San Diego icon and local Harley-Davidson business owner, New York Myke, Rode to “The Wall” in support of the ‘Rolling Thunder’s’ mission and his own personal dedication to a beloved friend. The ‘Rolling Thunder’ is dedicated to raising our consciousness on the POW/MIA issue. Their goal is to “Help correct the past and to protect future veterans from being left behind should they become Prisoners of War-Missing in Action.” Rolling Thunder, INC. are also committed to helping American veterans from all wars. Every Memorial Day weekend, Riders from across our great nation rally in DC to support the Rolling Thunder’s mission. Every member of the ‘Rolling Thunder’ donates his or her time because they believe in the importance of addressing the POW/MIA issue.

New York Myke has been riding to “The Wall” for the past 33 years, however this year’s Ride was dedicated in honor of his recently passed and close friend, Captain Alfred “Fred” Platt, U.S. Air Force, Retired.

After 745 combat missions and being shot down 11 times, no wonder Capt. Fred Platt earned the nickname “Fred ‘MAGNET ASS’ Platt.”
Although, Platt is eligible for burial at Arlington National Cemetery, he was a “true” Texan and insisted that he be buried on Texas soil, where a military funeral was performed on May 18th at Houston’s National Cemetery. Hundreds of friends, comrades and family attended, including dedicated and loyal friend New York Myke from San Diego, CA. When NY Myke was “blessed” by receiving some of Platt’s ashes, he knew this year’s Ride to “The Wall” would be dedicated in his friends honor.

A 1958 graduate of San Jacinto High School, Platt graduated from The University of Texas in 1963 and then on to Air Force Officer Candidate School. During the Vietnam War, Platt was determined to participate in combat air strikes in Southeast Asia to defend and protect our ground troops that were dying in rapid numbers. Disappointedly, he initially was sent to traffic school because there weren’t enough slots open for pilot school.

This fiery “Cowboy,” (a name originally given by his fellow comrades), had a burning desire to serve in Southeast Asia with the men that were givin’ it all for their country. At first he was told he couldn’t fight with his fellow servicemen because he was an officer. Infuriated with the bureaucracy, Fred took leave in 1964 to write a study on why officers weren’t allowed to serve in Southeast Asia. The study impressed the chain of command so much, they instead sent his Commanding Officer to Southeast Asia. The CO was not pleased.

Platt’s tenacity, eventually came to fruition and he was sent to pilot school where he earned his wings and was commissioned on his 23rd birthday, Feb 4, 1964. Ironically, five years later, on Fred’s 28th birthday, he was shot down for the first time in Laos.

While stationed in Arkansas learning to fly B-52s, he realized he was not going to be sent in for combat missions. Frustrated, yet still determined to fight with his compatriots, Platt instead volunteered to go over as a Forward Air Controller. It took him only 10 days to complete the six-month course and he went directly from flying the B-52s to flying the O-1s (“Bird Dog” propeller aircraft). “The O-1,” he explained, “is the air boss who controls all air sorties. Flying around finding targets on your own or going to an area which is preplanned for targets.”

Platt finally made it to Southeast Asia to protect and serve with his brothers at war. Shortly after his arrival, a CIA recruiter came to his base and told him, “We want you.”

He became a member of the specialized secret group operating in Laos called “The Ravens.” Platt stated, “We worked closely with the Air America people, but were considered a separate Black Operation and not under direct Air Force control. We worked for a feudal tribesman, who worked for the U.S. government and was an operational head who specked out operations. His troops kept North Vietnam from taking over the South.”

Platt explained that Air America was an offshoot of the Flying Tigers. In Laos it was the civilian airline that hauled supplies. “Roughly 5 percent of Air America was doing the Black Ops, taking road-watch teams and dropping them off deep in enemy territories,” he recounted. “They flew highly valuable people and cargo.”

During his 745 combat missions, “MAGNET ASS” Platt was shot down 11 times and was rescued from behind enemy lines three times. In his final crash landing, Platt was left paralyzed from the neck down and eventually with great perseverance, a year later he was able to walk again.

Platt was awarded a Silver Star, 3 Purple Hearts and 3 DFCs (Distinguished Flying Crosses), amongst many other decorations. He received 48 decorations while serving in Southeast Asia and was recommended for a collection of other medals, which were downgraded or dropped due to an unjust physical conflict with a Colonel while he was still recovering from his injuries that almost ended up in a wrongful court martial. His amazing story is depicted in author Christopher Robbins book, “The Ravens,” which tells the story of “The Men Who Flew in America’s Secret War in Laos.”

New York Myke made his Ride to “The Wall” and honorably served his brother Platt by distributing his ashes alongside his fellow brothers. A sacred wall dedicated to all the great men fallen during the Vietnam War. May peace and unity be found within the names of his fallen brothers and fellow American Heroes.

Homeland Magazine would like to pay tribute to an extraordinary man and great patriot, deceased Capt. Alfred “Fred” Platt, U.S. Air Force Retired. An American veteran that was determined to serve our country for the love of his brothers and to preserve our freedom. His determination and perseverance will never be forgotten. God Bless you always.

-Written by, photojournalist CJ Machado & Thomas McBrien