12 Jul 2008 REMEMBERED by Roger Heath rogerheath@bellsouth.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 02 Sep 1972 a section of F-4s (TUFA 1 and TUFA 2) from Tahkli RTAFB were working in the Plaine des Jarres area of Laos about 5 miles east of Ban Na Mai village under the control of a Forward Air Controller, RAVEN 23. After two dry passes to ensure they had acquired the target, TUFA 2 rolled in hot. The aircraft, F-4E tail number 68-0335, burst into flames immediately after ordnance release and continued in a 40 degree dive, impacting the ground just beyond the target area. TUFA 1 saw two ejection seats leave the aircraft, followed by two parachutes - but both disappeared into clouds. When TUFA 1 tried to contact the FAC he received no answer - RAVEN 23 had also disappeared. Search and rescue efforts began at once, the wreckage of both aircraft was found, and parachutes were sighted on the ground - but no contact was made with any of the four men from TUFA 2 and RAVEN 23. Although it was concluded that the RAVEN 23 crash probably was not survivable, the two aircrew from TUFA 2 were carried as Missing in Action until the Secretary of the Air Force approved Presumptive Findings of Death for them on 04 Oct 1979. The four men were TUFA 2, F-4E 68-0335, 421st Tac Ftr Sqdn LtCol Robert R. Greenwood, Portsmouth, VA Major William C. Wood, Paris, TN RAVEN 23, O-1D 57-2799, Det 1 Udorn, 56th Special Ops Wing Capt Richard W. Herold, Plattsburgh, NY Royal Laotian Air Force observer, name unknown Their bodies have not been recovered.

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