AC-130 Battle of Khafji.

Bland, Thomas Clifford Jr.
Air Force Captain

Thomas C. Bland Jr., age 26, from Gaithersburg, Maryland, Montgomery county.

Service era: Gulf War

Parents: Deirdra McMahan

Schools: Graduated high school in Gaithersburg, Texas A&M University graduate

Date of death: Thursday, January 31, 1991
Death details: AC-130 shot down in Battle of Khafji.

Silver Star citiation: “The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Thomas Clifford Bland, Jr., United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against the forces of the Republic of Iraq, while serving as Co-Pilot of AC-130H Spectre Gunship “Spirit 03″, of the 16th Special Operations Squadron, U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, in action near the Kuwaiti border while supporting U.S. Marine Corps operations during the first Iraq offensive, on 31 January 1991. On that date, while performing an Operation DESERT STORM AC-130H armed reconnaissance mission, Lieutenant Bland was tasked to engage a free rocket over ground missile site. As the gunship Co-Pilot, Lieutenant Bland assisted the pilot as he began firing 40 and 105 millimeter munitions at the target. While engaging the target, the aircrew received heavy fire from numerous anti-aircraft artillery sites. His courageous and aggressive attack continued while under unceasing anti-aircraft artillery fire preventing a missile attack on allied coalition forces. The actions of Lieutenant Bland aided the allied forces in repelling the Iraqi Army incursion south into the Saudi Arabia border town of Khafji. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Bland in the dedication of this service to his country reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”

Cemetery: Arlington National

Source: White House Commission on Remembrance, Gulf War Chronicles, Military Times, Baltimore Sun, Facebook

Blessinger, John P.
Air Force Staff sergeant

John P. Blessinger, age 33, from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Okaloosa county.

Parents: Vilette Blessinger
Spouse: Married
Children: Daughters, ages 6 and 8

Service era: Gulf War

Date of death: Thursday, January 31, 1991
Death details: During the Battle of Khafji, the AC-130 he was aboard was hit by a shoulder-fired missile as the plane attacked rocket launchers threatening U.S. Marines. Air Force officials said no one could have survived the crash. Only five of the 14 men lost were positively identified after remains were recovered from the plane, which was missing for more than a month before discovered on the bottom of the Persian Gulf off Saudi Arabia.

Source: White House Commission on Remembrance, Gulf War Chronicles, Military Times, Newsday (1991)

Buege, Paul G.
Air Force Senior master sergeant

Paul G. Buege, age 43, from Mary Esther, Florida, Okaloosa county.

Spouse: Terry Buege

Service era: Gulf War

Date of death: Thursday, January 31, 1991
Death details: During the Battle of Khafji, the AC-130 he was aboard was hit by a shoulder-fired missile as the plane attacked rocket launchers threatening U.S. Marines. Air Force officials said no one could have survived the crash. Only five of the 14 men lost were positively identified after remains were recovered from the plane, which was missing for more than a month before discovered on the bottom of the Persian Gulf off Saudi Arabia.
Cemetery: Arlington National

Source: White House Commission on Remembrance, Gulf War Chronicles, grave marker, Associated Press (2001)

Clark, Barry M.
Air Force Sergeant

Barry M. Clark, age 26, from Hulburt Field, Florida, Okaloosa county.

Service era: Gulf War

Date of death: Thursday, January 31, 1991
Death details: During the Battle of Khafji, the AC-130 he was aboard was hit by a shoulder-fired missile as the plane attacked rocket launchers threatening U.S. Marines. Air Force officials said no one could have survived the crash. Only five of the 14 men lost were positively identified after remains were recovered from the plane, which was missing for more than a month before discovered on the bottom of the Persian Gulf off Saudi Arabia.
Cemetery: Barrancas National, Pensacola

Source: White House Commission on Remembrance, Gulf War Chronicles, Military Times, grave marker

Galvan, Arthur
Air Force Captain

Arthur Galvan, age 33, from Navarre, Florida, Santa Rosa county.

