Nguyễn Văn Cốc

1.1. Childhood and Family

Nguyễn Văn Cốc was born in December 1942 in Bích Sơn commune, Việt Yên district (now Bích Động ward, Việt Yên town), Bắc Giang Province, in what was then French Indochina, north of Hanoi. His family was deeply involved in the Vietnamese independence movement; his father, Nguyễn Văn Bảy, who was the Chairman of the Viet Minh in the Việt Yên district, was killed by French forces in 1947 when Cốc was five years old. His uncle, also a Viet Minh member, was killed as well. Fearing further repercussions from the French, his mother relocated the family. They settled near Chu air base, an experience that ignited young Nguyễn Văn Cốc's fascination with aircraft and set him on his future career path. Interestingly, his father's name, Nguyễn Văn Bảy, is the same as another famous Vietnamese MiG-17 ace, Nguyễn Văn Bảy.

1.2. Education and Military Training

Nguyễn Văn Cốc attended Ngô Sĩ Liên school in Bắc Giang. Upon completing his schooling in 1961, he enlisted in the Vietnamese People's Air Force (VPAF), then known as the Quan Chung Khong Quan. He underwent his initial flight training at the preliminary flight school at Cat Bi Airbase in Haiphong, which was then designated as Battalion 95 of the Air Force Department. In August 1962, he was part of a group of 120 pilot trainees sent to the Soviet Union for advanced training. He spent four years undergoing intensive pilot training at Soviet Air Force bases in Bataysk and Krasnodar. Of the 120 trainees in his draft, he was one of only seven who successfully graduated as a MiG-17 pilot in November 1964, among a total of 17 MiG-17 pilots who completed the course.

After a brief period of service back in North Vietnam with the 921st Sao Do (Red Star) Fighter Regiment, he was selected to return to the Soviet Union for conversion training to the more advanced MiG-21, including training on the two-seat MiG-21U. He rejoined the 921st Fighter Regiment in June 1965 and began operational flying duties in December 1965. While studying in the Soviet Union, he was admitted to the Labor Party of Vietnam (now the Communist Party of Vietnam) in 1966. He returned to the Red Star Regiment in early 1967.

2.1. Operational Flying and Tactics

Flying a MiG-21PF (Fishbed D), Nguyễn Văn Cốc typically served as a wingman, or "number 2," in a two-aircraft formation. His primary responsibility in this role was to provide cover and observe the enemy, allowing the "number 1" pilot to engage. However, Cốc innovated this standard tactic, developing an approach that earned him the nickname "Hawk Number 2" (Chim cắt số 2^Vietnamese). He actively participated in destroying enemy aircraft alongside his flight leader, significantly increasing the combat efficiency of his unit. While a standard MiG-21 flight, typically armed with only two missiles per aircraft, could at most shoot down two enemy planes, Cốc's improved tactics allowed his flight to potentially down three enemy aircraft. This required the number 2 pilot to anticipate and act very quickly to seize opportunities. His creative tactical approach was adopted into the VPAF's training curriculum and combat practices, greatly enhancing the air force's effectiveness and earning the admiration of even American pilots. All of his confirmed victories were achieved using the heat-seeking Vympel K-13 (also known as R-3S Atoll) missile.

2.2. Air Combat Victories

Nguyễn Văn Cốc is credited by the VPAF with nine to eleven air-to-air combat kills of United States aircraft and two to three AQM-34 Firebee/Lightning Bug unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during the Vietnam War. Of these, seven aircraft and two UAV kills have been acknowledged by the United States Air Force. It is noted that U.S. forces sometimes attributed aircraft losses to surface-to-air missiles rather than air-to-air combat, which was considered "less embarrassing," leading to occasional discrepancies in loss attribution. Cốc also claimed an F-4 Phantom and an F-105 Thunderchief in November and December 1967, respectively, but these claims do not have corresponding American losses recorded.

