?»?Kerry R Bignall was born in 1944 in California and grew up in Hawaii and California. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1962. He served on the USS Hancock (CVA-19) assigned to the arresting gear crew. In 1967 he was assigned to OBSERVATION Squadron Sixty-Seven (VO-67) based out of Nakon Phanom, Thailand. VO-67 was the biggest secret of the Vietnam War. Established in 1967 and disestablished in 1968, VO-67 implanted sensors along the Ho Chi Minh Trail and the area surrounding the U.S. Marine base at Khe Sanh. The air crews that implanted the sensors to track enemy troop and supply truck movements flew small WWII aircraft (P2?€™s refitted and designated OP-2E) at low speed and low altitude during daylight hours all the while taking fire from the enemy on the ground. VO-67 lost three aircraft (25%) and 20 personnel. Kerry was assigned to Combat Aircrew 6. He was awarded an Air Medal for his combat flights while serving with VO-67. November 1999 Kerry was inducted into the Enlisted Combat Air Crew Roll of Honor at Patriots Point, SC. May 15, 2003 Kerry was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his ?€?coolness under fire and undaunted courage allowed his Aircraft to complete its assigned missions over the Ho Chi Minh Trail and at the Siege of the Marines at Khe Sanh. His ability to place devastating fire in close on the enemy protected his crew and aircraft resulting in the successful completion of these missions.?€? In May 2008 VO-67 was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its contributions to saving the Marines at Khe Sanh.