| Date: 26 May 1972 |
| Aircraft type: TA-4F Skyhawk |
| Serial Number: 153508 |
| Military Unit: H&MS-15, MAG-15 |
| Service: USMC |
| Home Base: Da Nang |
| Name(s): |
| Capt William E Ramsbottom (Survived) |
| CWO2 Bruce Edward Boltze (Survived) |
| The Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron detachment that deployed to Da Nang on 16 April with MAG-15 had a small number of two-seat TA-4F Skyhawks for Fast FAC, visual reconnaissance and other duties. It was while on a reconnaissance mission that the crew of a TA-4F (call sign Wine Leaf 4) spotted an enemy tank about 15 miles northwest of Hué and decided to strafe it with 20mm cannon fire. As the aircraft pulled up through 4,500 feet from its first run it was suddenly hit in the aft fuselage by an SA-7 missile. Although the Skyhawk was badly damaged, Capt Ramsbottom flew back towards Da Nang but he and his observer were forced to eject over the sea about 10 miles southeast of the airfield and were rescued by a HH-43F from the 37th ARRS. CWO2 Boltze was killed on 6 October while flying on a naval gunfire observation mission in a USAF OV-10. |
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