Page 46 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2020-1

“Cleared In Hot!” (Cont’d.)
The Night a FAC was Awarded the DFC By Mark Carlson
In addition to the jets, Calamos’ call brought in one of the truly remarkable aircraft of the Vietnam War. Nicknamed with typical American humor as “Spooky” and “Puff the Magic Dragon,” the AC-47 was the ultimate gunship up to that time. Converted C-47 transports, designated the AC-47, carried three 7.62 mm General Electric rotary miniguns mounted in the left side cargo door and two windows. Each gun had six rotating barrels like a Gatling gun, and was able to fire between 2,000 to 6,000 rounds per minute from a 5,000-round belt.
They often carried a combat load of 24,000
rounds. The pilot controlled the guns as he peered
through crosshairs on his left-side window. The plane circled in what is known as a counter-clockwise “pylon turn” in which the pilot was able to keep the stream of hot lead aimed in a cone of fire at an area about the size of a football field. Ground fire and mortar explosions gave the pilot a clear aiming point. At night the tracers looked like orange laser beams, making aim even easier. The steady stream of bullets literally tore through the foliage, leaving death and carnage wherever it touched. With such concentrated firepower, it is no wonder that the NVA troops suffered heavy casualties on the night of 28 September.
“I was in the air over the fight for about four hours,” Calamos said. “Near the end of the mission, a lot of tracers came right at me, so I knew enemy forces still remained. I climbed for the low clouds until I could descend for another look.”
After four solid hours of orbiting over the fight and calling in every air asset that could be of help, Calamos was relieved and flew back to Da Nang. His night’s efforts were not in vain. The camp was secured later that day when two battalions of the Seventh Marines came in and drove the NVA back. It had been a long and bloody fight. At least 68 NVA were killed in direct assaults on the camp, while hundreds more were killed in the air strikes.
The FACs and Air Force had played a major role in protecting the camp and the sector from being overrun. Captain John Calamos’ night on the front line was not unusual for a FAC, but it had been enough for him to be awarded the DFC.
USAF AC-47 “Spooky” Gunship with three Gatling Guns that could fire 2,000 to 6,000 Rounds Per Minute.
Massive Firepower Seen in 1968 Time Lapse Photo of AC-47 Gunship Defending Ton Son Nhut Air Base.
SUMMER 2020 / DFCS News Magazine / 46