| Date: 28 June 1967 |
| Aircraft type: F-4B Phantom |
| Serial Number: 152242 |
| Military Unit: VF-143 |
| Service: USN |
| Home Base: USS Constellation |
| Name(s): |
| Cdr William Porter Lawrence (POW) |
| Lt(jg) James William Bailey (POW) |
| Bill Lawrence, the CO of VF-143, led a flak suppression section during a raid on an important transshipment point 10 miles northwest of Nam Dinh. The Phantoms were at 12,000 feet and were preparing to roll in on the target when Cdr Lawrence’s aircraft (call sign Taproom 301) was hit by 85mm flak. With the aircraft’s hydraulics failing, Cdr Lawrence released his CBUs on the target and had difficulty in pulling out of his dive before part of the tail section separated from the Phantom. The crew ejected and were captured and suffered the usual torture and beatings. James Bailey was the veteran of 183 combat missions over Southeast Asia, having flown with VF-143 on board the Ranger in 1966. He was released on 18 February and Cdr Lawrence was released on 4 March 1973. Both men resumed their naval careers and Bill Lawrence retired with the rank of Vice Admiral having been Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, and James Bailey retired as a Commander. |
You may return to your search results, go to the Search Form, or go back to the Home Page.