that he was going feet dry

First question "What are feet wet, dry feet?" Well the actual calls

are "feet wet" or "feet dry". These were VERY IMPORTANT calls that were

made under many conditions, on our radios. It was always extremely

important for the ship and other pilots to know when any particular

aircraft was over enemy territory or over the water (Tonkin Gulf). When you

were over water, you were relatively safe, of course, when over land which

was always dangerous in enemy held territory, you were much more in danger

from flak, missiles or MIGS.

The term "feet wet" on the radio meant that you were somewhere

between the aircraft carrier and the enemy coast (always over water). The

term "feet dry" meant that you were somewhere over land, either on the way

in to the target or on the way out. Strikes always called the carrier when

going "feet dry" on the way in, and again calling "feet wet" on the way

out. The "sweat factor" was always much higher when feet dry than when feet

wet. If you had to eject while feet dry, chances are you would be captured.

Most all who ejected safely when feet wet were rescued either by a Navy

ship or a helicopter.