Korat Royal Thai Air Base

Welcome! Many of us who were temporary inhabitants of Korat RTAFB, might have heard of, seen, been in the company of, or gotten in the way of Roscoe. Roscoe was unique. Many stories have been told of his life and times on the Air Base. His presence in briefings, or in the Clubs is the basis for many "legend" type stories. Many are true, and many are the maybe slightly exaggerated as a result of one too many "pops", or the passing of time and decreasing gray matter! Regardless, thousands of people have knowledge of Roscoe, and he has secured his place in history. He has been documented in published articles and books, and the presence of his marker on the current Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base still elicits comments and questions about his life.

Captain Merrill Ray Lewis, Jr.

Killed in Action - 20 July 66

Roscoe came to Korat as the pet of Ray Lewis, a 105 pilot from Japan in 1966.  He followed Ray everywhere, and when Ray flew a mission he waited for him at ops.  When Ray was shot down, Roscoe stayed at ops until the last crews left.  He then came to the club and looked every where for his departed master.  Later that night he came to the door of every hooch where the crews lived looking (for Ray).  From then on, Roscoe was the jock's dog.  I personally witnessed this. 

Official Roscoe. (USAF photos; matrix arranged by Otto Uebel)

While a member of 388th Hospital Group in 1971, I talked to the base veterinarian who had just been ordered by the base commander to eliminate all dogs on base including Roscoe. The vet told me that in doing this he would incur the anger of every fighter jock on the base and his own physical health could be in jeopardy. However he did follow his orders, and asked me to witness the following: He laced some hamburger meat with enough lethal drugs to kill several large dogs, and gave it to Roscoe out on a field. Roscoe ate it all and left the area. Roscoe was not seen the rest of that day. Nor was he seen the next day. But on the third day Roscoe reappeared at KABOOM a little wobbly on his legs. It was like watching the return of the dead--the second resurrection. The base vet had followed his orders, but it seems that Roscoe was meant to remain on the base, which he did until his death in 1975. No other attempt was made to remove Roscoe. Indeed the vet said he would not do it again even if ordered. This euthenasia order was the most insane order that I could imagine to demoralize the troops, right up there with taking away the Aussie type hats which was ordered about the same time.
(Name withheld by request)

Roscoe made multiple round trips daily between the KABOOM and Fort Apache. I would often see him in the parking lots of those places, waiting for guys in green goatskins to get into a vehicle, knowing they were most probably headed for his destination. (Even if that wasn't the case, the driver would always make a detour to drop Roscoe at his stop!) Sometimes you would see him wait for a time, pace impatiently, then decide to "hoof it" because no riding opportunity developed, and take off trotting down the road.

-- Terry Guyton

Bicycles were used by almost everyone on the base. Cyclists were a common sight, and Roscoe paid no attention to Americans on bikes. But let him catch sight of a Thai on a bike and he would give chase, nipping at their feet and barking. And the poor victim knew better than to kick out at Roscoe in defense!

-- Terry Guyton

Hey! Why isn't my table ready?
(photo courtesy of Bill Koch)

I was at Korat in the 34th TFS from 30 May 74 to approximately 30 May 75 (after the war). Roscoe was kind of old and fat when I arrived at Korat. He used to sleep under the pool table at the O'club. Also, once he slept in the Wing Commander's chair in the main briefing room. The Wing Commander, Col. Russell I believe, moved over and sat in the next chair. He said, " I know when I am out ranked."

-- Bob "Rocky" Wall Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.)

The club officer tried to have him thrown out of the club. There was a lot of hell raised over that. So the squadron paid his club dues and Roscoe had his own club card from then on.

-- Bob "Rocky" Wall Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.)

Another thing I recall is seeing pictures of Roscoe and his "teelok", a stray bitch that wandered around the base, posted at various places on the base with text in English and Thai saying "do not shoot this dog" - a warning to the cops that he and his girl were under the protection of the commander.

