In December 1972, nine men from the 97th Bombardment Wing at Blytheville Air Force Base did not return after their B-52 aircraft was shot down over Hanoi, North Vietnam: Col. Keith R. Heggen, Lt. Col. Donald L. Rissi, Major Bobby A. Kirby, Capt. Randall J. Craddock, Capt. George D. Lockhart, Capt. Ronald D. Perry, Capt. Robert J. Thomas, Capt. Charles E. Darr, and SmSgt. Walter L. Ferguson.