| Date: 25 October 1967 |
| Aircraft type: F-105D Thunderchief |
| Serial Number: 58-1168 |
| Military Unit: 354 TFS, 355 TFW |
| Service: USAF |
| Home Base: Takhli |
| Name(s): |
| Maj Richard Eugene Smith (POW) |
| Soon after dawn on the morning of the 25th a total of 21 F-105s from the Takhli Wing carrying 3,000lb bombs struck the Paul Doumer Bridge over the Red River on the outskirts of Hanoi. Maj Smith of Wildcat flight pulled up from dropping his bombs on the target and felt his aircraft being hit by medium calibre anti-aircraft fire. The aircraft started to burn as Maj Smith raced across Hanoi in a vain attempt to reach safety. He was forced to eject about 25 miles west of Hanoi and injured his left leg as he left the aircraft. Richard Smith was shot twice through the thigh during his capture. He was imprisoned until his release on 14 March 1973 after which he returned to flying duties following a period of recuperation. Following retirement he served as National President of the Air Force Association. His son also joined the USAF and flew several missions in the F-16 during Operation Desert Storm. Maj Richard Smith is sometimes reported as being a member of the 333rd TFS when he was shot down. It is possible he was flying an aircraft from another squadron on 25 October. 58-1168 had been flown by another 354th TFS pilot when it shot down a MiG-17 on 19 April 1967 and carried nose art with the name ‘Betty’s Boy’. The Paul Doumer Bridge was badly damaged with two spans dropped into the water but it was repaired by December and had to be attacked again. |
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