The June 20, 2013, episode of
American Heroes Radio features a conversation with Master Sergeant David M.
Burns, USAF (ret.), the author of Spectre Gunner: The AC-130 Gunship.
Program Date: June 20,
2013
Program Time: 1500
hours, PACIFIC
Topic: Aboard the
AC-130 Spectre Gunship
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2013/06/20/aboard-the-ac-130-spectre-gunship
About the Guest
Master Sergeant David M. Burns,
USAF (ret.), “joined the US Navy at the age of 15 in 1951 during the Korean
War. He retired in 1978 as a master sergeant after a distinguished career in
both the Navy and Air Force. He flew 287 combat missions in Vietnam during his
four tours in the 16th Special Operations Squadron (Spectre) as an aerial
gunner. Burns is a highly decorated veteran who was wounded in action twice and
awarded several military distinctions, including three Distinguished Flying
Crosses, 27 Air Medals, a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Vietnamese Cross of
Gallantry, Air Force Combat Action Medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
He now lives in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, with his wife and three
children.” Master Sergeant David M.
Burns is the author of Spectre Gunner: The AC-130 Gunship.
According to the book description
of Spectre
Gunner: The AC-130 Gunship, “This is the true story of Master Sergeant
David M. Burns, an aerial gunner assigned to the deadliest squadron in air
force history. Aboard the AC-130 Spectre gunship, he flew a total of 287 combat
missions over Laos, South Vietnam, and Cambodia, in pursuit of the truck
traffic coming down the Ho Chi Minh Trail. His squadron destroyed more than
fifteen thousand trucks loaded with war munitions destined for South Vietnam
and Cambodia. Despite heavy and constant anti-aircraft and missile fire, the
loss of six aircraft and the lives of fifty-two men, the crew never wavered in
its dedication to the mission.
Master Sergeant Burns has a
distinguished military career that began in 1951 at the age of fifteen. He
served one tour of duty in Phan Rang, South Vietnam, in 1967, and four tours of
duty in the 16th Special Operations Squadron in Southeast Asia as an aerial
gunner, lead gunner, and instructor gunner. He served in both the United States
Navy and Air Force, earning three Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism,
twenty-seven Air Medals, as well as a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Presidential
Unit Citation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry
with Palm, Vietnam Service Medal with nine battle stars, and other decorations
from the Korean War. He was wounded twice and is credited with saving the lives
of fourteen crewmembers.”
About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police
slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and
life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.
About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a
sworn member of the Los Angeles Police
Department for 24 years. He
retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant.
He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice
Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California
State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work.
Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University,
Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice
Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and
University. He has experience teaching
upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, law enforcement technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has
published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such
as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine,
and Police One. He has appeared on the
History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject
matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.
Listen,
call, join us at the Watering Hole:
Listen
from the Archive:
Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD
(ret.), MPA
909.599.7530
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