We have been learning about Neil Ostgaard and his service in the Vietnam War. Neil grew up in Tracy; graduated from St. John’s University in 1965 with an Army officer’s commission; completed flight training in the OV-1 Mohawk, a twin-engine reconnaissance aircraft; and deployed to Vietnam in October 1967.

His aircraft was shot down over Laos in July 1968, but he and his technical observer were rescued and returned to their unit, the 131st Aviation Company at Phu Bai. Neil recalled that falling from the tree where his parachute had hung up cost him.

“I could hardly walk because of back pain. The doc examined me; took X-rays; and said there were no breaks, but I was badly bruised and would be sore for a while. I was out about a week before I was back on flight status.”

Neil was not wounded or captured, so the Army did not notify his parents of the incident. Neil didn’t want to worry his parents, but felt a need to share with someone.

“I wrote a long letter to my brother after the shoot-down, telling him about it. I told him, ‘Don’t tell Mom and Dad until I’m back or on my way back.'”

Neil explained that the other time the war reached out to him directly was earlier in 1968.

“During the Tet Offensive in February 1968 we sent the majority of aircraft and pilots to Udorn in Thailand (Udorn Royal Thai Air Base). The married pilots ferried those aircraft. It made sense that (they) fly them out, but we envied them. We got our share of shelling during Tet. We dove into the bunkers about eight or 10 times. One time they walked rounds down the flight line and damaged some aircraft. But we had already evacuated many of the aircraft to Thailand.”

Another day at Phu Bai impacted Neil and has stayed with him.

“I vividly recall walking out on the tarmac one day at the Bird Dog unit. (An aviation company of forward air controllers next to Neil’s unit) About 100 body bags were laid out. That really tested my faith in the sense of what kind of God permits this kind of thing? I didn’t lose my faith, but that experience certainly tested it.”

Neil got away from Phu Bai twice on R&R during his tour of duty; once to Sydney, Australia and once to Bangkok, Thailand. Sydney left a big impression.

I had a blast in Sydney. I met a gal the first night and we were together the whole week. We spent most of our time at the King’s Crossing section of town which was the center of night life.”

Neil flew his last mission as his tour of duty neared its end.

“When I got back, all the guys were out at the aircraft with champagne. Someone later flew me from Phu Bai down to Danang. A civilian 707 flew us to Seattle. It was a great flight home. The stewardesses were great to everyone and everyone was happy.”

Neil had a less pleasant encounter during that trip home.

“Our war was not popular by the time I got home, but I was treated well by most. There was one incident, though, that stayed with me. I arrived at SeaTac and was moving through the terminal in my uniform toward my connecting flight. Some young guy walked right up to me and spat on me.”

Neil’s family welcomed him home with a party in Minneapolis that included lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins. But his Army obligation was not complete and after a couple weeks in Tracy, he returned overseas to finish his service.

“I had two years and two months left that was spent in Germany with the 122nd Aviation Company (in Hanau). They had Mohawks and their mission was to fly along the East German border, looking for troop movements or anything unusual.”

Neil enjoyed his Germany duty and treated his parents to a trip overseas.

“I brought my folks over to visit Dad’s relatives in Norway in 1970. My Dad was reluctant to fly, but I talked him into it. We had a blast. His Norwegian came back because his folks still spoke Norwegian when he was growing up. I had never seen my father shed a tear until he met his Norwegian relatives.” (Neil’s voice tightened with emotion)

The Army wanted Neil to continue on active duty and transition to helicopters, but he had other plans.

“I declined the orders and submitted papers for release from active duty. I chose the “European Out” option where I could remain in Europe for a year and the Army would move me back to the States. A bunch of us went to Kitzbuhl, Austria, staying at a place on the ski slopes. A couple of us then bought a Land Rover and drove through France to Spain and across to Morocco. We drove across the Sahara and ended up in Tanzania before returning to Europe.”

Neil returned to the United States and flew commercial aircraft for years before making a career transition as a tour director, often organizing college reunion tours around the country and overseas. Having satisfied his wanderlust, Neil lives in California’s San Francisco Bay area and has a part-time gig driving school bus for special education students.

Thank you for your service, Neil. Welcome home.

The Lyon County Museum is organizing an exhibit about the Vietnam War and Lyon County. If you would like to share Vietnam experiences or help with the exhibit, please contact me at prairieviewpressllc@gmail.com or call the museum at 537-6580.