A Raleigh resident, I entered NCSU following graduation from Needham B. Broughton High School in 1960. With that old “college prep” diploma, I was ready to take on the world! Pledged Delta Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Chi in the fall of that year, and served as President of my pledge class which was by all standards…the best ever! Later I would also have the personal privilege to hold the position of Consul during my senior year, 1964.

Earned my BS-Textile Technology degree and upon graduation accepted a position as a Stylist/Fabric Designer with J. P. Stephens Company in New York City. Most of my efforts were oriented toward the Bobbi Brooks line of women’s clothing in their woolens and worsteds division. Such was a great opportunity to learn and advance and then in late 1965 I received the infamous Notice to Report from the Selective Service Board for my draft examination and physical. Thus, a great career was stopped in its infancy!

After Dianne Woodard and I were married on September 11, 1965, I volunteered to enter Officer Candidate School and in August 1966, I entered “OCS” in the USMC knowing full well that I would remain in the USMC Airwing even if I “washed out” of flight training. However, through tremendous personal effort, I became Captain and received my coveted “Wings of Gold” on April 1, 1968…April Fools’ Day!

Vietnam was another story, and I feel it best forgotten. There are too many memories, both good and bad, pertaining to this difficult time in our nation’s history. I was committed to go, duly qualified to fly combat missions, went and did my duty. “Nuff said!

After being mustered out of the military, I received the same disrespect that so many veterans experienced at that time. First, the job in New York that was promised to me upon my return was now “unavailable”. That said, through the assistance of Brother/Reverend Fred Pinkston, I associated with his employer in Columbia, South Carolina and marketed “Astro-Turf” to commercial and institutional end users. Through my efforts, we were successful in putting this man-made outdoor turf on the University of South Carolina football field.

Left a few years later, and opened the first of many future men’s clothing stores. From a humble beginning on Main Street-Columbia operating as Ridout-Bostrom, we ultimately brought the Jodhpurs, Sporting Life and King Bostrom, Inc. retail clothing outlets to elite shopping malls from New Jersey to Florida. All was rosy, and life was good! However, as more and more of our “exclusive” men’s wear lines began to be sold by large retailers, we had to redirect our efforts, and ultimately sold all individual stores.

These last ten or so years found me in the insurance industry marketing senior-living/retirement instruments to offset the ever-rising cost of assisted living and skilled nursing care. Although we were ahead of so many other companies, we soon had new competition and today many of these underwriters have flooded the market with lower quality policies. So, that’s when I decided it was time to retire!

Over the years, I have been told “there is a book in me”. That said, one of my most noteworthy memories from those Vietnam years follows. It is true, and worthy of sharing.


The Story of Tar Heel and Baby Jesus

During the Vietnam War, the remote A Shau Valley was one of the key entry points utilized by the North Vietnamese Army. Operation Apache Snow was conceived to destroy the enemy’s base located in the area and was fought during May 10-20, 1969. Today, it is referred to as Hamburger Hill due to the casualties experienced on both sides.

On May 18, 1969, the lead company, A-Team, experienced severe casualties including all officers. It was a desperate situation.

TAR HEEL was there. The following is his story.

I was a flight of two Phantoms out of Chu Lai Air Base, South Vietnam for Combat Air Patrol. After tanker re-fueling, contacted Da Nang Direct Air Support Control and informed them that both Phantoms were fueled, and awaiting mission assignment. They gave us Hill 937, “Hamburger Hill”.

An airborne tactical air controller advised that he was marking our target with a white phosphorus smoke rocket. I made a run up the valley and saw nothing. It was around the noon hour, and all I saw was jungle canopy. Called controller and said “I can’t release weapons under such conditions”. Purple smoke marked our troops, with the white smoke being the enemy, but they blended together in my gun sight!

Was told to “Standby”, and later informed that controller had spoken to our man on the ground with the call sign “Baby Jesus”. He said “put your weapons on the purple smoke as we are in a world of hurt, and bring it home to Baby Jesus!” That was it, as all his officers were dead or wounded and A-Team having lost over 40% of their forces.

So, we walked our aircraft up Hamburger Hill three times dropping napalm and 500 pound Snakeyes until we were out of ammo. Then, I contacted my controller to inform him of our situation. His response…“Standby, let me talk with those on the ground. Then, he came back and said, “Baby Jesus says great job and he has 117 pairs of Army boots on the ground, plus all dead and wounded awaiting extraction.” Thanks, TAR HEEL!”

The remaining men of A-Team were saved that day by two very courageous men. Baby Jesus, a 23 year old Sergeant with the courage to take command after all his officers were either killed or wounded. In addition, he had the courage to call down a heavy bombardment on his own unit within minutes of taking control.

Close air support is an extremely dangerous feat under any circumstances. Pilot and plane experience difficult terrain and close-range anti-aircraft fire, and it took courage for TAR HEEL, only 27 at the time, to bring his Phantom in at 50 feet above the trees and 450 knots to place precisely his ordinance on a strongly defended enemy position. He did it three times!

TAR HEEL returned to the Chu Lai Air Base, Hamburger Hill was secured and Baby Jesus returned to his base operations. The paths of these two individuals did not cross again during their in-country tours of duty. They both returned home from the war never having met, never knowing the other’s real name.

But, TAR HEEL’S story did continue.

I was having lunch with a friend here in Wilmington. He enjoyed stories about airplanes, and I shared with him my mission on Hamburger Hill. Following a brief story regarding this action, a guy approaches our table. He had been seated near us and overheard what I had said.

He looked me straight in the eye, and said…“are you TAR HEEL”? I responded, “Well yes that’s what they called me when I flew in Vietnam”. After a lengthy pause, his response was simply…“I’m Baby Jesus”!

Baby Jesus is Staff Sergeant Wesley David Bush, Jr., the senior NCO left standing that fateful day of May 18, 1969. He earned a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and numerous Purple Hearts during his military career. He retired to Wilmington, North Carolina to be near his family. Since our reunion in that restaurant we became very close friends. It saddens me that he died December 11, 2012 @ the age of 66.

TAR HEEL is Captain King O. Bostrom, Jr. who flew the F-4 Phantom II from VMFA 314, the Black Knights, Chu Lai Air Base, South Vietnam. He was recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross for his courageous action at Hamburger Hill. After his return to civilian life he, like so many others who served our country in southeast Asia could never really put the experience behind him. He has retired to his home town of Wilmington, North Carolina.

Semper Fi.

Respectfully recorded and transcribed July 21, 2014 by:
Mike Stenhouse, Mike Thompson (Fraternity brothers, roommates, and longtime friends)