-- Terry Guyton

Roscoe had a teelock too. Her name was "Pave Dog". She was a black Labrador and about two years old. She could run rings around Roscoe. I don't think anyone ever saw the two ever getting it on together though. At his age Roscoe cared more about the kitchen at the O'club and stayed close by. Pave Dog on the other hand was a bar fly. She stayed mainly at the CTF, short for Crew Training Facility. Guys would give her beer and she would really get plastered. I have seen her too drunk to walk on several occasions.

-- Bob "Rocky" Wall - Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.)

Portions of correspondence from Tom Johnson to Charley Holton in February 2008 (edited):

I am Tom Johnson. I was crew chief on F-105D 62-4308 . I did launch your brother on his last mission . I did not know him well . We had shot the breeze together a time or two over a cool one . His reputation preceded him , he was a real leader in combat, a S.H. pilot.  I heard that he asked about me , since we came from different sqds. at Yakota . and he told me that he had heard good stuff about me . He said we are going to get along fine . I told him lets put a red star on "our" plane. He told me he wanted the same and would do his best . 
<------>  I must admit that when i got your e mail today i was surprised. I had to stop and compose myself , tears did come to my eyes . I was the last person to talk to him face to face.  He was a good brave warrior and the family should be proud.  I know i am proud of him , and I grieve to this day.  I also knew Roscoe, as we went to Korat on the same acft.

From a follow-up letter :

I would like to mention ( since I was there ) when Roscoe went to Korat we asked the flight crew on the transport if there was any problem with a dog on the plane.  They replied, "we don't see any dog , what are you talking about ???" That's the real deal on how Roscoe got to Korat.  Roscoe and your brother are legends with 34th T.F.S.  I am proud to have been a small part of it ......

Tom Johnson, February 2008

Roscoe with his patches.
(photo courtesy of Bane Lyle)

(Unsolicited email received November 10, 2008.  Published with the authors permission)

Dear Mr. Freitag,

Many years ago, while in Vietnam, I read an article in Stars and Strips about Roscoe.  (I do have a good memory.) And at that time, I wondered if the dog had any connection to my uncle Ross Anderson. Uncle Ross and my Uncle Ken were both MIG killers in Korea BTW – and they married sisters who were both my aunts.  I never thought about it again until one time I was on a Delta flight about 10 years ago. I was sitting next to a Delta Captain talking about flying.  I told him I was a single engine Piper jock – and he laughed.  I asked him where he got his training and he said he was a military pilot in Vietnam.  The story got around to him being stationed in Thailand – so I asked him if he knew Roscoe? He went white and asked me how I knew about Roscoe.  So I told him what I just told you. 

Now, last night I (for some reason) googled Capt. Roscoe Anderson and your article came up.  It’s taken 38 years for the story to come full circle.  Roscoe was indeed named after my uncle Ross, who was killed in a 105 at Yakota.  After his death my aunt and cousins came to live with us in South Western Ohio.  My Aunt and cousins are still alive and well, living in California.  Uncle Ken still lives in Northern California.  Thank you for your web site.  It brought back a great memory. 

Tim Dold

(Unsolicited email received because of the email directly above, which brings us back full circle if you read the opening statement - I have changed the color of the statement I'm referring to.  Published with the authors permission.)

Bob,
I'd like to introduce myself, my name is Douglas Anderson. My father was Roscoe E. Anderson whom the dog Roscoe was named after.  I heard about your site and the article from my cousin Tim Dold, who just today contacted me about the site and the articles about the dog.

I first heard about Roscoe back in 75, when the article came out in the Issue of TAC, and the story of Passing of a Friend. I was a crew chief on F-4C's, stationed at Luke AFB. I had joined the Air Force back in Dec of 74 and after Tech School was assigned to Luke.  I remember the day I read the article because like I said I had never heard the story.  After work, I called my mother and asked her about it and it was news to her also. I tried to contact somebody at the base pr office, thinking they might direct me to more info but to no avail.  I even wrote the folks at TAC hoping to get more info. Nada.

Through out my career I was always looking for more info and did get to see, via checking out a video from the base Audio Visual library, that had a small piece that included about 90 seconds or so that showed the dog. The video was transferred from film made sometime in the late sixties or early 70 as I remember.

