Fiercely Dogfighting Six Migs Over Vietnam in an F-4 Phantom | John Ensch
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Navy Captain John Ensch, callsign "Fingers," was an F-4 Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) when shot down over Vietnam and later held as a Prisoner of War at the Hanoi Hilton. His left thumb was so severely wounded from the missile shrapnel, doctors decided to amputate it without anesthesia to deliberately cause him pain. On a previous mission, he and his pilot shot down two Mig-17's while on a MIG combat air patrol with their sidewinder missiles.
Upon coming home from Vietnam Cpt. Ensch worked his way back into a cockpit, this time as an F-14 RIO, after convincing his superiors he could still do what he needed to do without a left thumb.
Recorded on April 10, 2022 on the USS Midway.
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Two things : you don’t know who you are until you’ve faced such circumstances, and the power of any organisation is all about the people
Got great viewership and sponsors... Where are the subtitles?? SHAME!
Blessed to see them back. Sorry to know what he's seen, but what a tale to be re-united with his old pilot.
If you walked past this guy in the street, you'd just see him as a regular guy, you probably wouldn't give him a second glance. Little would you know, that because of his training and the aircraft he flew in.... he's amongst some of the most powerful warriors in all human history. Incredible!
Thanks for the info I wish I had him AS a Instructor in Flying and Fighting
Just a guy that flew a plane, you should admire the taxpayers who paid for it
@@REPR100 We're all taxpayers in this country, as is the pilot in this video. That's a small price we all pay to live here,. I can't see why you think that's worthy of more admiration than going far beyond what anyone asked you to do.
@@stevemeska7784 pilot is living off the government teet, nobody asked him to join the military, he did it because he wanted to do what you’re trained to thank him for
@@REPR100 If you'd watched the video you'd know he isn't a pilot. He served 3 years in the US Army and then a full career as a US Navy officer. He's not living on the government "teat" as you said. He earned his retirement, just like anyone else who works a full long career does. His choice of career was more exceptional and dangerous than some others, perhaps, but he also paid, and is paying, his taxes just like anyone else is. So I'd say he deserves every bit as much respect from you as any other taxpayer.
This man and so many like him have given so much to this country. So much respect for him. Shot down, horrible treatment as a POW and back to flight status and XO at Top Gun? Damn this guy is a warrior!
A steely eyed missile man if there ever was one. He’s tired now, his words falter, but 50 years ago this guy was a bad-ass of the highest caliber. Taking on six mugs and living to tell the tale is nothing to sneeze at. Living through the Hanoi Hilton doubly so. I salute you.
No. Steely eyes missile men were rocket scientists, not pilots.
He is still just as bad ass, don't kid yourself son.
I was a USAF F-4 electrician at Udorn, Thailand in '72 and '73. Linebacker II in December '72 was the last air campaign of the Vietnam war. North Vietnam signed the peace accords on January 27th, '73. The Vietnam war was over. The prisoners in the Hanoi Hilton were released in March of '73. Watching this brought back many memories of that time. I'm glad he survived and made this video.
Thank you for your service.
Thank you Sir for your brave and humble service. My Dad was a Fighter Pilot in WWII, Korea & 3 combat tours in Viet Nam. I followed in my Dads footsteps by going to the AF Academy and also becoming a Fighter Pilot. My Dad lost so many of his friends in combat from 3 wars. I lost friends too In Afghanistan & Iraq. I lost 46 friends who died in aircraft crashes in peace time & combat. My Dad served 36 years and I served 34 in the USAF and 9 as an Air Force SES after I retired. My Dad was shot down twice, once in Korea & once in Viet Nam. Both my Dad’s stories and my stories are interesting because of the Airman who so bravely served our great country!!!
God bless you and your Dad and thank you for serving our country.
Thanks to you and your dad for your service!!
Thank you for your service you said you were a fighter pilot too what did you fly f-16s are my favorite but if I had a second choice it would have been the f-15 model E strike eagles???
My dad flew the RF-4 which means he shot them with a camera. He would take pictures of bridges, airfields or what ever needing film on and he would do it however, he had no weapons to protect himself. No guns, bombs just Chaff against missiles. His job was just as dangerous in Vietnam because he would go in twice a before & after pictures.
I was in electronics school (1982) w/a young man who serviced the rf-4 's camera film. It was fascinating. I later trained as an A&P mechanic, non- military 😕 👍 🇺🇲
Kudos to your Dad.
Excellent story and bravery. Thanks to all our Veterans who served. Semper Fi.
Ronald "Mugs" McKeown and John C. "Jack" Ensch were both featured in an episode of the television series Dogfights. The episode is called "MiG Killers of Midway.”
