John Harry Romero II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Training Instructor “Sting 27”, September 10, 1971

“Captain Romero is an outstanding young officer who displays unlimited

potential. He has functioned in an outstanding manner as both a squadron

pilot and as an aircraft commander upgradee. Captain Romero is a highly Opinion of Endorsing Officer. “I highly remommend that he be promoted well ahead of his contemporaries.”

skilled and experienced pilot who continually displays excellent knowledge of

all phases of his job . . .He has demonstrated his ability and desire to assume

 increased responsibilities  and should be considered for promotion ahead

 of his contemporaries.” 
Born John Harry Romero, Jr. September 1, 1941, in Lafayette, Louisiana, he grew up a home boy  near the Mississippi. After attending University of Southwest Louisiana, Lafayette, he enrolled in the Air Force on December 11th, 1964, at the age of 23. Lanky, almost 6 feet tall, he was nevertheless agile and qualified for some of the best jets. He quickly distinguished himself above his fellow
               junior officers, and became an exceptional pilot.
                     By this time Romero had married his sweetheart,
               Carrie, and in the next few years they would have 2
               children together, Carolyn, and John III.
                   After finishing training in Texas, young Romero was
               quickly transferred to Hahn, Germany, as a part of the
               10th tactical fighter squadron. Various duties then
               came as Romero was being groomed for promotion.
               He eventually became the Forward Air Controller.
               After being transferred back to the States, Romero
               continued to express his desire to learn more about
               every aspect of aerial warfare. As a result of his
               interest and abilities, he occupied a number of
               positions while continuing to fly, and finally was
               made the second commander of a Phantom F-4 Wing.
                     On January 18, 1970, he finally got his chance to
               put his training and experience to work. He was
               transferred to Vietnam, to see front line tactical
               fighter combat, including ground support bombing
               missions and striking at targets far behind enemy
               lines. 


The honors came surprisingly quickly. For the first month flying achievements alone he was awarded the Air Medal. Soon even higher awards came. On April 1, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, then on June 10, he was awarded yet another, with First Oak Leaf Cluster. He was then also named Top Gun in his Wing.
   “Captain Romero is fully qualified and capable of performing in a nuclear strike, conventional weapons delivery or Air defense role utilizing the F-4D weapons system under all weather conditions. Responsible for planning and executing these missions. Maintains an operational knowledge of peacetime/wartime plans and procedures, continually reviews assigned targets and accomplishes periodic testing on these subjects. Committed to global deployment for indefinite period with  minimum notice

Romero enjoys the celebration of their last flight in Vietnam. He is the one drinking the bottle of beer by the sign. Courtesy of John Romero III.
With such capabilities, he was viewed as an ideal training officer. Back to the United States in February 1971,  he was transferred to Homestead Air Force Base,  earmarked for tctical training in Phantoms for the 306th and then for the 307th. Romero’s record proceeded him wherever he went, and he was soon going to be groomed for Major.
   However, not long after his 30th birthday, on 21 September, 1971, he and Lt. Norm Northrup boarded a Phantom and flew out to sea. It was to be a short training maneuver, lasting only 20 minutes. While on radar and in a routine turn, the plane’s Selective Identification Feature faded. The tower controller contacted them and asked them to verify their position. Moments later, after merely a routine confirmation of  “Roger, I am in a port turn at this time,” the plane vanished.
   By 1971 the Bermuda Triangle was big news, and the Miami Herald newspaper recorded the fact that the planes vanished mysteriously in the “Devil’s Triangle.” The only deduction that could be made was that the plane mysteriously disappeared.
   Behind the scenes the family was greeted with little more illuminating information. By 27 September, it had become clear that Romero and Northrup would not be found. Colonel David Rippetoe, in the official condolence letter, summed up their efforts: “Extensive search efforts by aircraft and surface craft equipped with special sonar equipment has failed to locate evidence of any type, such as equipment or debris that could be identified with the aircraft your husband was aboard.”
   The disappearance of “Sting 27” remains one of mystery today. The accident report is highly edited, and a weird “discoloration” was seen in the water in the area where it vanished.
   John Romero was survived by his young wife and 3 children, who were then 6 and 2 respectively. Six weeks later Carrie gave birth to Joseph Romero, who also later served in the US army.
   I am indebted to both his widow, Carrie, and his son, John Harry Romero III, for the information on this page, which is taken from copies of his official records, copies of his awards, and pictures taken of him during his career, which the family generously offered to me. John Romero III has also followed in his father’s footsteps and is an active member of the US Army as a Cavalry Scout. Our communication was long before the present conflict, so wherever he is now he has the best wishes of this web site and I’m sure all those who regularly follow it.