| Date: 7 September 1972 |
| Aircraft type: A-7B Corsair |
| Serial Number: 154393 |
| Military Unit: VA-93 |
| Service: USN |
| Home Base: USS Midway |
| Name(s): |
| Lt Cdr Donald Arthur Gerstel (KIA) |
| Two Corsairs were inbound over the Gulf of Tonkin towards Vinh on a night armed reconnaissance mission against enemy shipping when the leader’s aircraft (call sign Raven Jet 307) was struck by lightning. Lt Cdr Gerstel reported that the aircraft seemed OK but after that nothing more was heard from him. The aircraft is presumed to have crashed into the sea near Hon Nieu Island either as a direct result of the lightning strike, or pilot distraction or to enemy ground defences. An extensive search of the area failed to find any sign of wreckage or the pilot. |
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