| Date: 22 January 1969 |
| Aircraft type: F-4B Phantom |
| Serial Number: 152260 |
| Military Unit: VMFA-115, MAG-13 |
| Service: USMC |
| Home Base: Chu Lai |
| Name(s): |
| 1Lt William E Collins (Survived) |
| 1Lt Daniel Joseph Minahan (KIA) |
| The first Marine Corps Phantom lost to enemy action in 1969 was shot down during a close air support mission 17 miles south of Hué. The aircraft (call sign Lovebug 456) was dropping napalm on enemy troop positions when it was hit in the cockpit by ground fire. Although the pilot tried to make for the coast the aircraft only managed to fly a couple of miles before the crew were forced to eject. Both crew were recovered by a HH-3E helicopter from the 37th ARRS, but the backseater, 1Lt Minahan, was found to be dead and the pilot badly injured. |
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