Operation Duck Hook

By T. Clement Robison

In an effort to end the Vietnam War, President
Richard M. Nixon developed a diabolical plan and
placed the United States military on the highest
combat alert status while setting in motion one of the
most dangerous scenarios ever conceived by a national
leader. So dangerous that it could trigger a world war.
Stopping a catastrophe now rests in the hands of one
man. But time is running out. Faced with accomplishing
the near impossible and betrayed by those he once
trusted, John Coletrane is called upon to protect
a secret and save the United States government from
causing the death of tens of thousands of people.
Only through courage and determination can this highly
trained combat veteran accomplish his mission, protect
the secret, while struggling to keep his own past from
destroying him.
Based in part upon actual events, this is high intensity
action and international intrigue at its best.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 26, 2012
• ISBN: 9781479764044

T. Clement Robison

OTHER BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR W.I.A. (Wounded in Action) Enemy of My Enemy Operation Duck Hook Lost Treasure of the Grand Strand The Improbable Life of Billy T. Kettle Corpse on Cape Romain

Book preview

Copyright © 2013 by T. Clement Robison.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2012923876

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4797-6403-7

                   Softcover                                 978-1-4797-6402-0

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4797-6404-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Contents

AUTHOR’S NOTE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

POSTSCRIPT

OTHER BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR

W.I.A. (Wounded in Action)

Enemy of My Enemy

Not everyone who lost their life in Vietnam died there. Not everyone who came home from Vietnam ever left there.

Author unknown

AUTHOR’S NOTE

The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command conducts global search, recovery, and laboratory operations to identify unaccounted-for Americans from past conflicts in order to support the Department of Defense’s personnel accounting efforts.

The command is located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Employing more than 400 joint military and civilian personnel, JPAC continues its search for the more than 83,000 Americans still missing from past conflicts. The laboratory portion of JPAC, referred to as the Central Identification Laboratory, is the largest and most diverse forensic skeletal laboratory in the world.

The command maintains four permanent detachments to assist with command and control, logistics and in-country support during investigation and recovery operations. Detachment One is located in Bangkok, Thailand; Detachment Two in Hanoi, Vietnam; Detachment Three in Vientiane, Laos; and Detachment Four in Honolulu, Hawaii. In order to facilitate logistical support to teams, JPAC maintains storage facilities in Hawaii, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Europe and Papua New Guinea. Having these facilities strategically placed around the world minimizes costs and provides quick access to supplies for teams in remote locations.

The core of JPAC’s day-to-day operations involves researching case files, investigating leads, excavating sites and identifying Americans who were killed in action, but were never brought home. This process involves close coordination with U.S. agencies involved in the POW/MIA issue, including the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office, the Armed Forces mortuary affairs offices, U. S. Pacific Command, Department of State, the Joint Staff, Defense Intelligence Agency, the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory and the U.S. Air Force’s Life Sciences Equipment Laboratory.

Source: http://www.jpac.pacom.mil/index.php?page=mission_overview

The story you are about to read is in no way intended to diminish the noble and honorable work being done by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command. On the contrary, the author commends the Command for its tireless dedication to its mission of accounting for those members of our military, including one of his own relatives, who remain missing.

T. Clement Robison 2012

CHAPTER ONE

Fall 1986

John Coletrane was looking forward to his first weekend off in six months. He had joined the North Dakota Highway Patrol after completing his military service and his undergraduate degree. That was over ten years ago but it seemed like yesterday. John enjoyed the challenge of being a patrolman, many times pulling double shifts. His enthusiasm and work ethic impressed his superiors and he quickly moved up in rank, being promoted to sergeant a few years ago.

It was late September and the fall air was rapidly cooling. It wouldn’t be long before the frigid northern winds would blow down from the Canadian Rockies bringing yet another extremely harsh winter to the region. But there was no time to worry about the weather. Coletrane was busy getting things ready.

He had invited a couple of friends over to watch the big game between North Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota. It was the third game of the season for both teams and so far NDSU was undefeated. North Dakota was at home and, although not as big a rival as the University of North Dakota, USD was a formidable opponent and the game was sure to be exciting. The beer was cold and the steaks were waiting. All that remained was to fire up the grill when the others arrived.

John sat down in his big leather wing backed chair and had just picked up the TV Guide from the side table to re-check the time for the start of the game when there was a loud knock at the door. John quickly looked at his watch. It is only one o’clock. Too early for anyone to arrive for a three o’clock game, he thought.

Before opening the door he pulled the curtain back on the light panel beside the door, a habit he had, checking to see whose car was in the driveway before he answered the door. He didn’t recognize the light gray Chevrolet Bel-Aire sedan, but the bland color, cheap hubcaps and the large whip antenna that was attached to the rear bumper reminded him of the cars he’d seen used by the Federal Marshals Service.

