| Date: 21 May 1967 |
| Aircraft type: F-4B Phantom |
| Serial Number: 153040 |
| Military Unit: VF-114 |
| Service: USN |
| Home Base: USS Kitty Hawk |
| Name(s): |
| Lt Hugh Dennis Wisely (Survived) |
| Ensign James William Laing (Survived) |
| Aircraft type: SH-3A Sea King |
| Serial Number: 151530 |
| Military Unit: HS-2 |
| Service: USN |
| Home Base: USS Hornet |
| Name(s): |
| Lt David Russell Georgius (Survived) |
| Lt(jg) Samuel Wallace Payne, Jr. (Survived) |
| AX2 Dale Kome (Survived) |
| AE3 T Ray (Survived) |
| A strike on the Van Dien SAM and vehicle support depot also resulted in the loss of a single aircraft and the rescue of its crew. The TARCAP flight was once more provided by the F-4s of VF-114 and one of the Squadron’s aircraft (call sign Linfield 213) was hit as it was retiring from the target at low level. The TARCAP flight had evaded three SAMs but came down low and ran into intense flak. The aircraft was peppered with automatic weapons fire and suffered failures of the hydraulic and pneumatic systems. The pilot decided to make for Thailand rather than risk the gauntlet of the intense air defences between Hanoi and the coast. The decision was a wise one as the aircraft crossed the Laotian border before becoming uncontrollable forcing the crew to eject near Sai Koun, 85 miles southwest of Hanoi. Jim Laing’s parachute started to open the instant his ejection seat fired with the result that he broke an arm and sprained his other limbs. Both men were picked up safely by a USAF HH-3E from Udorn after a Navy SH-3A from the carrier USS Hornet had to be abandoned in Laos after being hit by ground fire and running out of fuel during the first rescue attempt. Lt Wisely had shot down an An-2 Colt biplane on 20 December 1966 and a MiG-17 on 24 April 1967. This was the second ejection and rescue for Ens Laing who had been shot down with Lt Cdr Charles Everett Southwick on 24 April.
Navy records state: "Linfield 213, an F-4B (BuNo 153040), LT Hugh D. Wisely and ENS James W. Laing, VF-114, was hit by AAA during a strike over Hanoi. By 'skillful maneuvering of an almost uncontrollable aircraft,' LT Wisely managed to fly the stricken Phantom II to northeastern Laos, 20°7'N, 104°30'E, where both men ejected. An SH-3A, LT David R. Georgius, LT(JG) Payne, AX2 Kome, and AE3 Ray, HS-2, flew across North Vietnam to attempt the CSAR, however, were hit three times by 37 and 57 mm AAA. Undaunted, the crew continued its mission, but fuel starvation due to ruptured fuel cells compelled them to land in Laos. All of the stranded crews were recovered by Big Mother and USAF Jolly Green Giant SAR helos. LT Georgius was awarded the Silver Star for this action." |
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