| Date: 8 April 1969 |
| Aircraft type: OV-10A Bronco |
| Serial Number: 155420 |
| Military Unit: VMO-2, MAG-16 |
| Service: USMC |
| Home Base: Marble Mountain |
| Name(s): |
| 1Lt Joseph L Stone (Survived) |
| 1Lt M R Cathey (Survived) |
| The first OV-10 lost in action in 1969 belonged to the Marines. The aircraft was on a visual reconnaissance mission about 20 miles south of Da Nang when the crew attacked a river crossing point. As it was making its third strafing pass the aircraft’s port engine was stuck by small arms fire. The aircraft soon became uncontrollable and the other engine failed forcing the crew to eject. They landed close together in the middle of at least two companies of NVA soldiers but fortunately a Marine Corps UH-1E pilot saw the ejection and landed close by. Stone and Cathey did not have time to get in the helicopter but stood on the skids and clung on as it took off and returned them safely to Da Nang. |
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