He's clearly aged a lot more over the last 15 years.
One of my favorites
@@ivantheteribul : Shock, horror, the guy looks 15yrs older, than he did 15yrs ago. That's called life mate.
Great series 👍 kzhead.info/sun/dcejZNhumYujgqc/bejne.html
@@ivantheteribulI mean, that happens.
Now if you will all remember doesn't this fight sound very similar to the original maverick fight? Because it is. I was in VF-161 with these guys. I was a plane captain and flight deck troubleshooter for these guys. I remember both these days very well. The joy of getting two Mig kills and then the loss of a crew and fellow sailor. I am so proud to have been a link in this chain. Glad to see you still chugging along Mr. Ensch. Mac from the line shack.
So, is the loss you mentioned Mike, Jack's pilot on his last combat hop? I was waiting to hear the fate of the pilot but may have missed it. Like you, I have a link to this story: Mugs McKeown. Mugs served in VF-154 in 1965 aboard the Coral Sea (CVA-43). I was in that squadron at the same time and worked on all our 15 or so airplanes, including the one(s) Mugs flew. VF-154 had F-8D Crusaders in those days and I have fond memories of maintaining those birds. We transitioned to F-4Bs at MIramar after that 11 month combat cruise, but I always favored the F-8 from a maintainer's perspective. Randy Kelso, former AQF2, VF-154 1964-66, USN 1962-66. Semper Fixit!
as you were up there, us Hole snipes keep things going, you Airedales get all the glory,71-74 MM3
@@richardlovejoy7875 Richard, thank you for keeping things going down in the hole, doing a hot, dirty, thankless job. Many airdale jobs are also hot, dirty and thankless. Unfortunately, we have no control over who gets the glory any more than you do. I don't know anyone who signed up to get glory in the first place. All I know is that we were issued orders out of boot camp that landed us in our assigned billets just like everybody else. Most of us did not get to choose our jobs but those jobs all had to be done. I for one appreciate every snipe and all the others who were as much a part of the team as we. Thank you for your service to our country. You are not forgotten. And you are greatly appreciated.
@@richardlovejoy7875 Yes you guys did and on a ship older than most of us. No water = no catapults, no speed = no launching. You are part of that link as we all were. all the best.
“It was tough” understatement of the century.
From an old USAF KC-135 pilot, my thanks and thoughts go out to you for being a hero in my eyes for doing what you had to do. For my money, it's like landings, if you walked away, it was was a good landing. So, thank you for your service and welcome home.
Well I say this brother thank you for your service flying a kc-135 is a gas station in the air man that's no joke to be able to refuel somebody in the air as far as I know they still have the kc-135 I know they're the stratosphere now I believe so they're revamped but you're a hero 2
These oral histories are invaluable. Please don't stop recording these amazing stories.
I never knew Jack was a POW! I’m glad he survived being a prisoner of war and had his second life. Semper Fi!
This is literally unthinkable, there is no way anyone of us can put ourselves in his shoes and even begun to imagine going through that. This man is a beast, hero seems not enough. Thank you seems like it’s not enough but thank you Sir you are a true American.
I was a pilot in the military but never went through anything close to what he did. When he said it was about people, something unusual happens during the hardest times of your life. You hardly remember the kids you went to school with for 13 years, and only a few of the teachers. If you weren't with them after the academy you they fade to nothing. I couldn't tell you who was in my wedding or even who my best man was without going through pictures. I can tell about the guys I went through flight school, where they live, their wives names, how they met, about one who list a kid to cancer when he was a senior, feel their times of pain and joy, and even one who I was paired up with who SIEd because he broke under the pressure, yet we were together for a comparatively short time. It made sense out of why my dad cried so much when I was little when his friend who lived less than a mile from us, and who was with him in the Battle of the Bulge, committed suicide. He has more going on inside than most people can imagine. His wife probably also has a relationship with other wives from that time who lived on base at that time.
That's because the camaraderie between fighter pilots and usually military personnel is amazing you'll never find that kind of camaraderie in the streets and the civilian world and if you do it's very far and few and hold on to them
Much respect and honor for you sir and your fellow aviators. Thank you for your service and sacrifice 🙏
Great video. I’m really appreciating hearing these Vietnam Veterans tell their story. We just toured the Midway in San Diego. Lots of history on that ship. Pretty cool that I had the privilege to see where this guy served-makes it all the more real.
The USS Midway is an incredible experience, our museum ships are national treasures.
