Robert Edwin Brinckmann – Colonel, United States Air Force

by

Could you please add my dads name to your web page.

Colonel Robert Edwin Brinckmann, Vietnam and Korea war.

He was shot down in Vietnam on 4 Nov 1966. He was returned to us in 1989 and was buried in Arlington.

He was the BEST Father that anyone could have!

It would be so greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much.
Barbara Brinckmann

Full Name: ROBERT EDWIN BRINCKMANN

Date of Birth: 12/31/1928
Date of Casualty: 11/4/1966
Home of Record: NEWARK NJ
Branch of Service: AIR FORCE
Rank: COL
Casualty Country: NORTH VIETNAM
Casualty Province: NZ
Status: MIA

The body of Colonel Robert Edwin Brinckmann was buried with full military honors in April 1990 in Arlington National Cemetery after being returned by the government of Vietnam.

The Nutley resident, 38, a longtime Air Force Pilot was killed when the ‘Wild Weasel’ F-105F he was flying was shot down November 4, 1966, by anti-aircraft artillery while attacking a surface-to-air-missile site in North Vietnam.

His electronic warfare officer Captain Vince Scungio, was also killed. The men belonged to the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Airbase, Thailand.

Officials believe the men died in the plane crash. They were listed as missing in action.

That was the end of the story for 23 years. Suddenly, in 1989, Vietnam notified American officials that they had a body, which was shipped to the United States.

Through a check of dental records and bone scars, the body was identified as Brinckmann’s. A panel of military officers confirmed the result.

“It took a great load off the mind of the kids,” said Philip Lorusso of Pompton Lakes, a relative and family spokesman told The Star Ledger. Finally knowing, he added, “was a great relief.”

It is not clear why Vietnamese officials released the body last year, Lorusso said. He said he did not know whether the body was recently discovered or disinterred.

Brinckmann’s widow and their four children, who ranged in age from 2 to 12 when he was shot down, are now grown and living out of state, said Lorusso.

Brinckmann’s military career began in July 1949 when he enlisted in the Air Force after graduating from Nutley High School and attending the University of Maryland.

During missions out of the Philippines and Thailand, he recorded hundreds of hours of jet flying time.

His decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Silver Star and many others.

During the early stages of the Vietnam War, the family resided near Eglin Air Force Base in the Florida Panhandle.

“They didn’t realize that that was the last time they would ever see him alive,” Lorusso said.

No other information was provided about Captain Scungio.

BRINCKMANN, ROBERT E 

  • United States Air Force
  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 12/31/1928
  • DATE OF DEATH: 11/04/1966
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 04/17/1990
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 46  SITE 305
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Read our general and most popular articles

Leave a Comment