Former enemy pilots share their story with SJ community

  • Published
  • By 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Two years ago, they were long-lost enemies brought together by a series of coincidences that showed war for what it often is: a disagreement between friends who just haven't had a chance to meet yet.

Since that time, former enemy pilots retired Brig. Gen. Dan Cherry and Nguyen Hong My formed an unlikely friendship. Both pilots will visit Seymour Johnson Air Force Base to discuss General Cherry's book "My Enemy ... My Friend" at 4:30 p.m. June 4 in the community center.

General Cherry and Mr. Nguyen are reuniting for the third time in three years to promote Cherry's book chronicling the unlikely friendship that developed between the two men who fought on opposite sides of the war, and the resulting healing and reconciliation that their journey has inspired along the way.

On April 16, 1972, at 15,000 feet in the skies near Hanoi, North Vietnam, then Maj. Dan Cherry first met Lt. Nguyen Hong My. In an intense five-minute aerial battle, Cherry shot down the MiG-21 piloted by Hong My. Cherry returned safely to base. Hong My parachuted out of the burning plane and luckily survived but was severely injured. His arms were broken, and three vertebrae were badly injured so he could no longer fly. He felt desperate but was lucky to be alive.

Thirty-six years later, Cherry and Hong My met face to face in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, for the first time since that fateful day and have become good friends.

All proceeds from the sale of the book go to the Aviation Heritage Park perpetual maintenance fund to protect and maintain historic aviation artifacts.

For information about ordering the book, visit www.aviationheritagepark.com.  

(Editors note: Rob Bardua from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force contributed to this article)