfering with pacification efforts. This operation, "Speedy Express," interdicted lines of enemy communication and denied him the use of base areas. In 1969 the 1st Brigade, 9th U.S. Infantry Division continued the operation in Dinh Tuong Province, using its highly successful night ambush tactics while the 2d Brigade continued its mission with the Mobile Riverine Force. Although engagements in Operation SPEEDY EXPRESS were typically small, the 9th Infantry Division fought several sizeable engagements with impressive results.
On 23 February U.S. Navy units and installations at Da Nang, Tan An, Ben Luc, Go Dan Ha, and Tra Cu came under numerous and widespread attacks associated with a new enemy offensive, but since many units in these areas were poised to meet these attacks they caused only minimal damage. April saw the heaviest cumulative enemy activity in the barrier interdiction camapign to date.
