| Date: 3 June 1965 |
| Aircraft type: A-4C Skyhawk |
| Serial Number: 148577 |
| Military Unit: VA-22 |
| Service: USN |
| Home Base: USS Midway |
| Name(s): |
| Lt Raymond Paul Ilg (Survived) |
| The Midway lost its fifth aircraft in three days on 3 June during an armed reconnaissance mission in the Barrel Roll area of Laos. Lt Ilg’s Skyhawk (call sign Beef Eater) was hit by AAA over Route 65 near Ban Nakay Neua, 10 miles east of Sam Neua. The aircraft caught fire and Lt Ilg ejected immediately. He evaded for two days until he was picked up by an Air America helicopter. Considering that he came down in the heart of Pathet Lao country he was very fortunate to be rescued and only just made it as the helicopter’s rescue cable was too short to reach the ground through the tall trees. The quick thinking Philipino flight mechanic, Luis Moser, fastened a cargo strap weighted by a tool box onto the cable and Lt Ilg was able to reach up and hang on. The helicopter pilot, Capt Julian Kanach, held the helicopter rock steady among tall trees as the makeshift rescue hoist was lowered and raised with the survivor. An F-105D taking part in the search for Lt Ilg was lost on the 5th but luckily its pilot also survived. Lt Ilg retired from the US Navy as a Vice Admiral. |
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