The following kills, while flying the MiG-21, have been credited to Nguyễn Văn Cốc by the VPAF:

• April 30, 1967**: A USAF F-105D piloted by Robert A. Abbott of the USAF 355th Tactical Fighter Wing. Abbott was captured as a POW. This marked Cốc's first air victory, achieved while he was serving as a wingman to flight leader Nguyễn Ngọc Độ, who also downed an F-105F in the same engagement over Hòa Bình and Sơn La provinces.
• August 23, 1967**: A USAF F-4D piloted by Carrigan (POW) with Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) Lane (KIA), from the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
• October 7, 1967**: A USAF F-105D piloted by Fullam (KIA), from the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
• November 18, 1967**: A USAF F-105D piloted by Reed (rescued), from the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing.
• May 7, 1968**: On the afternoon of May 7, 1968, Nguyễn Văn Cốc was part of a formation of three flights of MiG-21 fighters from the VPAF 921st Regiment, which included flights led by Đặng Ngọc Ngư and Nguyễn Văn Minh. They were redeploying towards Thọ Xuân Airport in response to the U.S. bombing halt above the 19th Parallel. Initially, due to a lack of coordination, the MiG-21 flights were mistakenly identified as U.S. fighter-bombers and were fired upon by North Vietnamese anti-aircraft artillery. Later, Ngư also briefly mistook an escorting flight of MiG-21s for U.S. fighters before realizing his error.

Later, Ngư and Cốc arrived over Do Luong, northeast of Vinh, and were informed of approaching enemy aircraft from the sea. These were a formation of five F-4B Phantom IIs from Fighter Squadron 92 (VF-92) of the USS Enterprise, led by Lieutenant Commander Ejnar S. Christensen with his RIO Worth A. Kramer. A U.S. Navy EKA-3A electronic warfare aircraft attempted to jam North Vietnamese communications but failed, allowing ground controllers to guide Cốc's flight towards their target.
During the engagement, confusion in radar control caused the F-4B formation to separate. Two AIM-7 missiles fired by the U.S. Navy fighters missed their targets. Cốc, initially low on fuel and considering disengaging, spotted an F-4B ahead of him at an altitude of 8.2 K ft ^{(2.50 K m)}. He immediately pursued the F-4B, which was flying out to sea, and successfully scored a hit after firing two R-3S Atoll missiles from an altitude of 4.9 K ft ^{(1.50 K m)}. The F-4B Phantom II burst into flames and crashed into the sea at 6:44 pm. This action marked the VPAF's first aerial victory over the airspace above Military Zone IV of North Vietnam and was Nguyễn Văn Cốc's seventh aerial victory. The U.S. Navy confirmed the downed F-4B as BuNo 151485, callsign Silver Kite 210, from VF-92 launched from the Enterprise. Both Lieutenant Commander E.S. Christensen and Lieutenant (junior grade) W.A. Kramer ejected safely and were recovered shortly after.

• June 4, 1968**: A USAF AQM-34 Firebee/Lightning Bug unmanned drone.
• November 8, 1968**: A USAF AQM-34 Firebee/Lightning Bug unmanned drone.
• August 3, 1969**: A USAF AQM-34 Firebee/Lightning Bug unmanned drone.
• December 20, 1969**: A USAF AQM-34 Firebee/Lightning Bug. This kill might correspond to an OV-10 Bronco whose two crew members died when it was shot down in the same area.

2.3. Notable Incidents and Ejections

Nguyễn Văn Cốc's combat career included several critical incidents, including two emergency ejections. On January 2, 1967, he was among a group of Vietnamese pilots who fell into a trap set by the United States Air Force's 8th Tactical Fighter Wing during Operation Bolo. In this engagement, Cốc and four other Vietnamese pilots were shot down shortly after takeoff due to inexperience and inability to react quickly to the enemy. All six pilots managed to eject safely, while the U.S. suffered no losses. Another instance required him to eject after his aircraft ran out of fuel during an air combat engagement.

