Major Louis R. Raleigh

     He may be gone, but he is not forgotten – On the day after Christmas, December 26, 1965, Major Louis R. Raleigh - USAF, Age 33, an A-1E Skyraider Pilot, was killed while serving with the 602^nd Air Commando Squadron in Bien Hoa, South Vietnam.  He was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, the Air Force Longevity Award and his Aviator Wings.  He was born on December 02, 1932 and died on December 26, 1965 at the age of 33.  Major Raleigh was the first casualty from Braintree to sacrifice his life during the Vietnam War. At the time of his death he was survived by his wife Joan Lee Raleigh (Mahar) and his five children Janice age 7, twins Michael and Mark age 6, Lisa age 4 and Timothy age 1, his parents Mr. and Mrs. Denis Smith of Braintree and two sisters Denise Smith of Boston and Sandra Hoering of Allston. His daughter Lou Ann, his sixth child predeceased him in 1957. Major Raleigh was born and raised on Middle Street, Braintree, Ma. and graduated from Braintree High School in 1950.  He played football during his Freshman and Sophomore years, was a member of the Glee Club, Student Council and was a cast member of the senior show.  He was a popular member of his graduating class with several comments in his senior year- book about his sense of humor.  He liked to go by the name of Louie and was one of the funnier members of his class.  Soon after graduation he would join the United States Air Force.

    Upon joining the Air Force in 1951 he attended mechanics school as an enlisted man.  Shortly thereafter, seeking a challenge, he decided to be a pilot and an officer.  After completing Officer Cadet School in the early 1950’s, he attended single pilot training school at Bryan Air Force Base, Tx.  earning his wings by learning to fly in a T-28 Trojan. The North American Aviation T-28 Trojan is a two-seater single engine military trainer aircraft used by the United States Air Force.  Upon earning his wings, then Lieutenant Raleigh would return to Braintree and began dating Joan Mahar.  The two had known each other since they were toddlers, and both graduated in the same BHS class of 1950.   They would get married in August 1956.  They then began their life together while he was stationed with the Royal Air Force outside of London.  From there they would relocate to Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota (where Janice, Mark and Mike were born); Scott AFB in Illinois, Kirtland AFB in New Mexico (Lisa was born) and then the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB in Alabama (Tim was born). During this time, he would begin earning his degree with the University of New Mexico with an emphasis on journalism.  This all had to be cut short when he was assigned to Eglin AFB and it was here that they made their home in Fort Walton Beach Fl.   His last reassignment, Major Raleigh would leave his family in Florida to serve his country in Vietnam.

    Major Raleigh arrived at Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam on August 4, 1965.  The third Tactical Fighter Wing arrived on Bien Hoa in early October and he would join the 602^nd Air Commando Squadron. This squadron operated A-1E Skyraiders under the call sign "Firefly". Their daylight task was a primary one of combat search and rescue of air crews downed in the Kingdom of Laos. A secondary task was night operations as a flare marker in order to mark the search and rescue locations for the helicopter rescue crews.    After the downed planes were marked with flares, the helicopter rescue crews would fly in to get the pilot out.  Major Raleigh was well known to the para-rescuers who flew in these missions. At times, his squadron flew single ship sorties that would mark their own targets for their own air strikes.  The A-1E Skyraider could fly at a speed of only 321 MPH and they were known to fly low and slow in order to draw enemy fire.  Once the enemy made their location known, the pilots would unleash the 12 rockets that it would carry along with firing their 4 20 MM machine gun cannons.   Normally these airstrikes would be carried out by as many as four aircraft (Two loaded with bombs and two loaded with Napalm and White Phosphorus).  Their tactic was to alternate between the types of ordinances flying crisscross maneuvers over a given area.   The A-1 was powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Engine and was propelled by a 13 foot 6 inch four blade propeller.  It was a very maneuverable aircraft and its pilots had a particular swagger flying a prop plane from a by-gone era. 

    Like all fighter attack A-1Es, maintenance had to be performed in order to ensure they were combat ready.    Some maintenance would be minor while others would require a major overhaul.  Only the best pilots would test fly these planes after they had been worked on.  Major Raleigh was one of those pilots who would be called on to test fly A-1E aircraft #52-132637. On December 26, 1965, just after leaving the runway his plane developed engine trouble and caught fire.  Major Raleigh was able to eject but unfortunately the parachute did not open in time and he perished close to the runway.  The following was cited by one of the para-rescuers;

    “Was one of the funniest guys I ever met. He reminded me so much of Jonathan Winters. We were flying back from a Vietnamese Orphanage in two rescue helicopters when we heard one of our planes had crashed. The chopper I was in continued to base and the other went to the crash site. I was a Medic at the base. When they brought the casualty in and I saw who it was I couldn't believe it. We lost a great Warrior that day. Christmas has never been the same for me. I think about him and say a prayer for his family all the time. God Bless and "Reach Out and Touch the Face of God"

Christmas for his family has never been the same either.

    An A-1E plane like the one Major Raleigh had flown.  Picture of Major Raleigh, wife Joan, Daughter Janice, Twin sons Mike and Mark. This picture was taken before Lisa and Timothy were born. Special thanks to Janice Raleigh for contributing to his tribute.

    Major Louis R. Raleigh served his country for 14 years and gave his life, such a high cost for our freedom.   He was a true warrior and an American hero. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, along with his wife Joan (October 11, 2008) and son Timothy (February 25, 2018), Section 35, grave 114 and he is also listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall Panel 04E, Line 39. The Vietnam Memorial Wall bears the names of 104 USAF A-1E Skyraider pilots who perished during the war.

    We walk in the footsteps of heroes. If they are remembered, they are not gone, they have simply moved to another  assignment and are among our best. …. Anonymous

   Further note – Major Raleigh and other Braintree residents who have died in Vietnam, and those who later died from wounds or Agent Orange related illnesses, or served in Vietnam and have passed, are honored and remembered at the Braintree Vietnam Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament. This event has been held annually for the past 32 years. The contributions collected are then given in the form of scholarships to high school students in their memory. Contributions and sponsorships  can be sent at any time to the Vietnam Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Peter Schiavone, 1752 Washington Street, Braintree, Ma. 02184. The next tournament will be held on August 25, 2025 at the Braintree Municipal Golf Course. Following the tournament, all are invited to the Braintree Sons of Italy, King Hill Road in Braintree, Ma. for a luncheon.