CHAPTER ELEVEN

Bobby. 1964 – The Tragedy

Le Ann and I lived in the land of bliss. We had a boy, Robert Olander III, three years old. We were fortunate to have a beautiful girl, Martha Leanna Olander, two years old. We are expecting another child in a few months. I was content with my family. I felt like I could overcome any challenge in the sparkle of time.

I loved my job. Recently, I was promoted to Major. I am planning on remaining at Chanute for the rest of my career. I hoped the Air Force would abide by my wishes. I believed stability was best for my family.

I rose to number one in professional MDCC. It was not because of my ability. Jeopardy and Chiang Mai John retired. Jerry Lee remains president of the World Organization of professional MDCC fighters. I was thrown into the top spot. I was exercising more every day. I was eating more protein and less fat. My speed and stamina increased.

Films of my fighting are distributed to all the free world. The film of me doing a blindfold and dark bag fight has sold twenty thousand copies. I receive a royalty of a dollar on each copy sold. Television pays me ten thousand dollars to broadcast each fight internationally. If I endorse a brand of workout shoes, I receive twenty thousand dollars for a thirty second commercial.

I only endorse products that I use. Companies give me products they want me to support. I only advocate for products I really enjoy and need regularly. A car manufacturing firm has offered to give me a new car a year for three years just for recommending their cars. I am in good shape financially-better than ever. However, the United States Air Force has taken good care of me.

With the extra wind-fall I can put away enough for the kids' college education. Le Ann has hinted about building a house on the two acres of land that Rufus and Martha deeded to us last Christmas. She is accurate that our family is increasing.

Our apartment is ever decreasing with the addition of each child. We need more room especially with a new one on the way. We have talked to a builder, but have not made up our minds.

We are getting close, and have selected a design with a few small changes. Le Ann and I are meeting with the contractor this evening. I want an additional room for a den, office, and library combination. She wants an extra bed room for family expansion.

I have been waiting for Le Ann to come by my workplace for over an hour. She was going to stop by the Base Commissary to purchase some groceries, then come by and get me. I was thinking that she had gotten carried away shopping, or was talking to someone and time had escaped her.

George and two Illinois State Police officers appeared at my office door. They tell me that the children are fine and have been taken home to be with Rufus and Martha. However, Le Ann was taken to the hospital. One officer tells me she is in serious condition.

The bridge had collapsed over Salt Fork River while she was on it. Evidently, she was taking the Flatville Road, the back way to the base. She had hit her head on the windshield and was bleeding. The doctor had stopped the bleeding, but the injury was serious.

George drove me to the hospital where we met with the doctor. He explained that the damage could turn either way depending on internal blood loss. There was no sign of interior hemorrhaging, but it was a possibility. At this time they were doing all they could. I was praying that God would heal her.

The doctor suggested I could stay in the room and talk to Le Ann. He implied it might help her respond positively. I held her hand and spoke to her softly, telling her that I loved her. The kids and I needed her. Somewhere around two hours later she opened her eyes, looked at me and said, "Don't blame anyone. John, Seebhabe (สี่บาบี) and the dog will tell you the truth."

I went to the front station and told the nurses that Le Ann was awake. One of them paged the doctor. The rest ran to the room with me. She was not breathing. They were not able to revive her. The doctor shook his head and told me he was sorry. The unborn baby died with her. I cried profusely. Martha was bawling. Tears were flowing from Rufus' eyes. It was like a bomb had exploded. I went crazy. What could I do to change things? I pleaded with God for transformation of what had happened, I told Him to take me instead and let her live.

George and Linda were in the waiting room. They could tell by the way we looked that it was not good. When I cried that she was gone, both began weeping. George imparted, "I'll insure you get emergency leave starting tomorrow." Linda hugged me hard, but was speechless.

The next month was a blur. Champaign and Urbana came out strong for the funeral. George came by daily to check on me. He came by today with sadness on his face. I asked him, "What's wrong?"

He told me that I was on orders to go to the Philippines. He revealed that he had attempted all he could do to get the transfer canceled, but was told that I was the only one in the Air Force with credentials in precision flying the JC-130X.

"You have been rated the most outstanding officer in the United States Air Force. You will be the commander leading a group that are daredevils. Along with this transfer you will be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, because it is mandated by the position. George went on to say, "You will be one of the youngest Lieutenant Colonels in the Air Force."

Yes, and one of the saddest human beings in the world. I became negative. I worked faster than I had ever worked. I drove my men harder. George told me I needed to slow down and give my men a chance to breathe. He's right. I'm know I am getting ready to leave for Clark AFB. I don't understand what lies ahead. I am bordering on, "I really do not care." Over- whelming sensation of pain and loneliness wrapped my body.

Rufus and Martha volunteered to take care of Bobby III and Leanna until I could get settled. I informed them that it might be quickly or it might take a while. They claimed it would not be a burden. They assured me these two kids were the product of the love that Le Ann and I had for each other. It would remind them of that love.

When I offered to send them $2000.00 per month they became angry. They reminded me that these two kids were their grandchildren. They indicated that they did not charge family for love. I proposed that I send $500.00 a month to take care of extras. Reluctantly, they agreed.

I revealed that as soon as I had a phone number, I would let them know what it was. I told them that they could reverse the charges. They could call me as much as they needed. Not knowing what my schedule was, it was difficult to tell them anymore,

George informed me that he was on orders to go to the Philippines as part of the JC-130X project. His promotion to Lieutenant Colonel came two weeks after mine. He stated that means you are my boss. I expressed they made a mistake. I will tell them. He said, "No you won't, because you know more about short landings and takeoffs than anyone in the Air Force using the JC-130 X. You are fearless and you have perfected techniques that others need to learn. You are the right person for the job. You are competent for this assignment."

Two weeks later we are at Clark AFB in the Philippines. Lieutenant General Beauford Gofourth is addressing the ones for this undertaking. He promised that anyone not comfortable with the venture can withdraw now with no consequence. Furthermore, saying most of us will be stretched by the limits of our understanding about flying.

He introduced me and stated that I had more experience in this area of short landings and takeoffs other than fighter pilots in the Navy. This new version of the C-130 is the JC-130X3. It flies double the distance, twice the power and possesses more maneuverability than any previous C-130.

The JC-130X3 has more firepower than most fighters. It has a magnetic shield that will protect it from enemy gunfire. It is one mean fighting machine that can be used to rescue up to one hundred people, flying in and out of situations in a few seconds. There is no comparable aircraft to this machine.

The general went on to explain that we will be at Clark AFB about three months. Then half of you will be transferred to another location and half will remain here. We will make that determination later. Gofourth calls on me for a few words.

I instructed, "Trust your plane. If you have confidence in your aircraft, it will perform in marvelous ways. If you don't, you might as well pack your bags and go home. If you rely on your tools the rest is simple. No one asked to leave. The pilots were the best available in the Air Force. It was an honor to fly with them.

A little practice will make brief set-downs and lift-offs effortlessly. We are not trying to make everyone a stunt flyer." I knew those that I was speaking to were the most capable C-130 pilots in the Air Force. Most had more time in the cockpit than me.