| Date: 16 June 1968 |
| Aircraft type: F-4J Phantom |
| Serial Number: 155548 |
| Military Unit: VF-102 |
| Service: USN |
| Home Base: USS America |
| Name(s): |
| Cdr Walter Eugene Wilber (POW) |
| Lt(jg) Bernard Francis Rupinski (KIA) |
| During a CAP mission northwest of Vinh, a pair of Phantoms from the USS America were vectored towards an unidentified aircraft. Due to the existing rules of engagement, the Phantoms had to turn back at the 19th Parallel. However, the MiG-21s also turned back and attacked the Phantoms from behind. One of the MiGs launched a missile that guided to the tailpipe of Cdr Wilber’s aircraft (call sign Milkvine 101). The aircraft exploded and the crew ejected, although only Cdr Wilber appears to have survived the ejection and was captured. Cdr Wilber had suffered major injuries during his ejection and alienated himself, along with a small number of colleagues, from the rest of the POWs to the extent that Cdr Stockdale accused Wilber of mutiny. Cdr Wilber, who was VF-102’s executive officer and was on his 20th mission when he was shot down, was released with the first batch of POWs on 12 February 1973. This Phantom was the last US Navy aircraft that would be lost to a MiG until 27 April 1972, although an F-4B was lost during a dogfight on 17 August when it was shot down by one of its own kind. |
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