| Date: 29 March 1969 |
| Aircraft type: F-4D Phantom |
| Serial Number: 66-8809 |
| Military Unit: 390 TFS, 366 TFW |
| Service: USAF |
| Home Base: Da Nang |
| Name(s): |
| Capt William J Popendorf (Survived) |
| 1Lt Frederick William Hess (KIA) |
| Capt Popendorf and 1Lt Hess were assigned a mission to defoliate a segment of Route 915 that lay near Ban Topen, 15 miles southwest of the Ban Karai Pass. As the formation of three aircraft came round for its second run at 100 feet and 500 knots, Popendorf’s Phantom (call sign Lariet 3) was hit by small arms fire. Capt Popendorf pulled up but the aircraft started rolling uncontrollably and he and 1Lt Hess ejected moments before the aircraft crashed into a hillside. Capt Popendorf was injured but was rescued three hours later by a HH-3E helicopter from the 37th ARRS. However, despite a 10-hour search, Frederick Hess could not be located and was posted as missing in action. In May 1979 his status was changed to presumptively killed in action. |
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