More detail on this person: Jon F. Myhre died on October 6, 2018 in Sebastian, Florida following an extended battle with cancer. Jon will be interred at Fountainhead Memorial Park in Palm Bay, FL, following a private family memorial service. Survivors include his two daughters, a son, and five grandchildren. Jon, a former PFC in the US Marine Corps, transferred to the US Army in 1965 as a Direct Appointment to Warrant Officer, W1. He graduated from ORWAC 66-6, and was assigned to the 175th AHC at Vinh Long, RVN in 1966-1967. Jon flew many successful missions all over the Delta, in direct support of the 7th, 9th, and 21st ARVN Divisions. His call sign was Outlaw 17 when he was shot down in LZ Alpha on Easter Sunday, 1967. Despite severe leg wounds, he managed to get onto the 82nd Dust-Off flown by Jim Eberwine. Intense ground fire brought down the Dust-Off as they were trying to depart the LZ, causing it to crash land, roll onto its side, and burn. This was Jon's second shoot down of the morning. That day is called by those who were there, "The Battle of Easter Sunday". Col Jack Dempsey, Commander of the 13th AVN BN, also died there while trying to get his men out of the LZ. Dempsey Heliport, Fort Wolters, TX was named after him. 5 Distinguished Service Crosses, and many other medals were awarded for that Battle, more than any other single day in the history of the Vietnam War. Jon was ultimately picked up, and evacuated first to Vinh Long, then Long Bin Evac Hospital, and then to Camp Zama, Japan. As he was stabilized, he was sent to Walter Reed for months of surgeries and rehabilitation. Jon was very determined, and regained his flight status when most thought he would never fly again. He then was assigned to a fixed wing assignment in Germany flying the U6 Beaver. Jon returned to Vietnam in 1971-1972 flying RU-21s for the 146th ASA, out of Bien Hoa. Jon retired in 1981 as a Captain and Master Army Aviator, from the 138th AVN Co, USAR, in Orlando, FL. Jon was awarded the DFC; 2 Bronze Stars, one with "V" device; 30 Air Medals; 4 Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Jon Myhre also flew as a Charter, Corporate and Instructor Pilot for a number of years, and worked for the FAA (1983-1989) as an Air Traffic Assistant. Jon was a noted aviation safety specialist, historian, and author of several books. Jon's book, Discovery of Flight 19 chronicles his 30-year quest to solve the mystery of Flight 19 - the five Navy Avenger bombers that vanished off Florida's east coast in 1945. His latest published work was titled Valor in The Delta which chronicled the individual stories of those who participated in the Battle of Easter Sunday, 1967. He was working on a book about the disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 when he died. Jon always said he was damn proud to have been a small part of a great team. Submit to: HQ@VHPA.org Terry A. McDowell juniperccw@hotmail.com
Burial information: Fountainhead Memorial Park, Palm Bay, FL
This information was last updated 10/12/2018
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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