During the Vietnam War, many Americans were surprised to read of gold offered to North Vietnamese soldiers and Viet Cong Guerillas. This offer was an attempt to persuade the enemy to aid American pilots forced down over Communist held territory. For example, early in the war the enemy shot down Lieutenant George E. Flynn's A-1 Skyraider while flying somewhere over Dong Thai. U. S. Aircraft dropped leaflets offering $35,000 in Vietnamese currency for the safe return of the pilot. "$35,000 reward. The Department of the Air Force of the United States of America offers a reward of $35,000VN for the recovery of, or information leading to the recovery of Lt. George E. Flynn, who is a pilot of the U.S. Air Force. Lt. Flynn was flying in an A1E Skyraider, last seen Wednesday morning, 23 September 1964, flying over the Dong Thai outpost, Hieu Le District, Kien Giang Province...After giving the information and collecting the money, the bearer of this leaflet will be completely free to come and go as he pleases. Signed: Commander, U.S. 2nd Air Division."
There are virtually hundreds of cases where warring nations have made cash offers to the enemy. Sometimes the money is for defections or weapons. Other times it is for aid to friendly personnel or to purchase loyalty to a friendly government. We are going to discuss one of the most amazing of the reward campaigns, the attempt to steal a combat-ready Russian MiG-15 Fighter for one hundred thousand dollars. This entire operation is a mystery. There is still a great deal of doubt about who first conceived the idea of stealing a Russian Fighter plane. To make it even more interesting, there is some doubt as to whether anyone ever really expected to get an aircraft.
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