| Date: 30 August 1968 |
| Aircraft type: A-4F Skyhawk |
| Serial Number: 154981 |
| Military Unit: VA-93 |
| Service: USN |
| Home Base: USS Bon Homme Richard |
| Name(s): |
| Lt Cdr Harvey Andrew Eikel (Survived) |
| Another aircraft was lost in the Vinh Son region when a section of Skyhawks was scouting over the area on an armed reconnaissance mission. The section found an anti-aircraft gun position and were jinking to avoid its deadly fire prior to commencing a bombing run. Lt Cdr Eikel’s aircraft (call sign Raven316) was hit as it was in a turn at 5,000 feet causing a partial loss of control. All the aircraft’s systems failed in quick succession leading to a total loss of control forcing Lt Cdr Eikel to eject 25 miles northwest of Vinh. Despite being some 30 miles inland, the pilot was rescued from capture by a Navy SH-3 helicopter. Lt Cdr Eikel later converted to the A-7 and was shot down by a SAM while flying with VA-94 from the USS Coral Sea on 24 May 1972.
HC-7 Rescue Helicopter Combat Support Squadron SEVEN (HC-7) was established September 1, 1967. While simultaneously providing several fleet support activities in the Gulf of Tonkin, HC-7 assumed the responsibility for North Vietnam naval combat search and rescue. HC-7 prepared for action using UH-2B Kaman Sea Sprite helos inherited from HC-1 and were stationed in detachments aboard small boys, destroyers (DDs) and Guided Missile Frigates (DLGs), patrolling off the coast of North Vietnam primarily for the purpose of Search and Rescue (SAR) duty. The information at the following link was compiled by Ron Milam, the historian for HC-7, from ship's deck logs, official HC-7 Rescue Reports, other official and unofficial documents, interviews with crew members and survivors, and other sources, including the Chris Hobson book upon which this site is based. The details for the rescue associated with this fixed wing loss can be accessed by clicking on this link. |
You may return to your search results, go to the Search Form, or go back to the Home Page.