As John reached for the doorknob, there was a second knock. When he opened the door he was staring at a face from his past, a painful past that he would just as soon forget.

John Coletrane? the man asked.

John remained silent trying to put a name with the face. You are John Coletrane? The one they call Two Hawks?

Yes, but no one except members of my mother’s tribe call me Two Hawks anymore.

Well I remember you by both names, the man said. Do you remember me? My name is Elgin Burnett.

John’s memory flashed back to 1969 to a courtroom at Fort Benning, Georgia and a man with a much younger face. Dark memories rushed up from the depth of John’s soul. Yes, I remember you. You’re with the Department of Defense. You were at my court martial.

That’s correct, but I’m no longer with the Department. I am the CEO of a company called Zino Technologies. We’re located in Chevy Chase, Maryland, We’re a defense contractor. May we come in?

John looked behind Burnett and saw a second man standing at the base of the porch steps. He was slightly taller than Burnett, about six foot two, standing ramrod straight with gray-white hair and wearing sun glasses; the government issued kind, the kind where the bows hug the head instead of wrapping around the ears. John guessed the man was in the military, probably a damn officer of some kind.

John stepped back and made room for the two men to enter the foyer.

John… is it alright to call you John? Before waiting for an answer Burnett continued, This is General Walter Ingram, United States Air Force. I’m no longer with the Department of Defense but General Ingram is; he’s from the Pentagon.

John hesitated for a moment before extending his hand to the Air Force officer.

We would like a few minutes of your time, if that would be alright with you, Burnett said.

John didn’t reply but motioned the visitors into the living room where they both took a seat on the sofa opposite the big wing backed chair. John sat down and leaned forward bracing his elbows on his knees and folding his hands in front of him.

Burnett leaned back on the comfortable sofa and crossed his legs. The general sat on the edge of the cushions and removed his sun glasses. His steel-blue eyes focused on Coletrane.

Before we begin John, we need to ask, are we alone? Burnett asked while slowly moving his eyes around the room and down the hall that led to the kitchen.

John’s eyes followed Burnett’s and then returned to the living room. Yes, I live here alone, why? What’s this all about? I’ve been discharged for a long time. I can’t possibly have any further military commitment, John said looking questionably at both of the men sitting in front of him.

The comment stirred the general. You’re correct Mister Coletrane. Your military commitment was completed years ago. But we are hoping for your cooperation. What we are about to tell you is classified top secret. Considering your previous experience in intelligence we hope you will keep our conversation to yourself. It’s a matter of national security.

Are you willing to listen and not tell anyone about our visit or what we discuss? Burnett asked.

John looked at his watch. I guess I’m willing to listen, but I have friends coming over in about an hour to watch the game.

Our conversation will take only a few minutes. We can meet again if necessary, the general replied.

Okay I guess I can give you a few minutes.

John, we want you to help us find something, Burnett began.

Help who? Who are we?

When I say we I mean the United States Government, Burnett offered.

John quickly stood up. Wait a minute, hold on here. Back up the bus! Help the government, the same government that court martialed me when I was only doing my job; that government? John shouted.

The general looked at Burnett then back to Coletrane. That was a different time and essentially a different government, the general said. Now, please sit down.

Burnett put both feet on the floor and leaned forward. John, I know you still have a lot of bitterness about what happened in 1969 but we really would like you to listen to what we have to say before you pass judgment.

John looked into Burnett’s eyes and thought that the man looked sincere. Okay. I said I’d give you a few minutes, so go on.

Burnett and the general leaned farther forward so that they could speak in low tones, a cautious habit they had developed from years of being involved in confidential governmental matters.

John, there are only a handful of people who know what I’m about to tell you. As I said earlier, this is classified top secret. Do you agree not to reveal anything that is said here today? Again the general asked.

John looked at Burnett who nodded his head signaling that they needed John’s agreement.

Okay, I can keep a secret.

John we want you to go back to Vietnam, Burnett said softly.

John’s eyes darted between the two men now sitting only inches away. He looked for some sign that this was just a joke; a hoax perpetrated by some of his buddies on the force. But how could they have known about Burnett. John had never discussed his conviction for killing a Kit Carson Scout. (North Vietnamese soldiers who changed sides and agreed to act as scouts for the Americans). And he never told anyone how the conviction was over turned on appeal after he had spent nearly a year in Leavenworth Federal Correctional Facility.

