Laos - Eugene Henry Debruin, POW/MIA, 1966

[Richard]

Eugene Henry Debruin
Missing in Laos 1966

EUGENE HENRY DEBRUIN
Name: Eugene Henry DeBruin
Rank/Branch: U.S. Civilian
Unit: Air America
Date of Birth: 01 April 1933
Home City of Record: Kaukauna WI
Date of Loss: 05 September 1963
Country of Loss: Laos
Loss Coordinates: 164245N 1061021E (XD250480)
Status (In 1973): Prisoner Of War

Eugene Henry DeBruin (April 1, 1933 – c. 1968) was a US Air Force staff sergeant, and a member of Air America serving in Laos during the Second Indochina War. "Gene" DeBruin was working as a "kicker" for Air America in 1963 when his C-46 was shot down. He was a POW at a Pathet Lao prison camp in Laos until he and other prisoners attempted to escape. After this, there is little known about DeBruin's whereabouts.

Early life and military career

Eugene DeBruin was the second eldest of ten children that grew up in a Wisconsin farm. While growing up, DeBruin became interested in outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, skiing, and others.

After graduating from high school, DeBruin joined the US Air Force in 1952. He served four years, mostly in Japan, as an aircraft mechanic reaching the rank of staff sergeant. During that time, he also obtained a private pilot license. He also practiced judo during his time in Japan.

After being discharged from the Air Force, DeBruin enrolled at the University of Montana at Missoula, Montana obtaining a degree in forestry.
He then worked as a "Smokejumper" for three years in Alaska. DeBruin then moved to Mexico to learn Spanish with the intent of becoming a writer.

After declining to join the Peace Corps, DeBruin volunteered as a "kicker" with Air America. His job was to kick the pallets of rice and food down the plane to aid the refugees. According to his brother, he had plans of joining the Peace Corps after he finished his stint with Air America.

On September 5, 1963, DeBruin took off on a mission with fellow Americans, Joseph C. Cheney and Charles Herrick, Thai C-46 aircraft was hit by ground fire and crashed about 2 kilometers from Tchepone on the Savannakhet Province. DeBruin, Y.C. To, and the three Thai nationals parachuted to safety, but were immediately captured by the Pathet Lao. Cheney and Herrick were killed in the crash.

After his capture, DeBruin was moved to four different prisons, together with the other four prisoners. In May 1964, they managed to escape for three days, but were caught at a watering hole.

After that failed attempt, DeBruin attempted a second escape. The other six prisoners that worked together for this second attempt were:

• Pisidhi Indradat (Thai)
• Prasit Promsuwan (Thai)
• Prasit Thanee (Thai)
• Y.C. To (Chinese)
• Duane W. Martin (American)
• Dieter Dengler (American)

Dengler was the last to arrive at the POW camp, and initially, distrusted by the other prisoners as they thought he might be an informant. Eventually the prisoners advised Dengler of their past escape attempts.

On June 29, 1966, while the guards were eating, the group slipped out of their hand and foot restraints and grabbed the guard's unattended firearms. The Pathet Lao guards spotted some of the other prisoners trying to escape. A shootout between the two sides ensued and Dengler and Indradat ended up killing five guards so the others could escape. Two others ran off, presumably to get help. The seven prisoners split into three groups. Indradat, and the other Thai prisoners; DeBruin stayed with To, who had been too ill to continue with the escape; and Dengler and Martin headed for the Mekong River to escape to Thailand. Martin was killed by a Laotian villager, while Dengler was rescued after 23 days in the jungle. Indradat was also rescued later.

Of the seven prisoners that attempted to escape, only two reached safety (Dengler and Indradat). One report stated that DeBruin was killed in the escape attempt, but Indradat originally reported that he last saw DeBruin attempting to "reach high ground in a classified location".

DeBruin's family has found reports that confirm that he was alive as late as January 1968. First, US Intelligence confirmed that DeBruin was recaptured and returned to the North Vietnamese Army. Their destination was never known.