Anyway, jump to 1990. I was now a Tech Sergeant stationed at Clark AFB in the Philippines in Quality Assurance. We got word that they needed someone to TDY to Korat for Cobra Gold 90. Needless to say there was no way I wasn't going to be on that TDY. After arriving   I found out that the grave site was in front of the old Officers Club. The plaque back then was a piece of brass with the name Roscoe in black paint. It was heavily corroded.  I thought that it needed to be upgraded. I contacted the Thai base commanders office and after a few phone calls and some yakking the next thing I knew it involved a Thai General.  After it was all explained as to who I was and what I wanted to do.  I was given permission to have a new marker made. I also asked and was given permission to keep the old marker after the new one was available. I have included a picture of the marker just from the stone cutters shop (photo below - right). It is made of black marble with gold inlayed letters.  A side story to the whole TDY, just after I had new marker made, I made Master Sergeant and had gotten my line number while I was there.

The original marker, after I cleaned it up, is now in a wooden glass case I had made once I got back to PI. 
(see photo below)

Now as to the origin of Roscoe. I remember Ray Lewis as far back as 1962 when we were stationed at Macdill AFB in Florida. I believe that's when my dad and Ray met. They went to F-105 school at   Nellis AFB in 63. We had a dog named Ginger, a female German Shepard. She went with us when were stationed to Japan and she had a litter of puppies when we there. First stationed at Hakata AB, then up to Yokota. My mom nor I can remember if Ray got one of the pups back in 64 or not. Ray was assigned to escort us, my mother brother and I after my dad was killed in Sep of 64. I will always have great thoughts of Ray. He was Rock when my mom, brother and I needed one. My last vision of him was at the ceromony at the Golden Gate National Cementary where my dad is buried.

 I don't know if the dog was one Gingers pups or not. I think maybe he was.  I would like to think it was anyway.

Well hope this info helps in some way. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or info that might help.

Doug Anderson

Courtesy of Janet Lewis (via Dave McNeil - 2009)

Me, Buck (son) and pups
Roscoe has floppy ears, Watasi pointed.

Watasi belonged to Lee & Gail Thornton, our
next door neighbors so pups were together.
I do not remember who had 3rd pup

-- Janet Lewis (via Dave McNeil 2009)

Our kids, Merrill (Buck) and Tamara, sitting on sofa with a much older Roscoe.

-- Janet Lewis (via Dave McNeil 2009)

Both dogs had come inside to play and get lots of attention.

-- Janet Lewis (via Dave McNeil 2009)

Roscoe and the bear at Korat.

--Janet Lewis (via Dave McNeil 2009)

Roscoe and Col. Sherrill at Korat.

--Janet Lewis (via Dave McNeil 2009)

Korat Revisited by Frosty Sheridan.

--Janet Lewis (via Dave McNeil 2009)

(click on the image to open a pdf of the article.)

Received an email from Peter Anderson, whose oldest brother was Capt. Roscoe E. Anderson.  He provided this site with a composition entitled "The Man Behind the Name Roscoe".  Thank you Peter for sharing this with us! July 2009

Click the icon below to read the PDF document.

"I arrived at KRTAFB in May of 68 as a member of the 44TFS.  Some time that summer or fall Admiral U S Grant Sharp, PACOM Commander, came through Korat on a farewell tour as he was retiring.  All of us who were available assembled in Richter Hall and the admiral gave some kind of talk.  The room was crowded and many of us including me sat on the floor to hear the great mans words.  I don’t remember a thing he said but I remember Roscoe like it was yesterday.  He took up a position IN one of the front row seats and then proceeded to sleep through the admirals talk.  I was a mere captain but we had several colonels in the room.  Nobody bothered Roscoe.  I knew right then that Roscoe outranked me and was not to be trifled with.  I used to have some stills with Roscoe in them but alas I lost them during a move. "

Jim Logan, a WW EWO from May 68 – May 69 (Received August 29, 2009)