Both men’s eyes stared at Coletrane waiting for a sign of acknowledgement of what they were asking. A long moment passed before John spoke. Nam? You want me to go back to Nam? Do you know how much trouble and problems Nam caused me? Mister Burnett you know. I lost friends there. I was wounded twice and then wrongly court martialed for killing an enemy soldier. Go back to Nam? Are you crazy? I wouldn’t go back to Viet—Nam for a million dollars.

Burnett sat back in his seat. Coltrane’s initial reaction was exactly what he had expected.

The government is prepared to offer you twice that amount.

John’s eyes blinked. He turned his head slightly as if he had suddenly lost his hearing. What did you say?

I said the United States Government will pay you two million dollars, tax free, if you will agree to go back to Vietnam and try to find something the government lost during the war. Half now and the other half after you complete the mission.

Mission? What kind of mission would the government be willing to pay one man two million dollars to complete? Hell, I used to get paid a hundred and fifty five dollars a month to pull dozens of missions.

The government can’t order you to go this time. It would have to be strictly voluntary on your part and we are willing to compensate you for your trouble, the general added.

Trouble is right. Do you know how many of those little bastards I greased in my two tours? And those are the guys who now run that country. What if they decide to try to even the score?

John, will you please at least listen, it has to do with the recovery of remains of an Air Force pilot? Burnett pleaded.

MIA? You want me to go back and recover the remains of an MIA? Aren’t there people already over there doing that?

Yes. The Department of Defense maintains the Prisoner of War-Missing Personnel Office that supports the Joint Task Force-Full Accounting teams (JTF-FA). I’m the head of that department. You would be working with one of the JTF-FA teams currently in Vietnam, General Ingram replied.

You need me to look for the pilot’s remains? John asked.

No, the remains have been found. We need you to look for something else, Burnett interjected.

John again looked at both men more confused than ever. I don’t get it. If the remains have been found what else could be so important to involve sending me back to Nam?

Elgin Burnett now stood and straightened his tie. He slowly walked around the back of the big chair where Coletrane was sitting. When he again stood in front of John, he leaned forward and braced his arms on the chair and stared directly into Coltrane’s eyes. We want you to find the crash site of a B-52 bomber. Burnett waited a few seconds, and then added, And the nuclear bomb we believe is aboard.

We had nukes in Nam? John’s voice elevated.

Not exactly, Burnett replied.

Not exactly, what the hell does that mean, not exactly? You just asked me to go to Nam and locate a downed B-52 carrying a nuclear weapon. What the hell is going on? What is this all about? If you want me on board you need to fill me in on a lot more facts before I commit.

John thought back to his two tours in Vietnam leading reconnaissance missions with the Americal Division’s Long Range Patrol (LRP-pronounced-LURP) teams. He remembered how difficult it was then to get the military intelligence section (S-2) to give team leaders everything the S-2 types knew about an area before sending in a team to see what they could discover. S-2 often held back important information, wanting the LURP teams to independently verify the intelligence S-2 already had or suspected on the area. This practice led to team members being injured and killed by what they didn’t know because S-2 had failed to tell them.

It wasn’t going to happen this time. If the government wanted his help, they would have to tell him everything or he was going to pass; two-mill or no two-mill.

I want to know the whole story of how this came about or you can count me out right now.

Burnett looked at Ingram and both men looked at Coletrane. Okay, John here’s the story, Burnett began.

"During the early part of 1969 Richard Nixon and some of his aides were trying to find a way to end the war. They developed a plan to use threats of extreme force to try to get North Vietnam to agree to end the war. Nixon warned the North that if they didn’t agree to the terms that the American Government was proposing the North would face grave consequences. Plans were developed for the military in July under the code name Operation Duck Hook. The planning and evaluation of Duck Hook by the National Security Council was so secret that even Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird, who often opposed the president’s Vietnam policy, was left out of the loop.

"The president wanted a military plan that would basically bring the enemy to their knees and end their ability to fight the war. The plan called for, among other things, air and naval bombing against the North, mining of harbors and ports and the destruction of the levee system along the Red River. The plan was significantly different from what former President Lyndon Johnson had tried during Operations Rolling Thunder, and Line Backer One and Two, and other massive bombing operations because many non-military targets, off limits in the past, were now fair game. But the biggest difference was that the Duck Hook planners did not rule out the use of nuclear devices as a possible option for consideration."

"So it was during the Duck Hook operation that the B-52 was lost?" Coletrane asked.

"No, Duck Hook was never executed. Some of Nixon’s top advisors opposed the plan and the president didn’t think he could maintain public support during the time that would be required to fully implement the plan. In addition, the administration’s attempts to get the Soviet Union to persuade North Vietnam that the threats were real and they should agreed to the American terms did not materialize," General