@American Veterans Center when inwas a kid in late 80s early 90s they'd let us tour active ships on the navy bases..super cool..those days are unfortunately over
I'm beginning to mountain biking and I'm planning a five-state bike packing expedition from Mississippi to California and that's one of my goals is to go see the Midway at the museum
Thanks for sharing your story. I wonder if you knew my uncle while you were captive. His story is similar to yours. You guys went through a lot together. He was Murphey Neal Jones, an Airforce F105 pilot shot down over Hanoi, and was a captive like you for 6.5 years. Thanks for your service and sacrifices
Thank you for sharing your story, service, sacrifice and courage to answer the call. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I was on the midway 1970 to 1973. I remember when we lost this bird. Finally glad to hear you made it home. God bless you.
He is a total humble badass man!
My grandfather was an F-4 pilot, he was shot down and died with his frontseater in Laos. Their remains were never recovered.
That is so sad... :(
THE real heroes in war are ones that never return.
The biggest honor and respect is to those who gave all. My warmest condolences to you.
True American Patriot. Thanks again Veterans center 👍
As a former Grunt & Iraq war veteran, I love our pilots - fixed and rotary alike. When the fly boys are over head you know everything is gonna workout. Thanks for your service good sir.
What a great guy, truly. So humble, nice. Amazing considering everything he experienced, accomplished
Thank you Captain Ensch, your a credit to our nation, thank you doesn't say enough !
Stand and salute this Redbird. Thank you sir for your sacrifice your lifelong memories both mentally and physically of what you endured. Thank you to your friends.
First and foremost thank you so so much for what you did for all of us back home. I spent 21 years in the Navy and couldn't even start to imagine what you and the rest went through. We owe everything to you guys. Hand Salute
One of the best interviews on this great service to his country
I’m a Air Force Disabled Veteran. I always loved the F-4s. I would Models of them before I Joined. I’m so glad he got back ok, and made it through being a POW. Lots didn’t. We had a Breifing from a former POW telling how they were Treated in those Camps, and it was Brutal. Thanks Captain for telling us your Story. Great Interview without interruptions. You are a True Hero Captain. God Bless you and I hope your Living the Good Life.👍❤️🇺🇦
These videos are the highlight of my day when I receive a notification from you guys
Thank you for watching Alex, we work very hard on each episode. It's important to share and preserve these stories.
thanks for your service to this country and to all of us Capt. Ensch
I'm a retired Naval Aircrewman, love this stuff.
What a guy. So much respect. Thank you for your service.
Amazing video and incredible story. Thank you so much for your service, sacrifice and courage, Sir! You are truly are American hero! My salute to you!
Great story, great man. Much respect from Australia.
Amazing man very lucky to have survived battle & Hanoi Hilton . A true hero . Honour & Respect . Lest we forget .
This Officer's interview caused me to weep some; I so greatly admire the quiet unassuming power of this Great Naval Aviator. God Bless him. GO NAVY
Kudos to you, sir. I've read 'Fighter Pilot' by Robin Olds, a WWII and Vietnam War ace who detailed the struggles of fighting these air battles in Vietnam. It seems that most of the battles he fought were against the hardheaded 'Brass' (the fat-assed blowhards 'in the rear with the gear') who kept sending them useless missiles that wouldn't track properly (Aim 3) so I salute you for carrying on.
Thank you for your service, Sir.
The first time I saw this gentleman and his pilot “Mugs” on tv I was hooked. Mugs was so obviously a pilots pilot and when paired with guys like “Fingers” it had to be magic!
Navy pilots were the best. I served aboard the USS Hancock 60-70 in VFP-63, photo recon. Rest in Peace Lt. Victor Patrick Buckley.
Any combat story the has a "F" and a "4" is a story I greatly appreciate.
Us too
Thank God for you. You are an inspiration,. May dad was a naval pilot in WWll, he was/is the best man I've ever known. You remind me of my dad.
What a bloke! So matter of fact. Humbling to hear your experiences, Sir
While I was stationed in Japan @ Tachikawa the Phantom jets had to land at Yakota. I would occasionally go over to the end of runway to watch the F4s land. They were beautiful and reminded me of the ducks back home landing on the Schroon river.
Thanks! This is important to have these stories documented, someday this new generation may become interested in there history, instead of the garbage their being taught in public schools today.
Thank you Wesley for your contribution, this will go right into funding a future interview with one of our heroes.
Served proudly with CAPT. Jack to bring 18 years of Navy vs Marine Corps All-Star Baseball Games to San Diego Padres fans. LEAD ON! Crash, USN (Ret.)
thank you sincerely for your service , you seem to be very level headed after the horror you went through. Prayers must have really helped. All the best from here on sir.
