| Date: 18 September 1967 |
| Aircraft type: A-4C Skyhawk |
| Serial Number: 149590 |
| Military Unit: VA-34 |
| Service: USN |
| Home Base: USS Intrepid |
| Name(s): |
| Lt Cdr Sam Henry Hawkins (Survived) |
| Remarkably, the US Navy had not lost any aircraft in combat since the beginning of the month. However, on the 18th this run of good fortune was brought to a halt when a Skyhawk was shot down near Haiphong. Lt Cdr Hawkins was leading five other Skyhawks of the Intrepid’s flak suppression flight to cover a raid on the main railway yard at Haiphong. As the flight approached the target at 5,000 feet and 320 knots, they received a SAM warning and took evasive action. As Lt Cdr Hawkins levelled out at 3,000 feet his aircraft (call sign Fighting Tiger) was bracketed by two SA-2s, one of which exploded less than 100 feet from his Skyhawk causing extensive damage. With no radio, oxygen or aileron control he headed out to sea but ejected about 10 miles from the coast when he realised his aircraft was on fire. He was picked up safely by a Navy SAR helicopter. |
You may return to your search results, go to the Search Form, or go back to the Home Page.