DeBruin's brother, Jerome DeBruin, traveled to Laos in 1972 in search of information. Although the Pathet Lao openly admitted holding American prisoners of war, they insisted that the United States negotiate directly with them to ensure their release, but this never happened....

LINKS:
Eugene DeBruin
Eugene DeBruin - Wikipedia
MISSING IN ACTION - ForeignPrisoners.com - Foreign Prisoners Support Service
What Happened to Gene DeBruin?: How Hollywood Robbed an American Hero

 

[GoBuckeyes]

Eugene Henry Debruin
Missing in Laos 1966

EUGENE HENRY DEBRUIN
Name: Eugene Henry DeBruin
Rank/Branch: U.S. Civilian
Unit: Air America
Date of Birth: 01 April 1933
Home City of Record: Kaukauna WI
Date of Loss: 05 September 1963
Country of Loss: Laos
Loss Coordinates: 164245N 1061021E (XD250480)
Status (In 1973): Prisoner Of War

Eugene Henry DeBruin (April 1, 1933 – c. 1968) was a US Air Force staff sergeant, and a member of Air America serving in Laos during the Second Indochina War. "Gene" DeBruin was working as a "kicker" for Air America in 1963 when his C-46 was shot down. He was a POW at a Pathet Lao prison camp in Laos until he and other prisoners attempted to escape. After this, there is little known about DeBruin's whereabouts.

Early life and military career

Eugene DeBruin was the second eldest of ten children that grew up in a Wisconsin farm. While growing up, DeBruin became interested in outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, skiing, and others.

After graduating from high school, DeBruin joined the US Air Force in 1952. He served four years, mostly in Japan, as an aircraft mechanic reaching the rank of staff sergeant. During that time, he also obtained a private pilot license. He also practiced judo during his time in Japan.

After being discharged from the Air Force, DeBruin enrolled at the University of Montana at Missoula, Montana obtaining a degree in forestry.
He then worked as a "Smokejumper" for three years in Alaska. DeBruin then moved to Mexico to learn Spanish with the intent of becoming a writer.

After declining to join the Peace Corps, DeBruin volunteered as a "kicker" with Air America. His job was to kick the pallets of rice and food down the plane to aid the refugees. According to his brother, he had plans of joining the Peace Corps after he finished his stint with Air America.

On September 5, 1963, DeBruin took off on a mission with fellow Americans, Joseph C. Cheney and Charles Herrick, Thai C-46 aircraft was hit by ground fire and crashed about 2 kilometers from Tchepone on the Savannakhet Province. DeBruin, Y.C. To, and the three Thai nationals parachuted to safety, but were immediately captured by the Pathet Lao. Cheney and Herrick were killed in the crash.

After his capture, DeBruin was moved to four different prisons, together with the other four prisoners. In May 1964, they managed to escape for three days, but were caught at a watering hole.

After that failed attempt, DeBruin attempted a second escape. The other six prisoners that worked together for this second attempt were:

• Pisidhi Indradat (Thai)
• Prasit Promsuwan (Thai)
• Prasit Thanee (Thai)
• Y.C. To (Chinese)
• Duane W. Martin (American)
• Dieter Dengler (American)

Dengler was the last to arrive at the POW camp, and initially, distrusted by the other prisoners as they thought he might be an informant. Eventually the prisoners advised Dengler of their past escape attempts.

On June 29, 1966, while the guards were eating, the group slipped out of their hand and foot restraints and grabbed the guard's unattended firearms. The Pathet Lao guards spotted some of the other prisoners trying to escape. A shootout between the two sides ensued and Dengler and Indradat ended up killing five guards so the others could escape. Two others ran off, presumably to get help. The seven prisoners split into three groups. Indradat, and the other Thai prisoners; DeBruin stayed with To, who had been too ill to continue with the escape; and Dengler and Martin headed for the Mekong River to escape to Thailand. Martin was killed by a Laotian villager, while Dengler was rescued after 23 days in the jungle. Indradat was also rescued later.

Of the seven prisoners that attempted to escape, only two reached safety (Dengler and Indradat). One report stated that DeBruin was killed in the escape attempt, but Indradat originally reported that he last saw DeBruin attempting to "reach high ground in a classified location".