I was in VF-151, on the Midway 74-76 Hand Salute 🇺🇸
Sir, Thank you so much for your sacrifice and service . God bless you and keep you.
Thank you Sir!
Thanks for your service and sacrifice. Thanks for sharing your story of team work ,and people.
Thank you for your service. You are a hero and wish you the best. Such persistence and toughness. True badazz. What an amazing story.
Bless them All! The long and the short and the tall! A brotherhood. Which can't be broken.
Wow unbelievable story thank you so much for capturing this. God bless you sir
wow, that was awesome, thank you very much for making & sharing this 👍🙂
Thank you for this!!!!
Absolute legend.
Absolutely amazing. What a hero. What a gentleman. You low-life’s in Washington DC LEARN FROM THIS MAN. THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO EMULATE!!!!
Those scumbag could care less.
Who specifically are you rating as a low life? What does that mean? And what are your qualifications for judging others? Anyone can make a broad general statement without any facts to support it.
@@Doones51 Easy answer sir: the corrupt, swamp creatures in Washington DC, that long ago discarded any semblance of honoring and protecting the rights enshrined in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Things for which this brave and humble man fought for in Vietnam. Many of his comrades gave their last full measure. I directed my comment at treasonous entities within our government, that have an alternative agenda as their road map…and not the safeguarding of our liberty and freedoms. That’s who.
@@Doones51 he’s talking about most politicians who think they’re so special, valuable and mighty. However, most of them would be reduced to a crying blob of blubber begging for their mother if they were ever subjected to any stressful experience even remotely close to what this hero suffered!
That’s really offensive. Considering what public officials have to go through under the scrutiny & hate from ignorant people, it’s amazing that anyone runs for congress at all. If you hate our representatives so much and you are so smart, YOU should raise a couple million bucks and get yourself elected and do better. Have some decency and respect.
Thank you for your service and for sharing.
To all Veterans, thank you for your service!🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷
EVERY DAMNED ONE OF YOU ! ! ! I , Don't Care if you were a Fighter Pilot or were assigned to Mess Hall Duty . You're HERO'S One and All !
Why that flag?
That’s the Liberian flag lol
@@balllicker942 usa
@@randomclipsmilitary9056 why not
Brave, strong guy, those guys endured so much pain
I remember Commander Doyle in VF 161. I was in VA 56 at the time. Time just slips us by
Thanks to this veteran and his comrads !
Thank you for your service
Welcome home dear sir. My father and grandfather both served in the Navy. Grandpa in WW2 and dad 56-60 with the Black Aces. Dad took us to Travis AFB here in Northern California in 73 to Welcome back the POW's. It is something that I will always remember and cherish as well as disdain for the protestors that were also there. God bless you sir and the country for having people like you to permit us to remain free.
Just great video, amazing man, a real hero. Cheers to him
Wow. I salute you. Thank you from my heart for your service. Brave. Love you sharing you story. F4 Crew Chief. Love that Bird.
Wow... God bless this man...He gave so much for our country . He must be in pain to see what has happened to America today..
I have such admiration for these men. Thank you.
Thank you John!
Great story. Thanks for your service and valor sir.
Thank-you for your service
I was a POW in Iraq and it was the worst time of my life quite honestly I still have nightmares and I'm extremely grateful for ur service sir
Thank you for your service. I'm glad you made it home safely. I know that had to be terrifying.
@@marketablepresentations7824 worst time of my life luckily they didn't torture as bad as veitnam soldiers did I don't think I'd be sane after that
@@charlestarver2744 what was the situation That caused you to be captured if I may ask?
@@marketablepresentations7824 of course I made a mistake tried to help a kid and his dad was the enemy
@@charlestarver2744 how long were you a POW? You are a hero with a good heart trying to help a child. My uncle was in Vietnam and lost a friend this way. It's horrible how these scumbags use children.
God Bless you. Keep up the good work.
Great guy. He was my commanding officer at NAS Key West in 1991.
Thank You so much for your service Dear American Sir.😊😇🥰😍🤗❤🤍💙💪👍
A privilege to hear the experience of these brave people. Sincere respect.
🇺🇸 Thank You for you service and for sharing your experience.
We must never forget the sacrifice and courage that Capt. Ensch gave and the great things he did for our country. Pass on. these tales of valor and talk to your friends and family about other that you know that have heroic stories like this. I knew Vice Admiral Stockdale and Vice Admiral Martin who both spent nearly 7 years in captivity. Their stories are so inspiring. Please read In Love and War, which chronicles Admiral Stockdale's experience and any others that peak your interest. My grandfather was the number 2 medical officer aboard the USS Columbia in the Pacific during WW2. His ship was hit by three kamikazes in 24 hours and he endured awful horrific days operating and trying to save many on his crew. When he eventually returned home to Coronado, he was never the same man. Always remember these men and their sacrifices. Never forget.
