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Home for Expats and Military Veterans that have served in a US foreign conflict or designated war.
Chartered on 21 January 1971 at Korat Air Force Base at the height of the Vietnam War with over 50,000 military personnel stationed in Thailand.
Korat AFB Wing 1 - had USAF personnel assigned from Apr 1962-Mar 1976
August 1964 First Combat Flight Missions began
April 1966 388th Tactical Fighter Wing established 421st Tactical Fighter Sqd
Renamed as of 14 May 1973 “Karl W. Richter Memorial VFW Post 10217”
Why KWR? - 1st Lt. Richter - First Combat Fighter Pilot who died while on his 198th Mission over N.Vietnam from Korat AFB on 28 July 1967.
Remains are interned at USAF Academy Cemetary Colorado Springs, CO
Youngest Pilot(23) to shoot down a MIG-17 on 21 September 1966
Flew F-105 Thunderchief Fighter Jets (Thuds) achieving his 100th Combat Flights Flown on 13 October 1966.
The Post continues to operate today with approx 150 members living Stateside and in Thailand.
In addition to taking care of it’s Veterans, Spouses, and children, the Post provides Community Service locally in supporting needy programs averaging several million baht over the years.Post 10217 achieved 50 years of existence on 21 January 2021, celebration was denied due to COVID-19 local Thai restrictions on group meetings. Post 10217 is part of District V, Thailand, Department of Pacific Areas
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