| Date: 16 December 1967 |
| Aircraft type: F-4D Phantom |
| Serial Number: 66-7631 |
| Military Unit: 555 TFS, 8 TFW |
| Service: USAF |
| Home Base: Ubon |
| Name(s): |
| Maj James Frederick Low (POW) |
| 1Lt Howard John Hill (POW) |
| A Triple Nickel Phantom (call sign Olds) was lost in a dogfight during an early morning combat air patrol over Kep. Maj Low and 1Lt Hill were shot down by an air-to-air missile fired by a MiG-21 as they tried to egress and both men were captured when they ejected about five miles west of Kep. James Low was a Korean War ace with nine aircraft to his credit and had apparently had a reputation for nonconformity. Later he criticised his flight leader for staying in the fight until they were low on fuel. He was one of three men who the North Vietnamese selected for early release to a group of American peace activists on 18 July 1968. This early release caused a great deal of controversy and concern amongst those prisoners left behind. 1Lt Hill stayed the full course and was finally released on 14 March 1973. |
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