| Date: 7 November 1965 |
| Aircraft type: A-4E Skyhawk |
| Serial Number: 150071 |
| Military Unit: VA-163 |
| Service: USN |
| Home Base: USS Oriskany |
| Name(s): |
| Lt Cdr Charles Gale Wack (Survived) |
| The Air Force and Navy continued their campaign against the SAM sites as more were being constructed and made operational. A formation of Skyhawks from the Oriskany was despatched to attack a SAM site 10 miles southwest of Nam Dinh. Lt Cdr Wack took over as leader of the raid when the squadron commander’s aircraft developed a mechanical problem before launch. Wack’s aircraft (call sign Old Salt 343) was hit and badly damaged by ground fire as he rolled in on the target but he continued his bomb run before pointing the stricken aircraft out to sea and managed to get about 12 miles off the coast before he was forced to eject. This happened on the second day of the major SAR effort to recover the two Skyraider pilots and the crew of Jolly Green 85 and it was a measure of the cooperation between the services that Lt Cdr Wack was rescued by a USAF HU-16 piloted by 1Lt Joseph Kirby who landed close to the survivor within half a mile of several sampans that were heading in his direction. Charlie Wack was awarded the Silver Star for his leadership and determination during this mission. |
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