DeBruin's family has found reports that confirm that he was alive as late as January 1968. First, US Intelligence confirmed that DeBruin was recaptured and returned to the North Vietnamese Army. Their destination was never known.

DeBruin's brother, Jerome DeBruin, traveled to Laos in 1972 in search of information. Although the Pathet Lao openly admitted holding American prisoners of war, they insisted that the United States negotiate directly with them to ensure their release, but this never happened....

LINKS:
Eugene DeBruin
Eugene DeBruin - Wikipedia
MISSING IN ACTION - ForeignPrisoners.com - Foreign Prisoners Support Service
What Happened to Gene DeBruin?: How Hollywood Robbed an American Hero

This is heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing.

 

[Richard]

One of Gene's fellow POW's in Laos was Duane Whitney Martin. Here is a link to Duane's websleuths thread:
Deceased/Not Found - Duane Whitney Martin, LT, USAF murdered in Laos 3 July 1966
-----------------------

... Eugene DeBruin, who escaped from a POW camp in southern Laos along with U.S. Navy pilot Dieter Dengler and five others in 1966, elected to stay in the vicinity of the camp with a fellow Air America crewmen and POW: a Chinese radio operator named To Yick Chiu, who was too ill to travel any distance. Their plan called for the others — when they reached safety — to tell the U.S. military where to look for DeBruin and Chiu. Dengler, who would become the longest-held American POW to escape captivity during the Vietnam War, tried to talk DeBruin out of staying behind, beseeching him to stick with the other two Americans on their trek through the jungle. If DeBruin had listened to Dengler, he may well have made it out alive, as Dengler did. Instead, DeBruin and Chiu never made it out of the jungle. Later reports indicated that the two men likely had been recaptured by the Pathet Lao and executed....

LINK:
"Rescue Dawn," Eugene DeBruin and Dieter Dengler - Bruce Henderson

 

[Richard]

Eugene Henry Debruin, POW/MIA
Laos 1966.

On September 5, 1963, an Air America C-47 transport on which Mr.
Debruin was a "kicker" was shot down by hostile ground fire over
Savannakhet Province. It crashed approximately twenty two kilometers northeast of Muang Phine.

Eugene Debruin and four non-U.S. crewmen parachuted out and were captured. According to the Pathet Lao, the remaining two American civilian crewmen who were not reported to have bailed out died in the crash.

On May 31, 1966, the Pathet Lao spokesman in Vientiane, Soth Phetrasy, confirmed that Mr. Debruin was alive and in captivity.

Information from an American escapee (Naval Aviator Dieter Dengler) and a Thai captured with Mr. Debruin recounted Mr. Debruin's capture and prison chronology through July 3, 1966, the last time they knew Mr. Debruin to be alive with them in Khammouane Province.

Accounts of the prison escape include information that four of the seven prison guards were killed during the escape attempt. One Thai who escaped and was recaptured was not killed after recapture...

LINK:

Bio, Debruin, Eugene H.

 

[Luckyzmom]

As always many thanks for bringing this story to us @Richard

 

[Richard]

Here is a great account of the prison escape in which Gene participated:

Dieter Dengler's Great Escape from Laotian POW Camp

 

[Richard]

 

[GoBuckeyes]

This story is haunting. Thinking of Gene today.

 

[Richard]

This September will mark the 60 year anniversary of Gene's plane going down in Laos. He was held as a Prisoner of War at least until 1966 and possibly longer.

 

[Richard]

Staff Sergeant Eugene Henry “Gene” DeBruin​

BIRTH 1 Apr 1933 Wisconsin, USA
DEATH unknown last known to be a Prisoner of War held by the Pathet Lao

LINKS:

Photos of Sgt Eugene Henry “Gene” DeBruin - Find a...

