| Date: 12 June 1965 |
| Aircraft type: F-100D Super Sabre |
| Serial Number: 55-3702 |
| Military Unit: 615 TFS, 401 TFW on TDY |
| Service: USAF |
| Home Base: Da Nang |
| Name(s): |
| Capt Lawrence Thomas Holland (KIA) |
| The 615th TFS from England AFB, Louisiana spent several brief periods in 1964 and 1965 at Da Nang on temporary duty rotation from Clark AFB in the Phillipines. The squadron suffered its first combat loss of the war on 12 June. Capt Holland was lead pilot of a two-aircraft flight on a close air support mission near Don Luan, 10 miles northeast of Bien Hoa. The two Super Sabres made a rocket attack on VC gun positions and buildings but Capt Holland’s aircraft (call sign Edna 11) was hit and he was forced to eject. His parachute was seen to land in tall trees near the target and a US Army helicopter landed nearby to attempt a rescue. Members of the helicopter crew were fired on as they proceeded into the jungle on foot and they saw Capt Holland’s body being dragged into a ditch by several VC before they were forced to retire to the helicopter and take off. Information was later received indicating that Capt Holland was killed when he opened fire on the VC as they closed in on his position. |
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