This fine gentleman captured my full respect and admiration. May God bless him.
Some people were asking about the pilot Doyle, Michael William, CDR; From the honor wall. ( Casualty Date Aug 25, 1972 Cause MIA-Died in Captivity Reason Air Loss, Crash Land Location Vietnam, North (Vietnam) Wall/Plot Coordinates 01W 069 / SECT 65, SITE 4077 ) May G-D rest his soul.
I was wondering why he didn’t mention the fate of his pilot.
@@djmech3871 Some things hurt to much to talk about.
Who is G-D
@@jimhice7485 It's a jewish thing. I would imagine that you can figure it out.
Thank you Sir for your service .I salute you. We are brothers in arms we served at different times. You are a hero. Our Nation owes you a debt of gratitude. My God be with you and your family.
In response to Thomas Mapson. ,my daughter worked for an arthritis doctor (longley) in Chiefland Florida who flew F105sin Vietnam and was the same, as humble and common as a man could be. Wish I could have spent more time with him.
That was an amazing story. GOD bless you and and your mate. You are quite a man, God bless.
Toooooo short. There must be a longer version
My generation of men, like This Captain, were pretty darn special too. Another great generation of warriors. They have my extreme respect.
I was commissioned a 2nd Lt in the Marine Corps in May 1968 and I took command of my platoon in Vietnam in December 1968. My training was basically conventional WW II / Korean War tactics and we trained with the M-14 rifle. We had almost no training related to Vietnam. When I arrived in Vietnam, I was issued an M-16 rifle which I had heard of but had never trained with. I was embarrassed that my Marines in my platoon had to show me how to disassemble and cleat it. I didn't like the M-16 for two reasons: it jammed a lot, and it didn't have much penetration power against buildings, logs, etc. So I always had one Marine in each of my three squads have an M-14 which had a much greater penetrating power. This confused the logistics resupply because I would be requesting both 5.56 and 7.56 ammo. The other big advantage the M-14 had was that you could fire rifle grenades from it and the M-16 didn't have that option. So I was also requesting resupply of rifle grenades which were difficult to get. I loved the M-14. You couldn't carry as much ammo as the M-16, but it was more reliable, more powerful, and it gave my squads a mortar like capability in a firefight. The danger was that it fired a special cartridge and if you got confused and tried to fire a rifle grenade with a standard bullet, the results would have been catastrophic. True, we did have an M-79 in each squad with a 40 mm explosive round, but it didn't have the range or the explosive power of the rifle grenade. Combine the 40 mm M-79 with the M-14 rifle grenade with the 60 mm mortar team I had attached to me, and it was formattable capability in a firefight in 1969 in Vietnam although the M-14 was not normal issue. In those days you had to get whatever you needed buy whatever means to improve my Marines' chances of survival. And I did just that with several other capabilities. It wasn't forbidden to do what I did, but it was difficult to obtain and resupply some of the things I did. The Marine Corps did try to inject new technology into my platoon, but they all failed because those who developed the technologies didn't understand the combat environment. Anyway, I'm 78 now and God bless the military that must face combat today. It isn't easy, it isn't pretty, but the spirit and aggressiveness can overcome a lot of the technological problems.
Beautiful demeaner Thank you for your service and keeping me from Viet Nam . I did join US Naval Aviation and heard Admiral Stockton speak at my 1978 graduation. Again, Thank You.
RESPECT RESPECT RESPECT RESPECT RESPECT!!!!! Thank you Sir, and those like you!!!
This is one interview that should inspire other Naval Air vets to come forward with their stories. Captain Colin Haines is someone I'd like to hear from.
Salute to you sir Thanks for your service and bad ass to fly f4 and f14s two of my favorite fighters
Remember years ago seeing the interview with Mug's , the Man was a born Pilot the " Backflip " move was fantastic to think he did it..great Vid.
I. Watched. This... and. With. The. Ejection.... and. Capture.....the. only. Words. I. Can. Think. Of..... At. This. Point....are. admiration. ...and. respect....i.m. a. Civilian.. but. I. Salute. You....... have. A. Nice. Day.....
I learned to use a compass in the Boy Scouts. Such a handy tool; in war & and in life.
Thank you for your service and thank you for telling your story! We must not forget the price of freedom!
Sir, thank you, you are a great American!
They talk about men like this having balls of steel. No. BALLS OF LEAD! Thanks Darlin for your expertise and service.