Parachute Delivery Officer. Air America. Became a POW when he parachuted to safety from a C-46 that had been shot down over Laos. He is known to have been a POW at a Pathet Lao prison camp in Laos. He and other prisoners attempted to escape twice from the camp. He was recaptured on his...

www.findagrave.com

 

[Richard]

Eugene DeBruin​

Years of service 1952-1956 Battles and wars Vietnam War		Education University of Montana Name Eugene DeBruin

LINK:

Eugene DeBruin (US Air Force Staff Sergeant) ~ Bio with [ Photos | Videos ]

Eugene Henry DeBruin (April 1, 1933 c. 1968) was a US Air Force staff sergeant, and a member of Air America serving in Laos during the Second Indochina War. Gene DeBruin was working as a kicker for Air America in 1963 when his C46 was shot down. He was a POW at a Pathet Lao prison camp in Lao

alchetron.com

 

[Richard]

The link below contains a copy of a letter sent from Air America (the CIA) to Mrs. Suvana Ketsomsiat Promsuwan concerning the fate of her husband Prasit Promsuwan, who was a Thai national captured and held POW along with Eugene DeBruin by the Pathet Lao.

The information in the letter came from another fellow crewmember and POW, Pisidhi Indradat who eventually successfully escaped from the Communists in 1967.

Although the letter mentions that the five Air America POW's made an escape from a jungle prison camp on 30 July 1966, it does not mention Navy Lieutenant Dieter Dengler or Air Force Lieutenant Duane Whitney Martin who were imprisoned with them and who also escaped that day.

LINK:

https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/DOC_0005527419.pdf

 

[Richard]

Gene DeBruin was one of seven crew members on an Air America (CIA) plane which crashed in Laos in 1963. Both pilots of the plane were killed in the crash and the other five crew members parachuted safely, but were captured by the Communist Pathet Lao.

Here is some information about the two pilots:

Charles Grant Herrick (December 21, 1918 – September 5, 1963) was a co-pilot for Air America during the Vietnam War.
On September 5, 1963, Herrick took off on a mission with fellow Americans, Eugene DeBruin and Joseph C. Cheney, Thai Pisidhi Indradat, Prasit Promsuwan and Prasit Thanee, and Chinese Y.C. To. During a flight over Laos, his C-46 aircraft was hit by ground fire and crashed about 2 kilometers from Tchepone on the Savannakhet Province.

Joseph Curtis Cheney, II (August 14, 1920 - September 5, 1963) was a pilot for Air America during the Vietnam War.
Cheney's remains were returned to the United States on July 10, 2001.

LINK:

Charles Herrick

Charles Grant Herrick (December 21, 1918 – September 5, 1963) was a co-pilot for Air America during the Vietnam War. On September 5, 1963, Herrick took off on a mission with fellow Americans, Eugene DeBruin and Joseph C. Cheney, Thai Pisidhi Indradat, Prasit Promsuwan and Prasit Thanee, and...

military-history.fandom.com

 

[Richard]

First hand account information about Gene Debruin came from a fellow POW who escaped from Laos in 1966. He was Navy Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Dieter Dengler, an A1 Sky Raider pilot who was shot down and captured by the Pathet Lao Communists.

Dengler related how he and six other POW's managed to escape from their jungle prison by obtaining rifles from the guards' huts and killing a number of their captors. They broke into three groups and fled into the hills hoping to reach freedom.

Dengler paired off with Air Force Helicopter pilot Duane Whitney Martin. Gene went with Y.C. To, who was sick and needed help to move. While three Thai nationals; Pisidhi Indradat, Prasit Promsuwan and Prasit Thanee departed the camp together.

Martin was killed by Lao villagers. A few days later, Dengler was located and rescued by US forces. Of the others, only Pisidhi Indradat is known to have eventually survived.

It is believed that Gene DeBruin may have been re-captured following the escape, but no further information about him is known.


US Navy LTJG Dieter Dengler in the hospital after his rescue.

LINKS:

Dieter Dengler - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Deceased/Not Found - Duane Whitney Martin, LT, USAF murdered in Laos 3 July 1966

Duane Whitney Martin (January 2, 1940 – July 3, 1966) was an American Air Force Helicopter Pilot and Prisoner of War during the Vietnam War. Official USAF picture of Duane Martin Lt. Duane Martin, USAF, was assigned to Detachment 1 of the 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (38th...

www.websleuths.com