The cessation of Operation Rolling Thunder on October 31, 1968, significantly reduced opportunities for further air combat. By early 1970, Nguyễn Văn Cốc was transferred from operational duties to a training academy. This strategic move allowed his invaluable combat experience to be utilized in training new pilots, including future ace Nguyễn Đức Soát, who would achieve five kills in 1972. Around the same time, another prominent MiG-17 ace, Nguyễn Văn Bảy, also transitioned to a training role.

3.1. Instructor and Training Role

After 1970, Nguyễn Văn Cốc was assigned to training new pilots, a decision that aligned with the VPAF's strategy to develop its corps of excellent flying aces. In this role, he imparted his extensive combat knowledge and experience to the next generation of air force personnel, contributing to the continuous improvement of the VPAF's operational capabilities. His mentorship was crucial in shaping future pilots, ensuring that the lessons learned from the intense aerial battles of the Vietnam War were passed down effectively.

3.2. Military Leadership and Command

Nguyễn Văn Cốc remained an integral part of the Vietnamese People's Air Force (now part of the Air Defense-Air Force Service). In September 1972, he was sent to the Gagarin Air Force Academy in the Soviet Union for further studies as an air force command officer. Upon his graduation in 1976, he returned to Vietnam and continued his service within the newly established Air Defense-Air Force Service.

His career progression was steady and distinguished:

• October 1977**: Appointed Deputy Commander of the 921st Air Force Regiment, 371st Division, Air Defense-Air Force Service.
• March 1978**: Promoted to Commander of the 921st Air Force Regiment.
• August 1979**: Became Deputy Commander of the 371st Air Force Division.
• August 1981**: Transferred to serve as Commander of the 370th Air Force Division.
• August 1982**: Reassigned as Commander of the 371st Air Force Division.
• May 1988**: Appointed Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Defense-Air Force Service.
• August 1990**: Became Deputy Commander of the Air Defense-Air Force Service, at which point he was promoted to the rank of Major General.
• June 1996**: Assumed the prestigious position of Commander of the Air Defense-Air Force Service.
• December 1997**: Appointed Deputy Chief Inspector of the Vietnamese People's Army.
• October 1998 to 2002**: Served as the Chief Inspector of the Ministry of National Defense, achieving the rank of Lieutenant General in 1999.

3.3. Retirement

Nguyễn Văn Cốc retired from military service in 2002, after a long and distinguished career, reportedly due to declining health. He officially retired in 2003.

4.1. Personal Life

In 1966, Nguyễn Văn Cốc met Đới Thu Hương, an actress with the Air Defense-Air Force Arts Troupe. They married in 1974 and have two children, a son and a daughter. Before her retirement, his wife, Đới Thu Hương, held the rank of Senior Colonel and served as the Director of the Air Defense-Air Force Library. In 2004, more than a year after his retirement, Nguyễn Văn Cốc suffered a spinal injury after slipping and falling down a staircase.

4.2. Awards and Honors

Nguyễn Văn Cốc has received numerous high honors and awards from the Vietnamese state for his exceptional military service and combat achievements:

• Hero of the People's Armed Forces (Anh hùng Lực lượng Vũ trang Nhân dân Việt Nam^Vietnamese), awarded on June 18, 1969, for his achievement of shooting down nine U.S. aircraft in just two years.
• Order of Military Exploit (Huân chương Quân công^Vietnamese) Second and Third Class.
• Eleven Order of Military Feat (Huân chương Chiến công^Vietnamese) medals of First, Second, and Third Class.
• Order of Resistance against America (Huân chương Kháng chiến chống Mỹ^Vietnamese) Third Class.
• Order of Glorious Combatant (Huân chương Chiến sĩ vẻ vang^Vietnamese) First, Second, and Third Class.
• Medal of Military Flag of Victory (Huy chương Quân kỳ quyết thắng^Vietnamese).
• Nine Ho Chi Minh Badges (Huy hiệu Bác Hồ^Vietnamese), one for each of his nine credited kills, also awarded on June 18, 1969.