Parents: Doris O’Campo
Spouse: Married
Children: Two children

Service era: Gulf War

Date of death: Thursday, January 31, 1991
Death details: During the Battle of Khafji, the AC-130 he was aboard was hit by a shoulder-fired missile as the plane attacked rocket launchers threatening U.S. Marines. Air Force officials said no one could have survived the crash. Only five of the 14 men lost were positively identified after remains were recovered from the plane, which was missing for more than a month before discovered on the bottom of the Persian Gulf off Saudi Arabia.

Source: White House Commission on Remembrance, Gulf War Chronicles, Military Times, Grand Junction Daily Sentinel (2004), Los Angeles Times (1991)

Grimm, William D.
Air Force Captain

William D. Grimm, age 28, from Hulburt Field, Florida, Okaloosa county.

Service era: Gulf War
Schools: Brigham Young University

Date of death: Thursday, January 31, 1991
Death details: During the Battle of Khafji, the AC-130 he was aboard was hit by a shoulder-fired missile as the plane attacked rocket launchers threatening U.S. Marines. Air Force officials said no one could have survived the crash. Only five of the 14 men lost were positively identified after remains were recovered from the plane, which was missing for more than a month before discovered on the bottom of the Persian Gulf off Saudi Arabia.

Source: White House Commission on Remembrance, Gulf War Chronicles, Provo Daily Herald (1993)

Hodges, Robert K.
Air Force Technician

Robert K. Hodges, age 28, from Hulburt Field, Florida, Okaloosa county.

Spouse: Rita Hodges

Service era: Gulf War

Date of death: Thursday, January 31, 1991
Death details: During the Battle of Khafji, the AC-130 he was aboard was hit by a shoulder-fired missile as the plane attacked rocket launchers threatening U.S. Marines. Air Force officials said no one could have survived the crash. Only five of the 14 men lost were positively identified after remains were recovered from the plane, which was missing for more than a month before discovered on the bottom of the Persian Gulf off Saudi Arabia.

Source: White House Commission on Remembrance, Gulf War Chronicles, Associated Press (2001)

Kanuha, Damon V.
Air Force Staff sergeant

Damon V. Kanuha, age 28, from San Diego, California, San Diego county.

Service era: Gulf War

Date of death: Thursday, January 31, 1991
Death details: During the Battle of Khafji, the AC-130 he was aboard was hit by a shoulder-fired missile as the plane attacked rocket launchers threatening U.S. Marines. Air Force officials said no one could have survived the crash. Only five of the 14 men lost were positively identified after remains were recovered from the plane, which was missing for more than a month before discovered on the bottom of the Persian Gulf off Saudi Arabia.

Source: White House Commission on Remembrance, The Gulf War Chronicles, Associated Press (1991)

May, James B. II
Air Force Master sergeant

James B. II May, age 40, from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Okaloosa county.

Service era: Gulf War

Date of death: Thursday, January 31, 1991
Death details: During the Battle of Khafji, the AC-130 he was aboard was hit by a shoulder-fired missile as the plane attacked rocket launchers threatening U.S. Marines. Air Force officials said no one could have survived the crash. Only five of the 14 men lost were positively identified after remains were recovered from the plane, which was missing for more than a month before discovered on the bottom of the Persian Gulf off Saudi Arabia.
Cemetery: Florida National, Bushnell

Source: White House Commission on Remembrance, Gulf War Chronicles, Department of Veterans Affairs, Associated Press (1991)

Oelschlager, John Lee
Air Force Staff sergeant

John Lee Oelschlager, age 28, from Niceville, Florida, Okaloosa county.

Service era: Gulf War

Date of death: Thursday, January 31, 1991
Death details: During the Battle of Khafji, the AC-130 he was aboard was hit by a shoulder-fired missile as the plane attacked rocket launchers threatening U.S. Marines. Air Force officials said no one could have survived the crash. Only five of the 14 men lost were positively identified after remains were recovered from the plane, which was missing for more than a month before discovered on the bottom of the Persian Gulf off Saudi Arabia.
Cemetery: Barrancas National, Pensacola

Source: White House Commission on Remembrance, Gulf War Chronicles, Department of Veterans Affairs, Associated Press (1991)

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