Butch Verich
Encyclopedia
Demetrio 'Butch' Verich was born in Laona, Wisconsin
in 1932 of Serb-Montenegrin ancestry. In 1967, Lieutenant Commander Butch Verich, along with two other VF-162 F-8s attacked enemy flak sites ahead of an A-4 strike.
Verich's Crusader was hit by a SAM
, and he punched out over hostile North Vietnamese territory. He landed near the wreck of his burning fighter and evading enemy troops for 15 hours, waiting for rescue and avoiding capture.
The SAR effort had been suspended as night came, but soon after dawn F-8s, A-1s, and A-4s arrived as the largest ever Naval rescue operation of the Vietnam War
. During this time, Verich fired a flare that directed the HS-2 rescue helicopter from the carrier HORNET (CVS-12) to his position. The helo pilot and his crew braved intense enemy fire to finally drag Verich up into the quivering aircraft.
It took 20 minutes and three tries to grab the helo's rescue sling, but Verich finally grabbed hold. The helicopter pilot, Lieutenant Neil Sparks, received the Navy Cross
for his exploit.
Butch is a retired attorney and District Attorney and currently resides in Laona, WI.
Laona, Wisconsin
Laona is a town in Forest County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,212 at the 2010 census. The census-designated place of Laona is located in the town...
in 1932 of Serb-Montenegrin ancestry. In 1967, Lieutenant Commander Butch Verich, along with two other VF-162 F-8s attacked enemy flak sites ahead of an A-4 strike.
Verich's Crusader was hit by a SAM
Surface-to-air missile
A surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...
, and he punched out over hostile North Vietnamese territory. He landed near the wreck of his burning fighter and evading enemy troops for 15 hours, waiting for rescue and avoiding capture.
The SAR effort had been suspended as night came, but soon after dawn F-8s, A-1s, and A-4s arrived as the largest ever Naval rescue operation of the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. During this time, Verich fired a flare that directed the HS-2 rescue helicopter from the carrier HORNET (CVS-12) to his position. The helo pilot and his crew braved intense enemy fire to finally drag Verich up into the quivering aircraft.
It took 20 minutes and three tries to grab the helo's rescue sling, but Verich finally grabbed hold. The helicopter pilot, Lieutenant Neil Sparks, received the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
for his exploit.
Butch is a retired attorney and District Attorney and currently resides in Laona, WI.