DON OAKES - Boo Incident

The commander, in turn, contacted the American Embassy in Athens, concluding the ticklish situation came under their bailiwick. While the diplomatic procedures took their course, the airmen sat frazzled and numb for several hours in the stuffy bus, uneasily watching the raging mob outside. Then the Greeks began rocking the bus, heightening the fear that they were going to tip it over and hang more than just Boo. Several of the airmen were as white as ghosts, raked by tension, teeth and jaws aching from gnashing and clenching, uniforms all askew, soaked with the smell of heavy sweat. The smell of fear. Eventually, three Cretan officials arrived with proof that Boo was an American. To appease the crowd, Boo handed over his Turkish fez which the Greeks noisily burned in the street. Then, reluctantly, they let the bus leave.

Doug Robertson (L) and Don Oakes

Don Oakes

View from base