| Date: 21 June 1966 |
| Aircraft type: RF-8A Crusader |
| Serial Number: 146830 |
| Military Unit: Detachment L, VFP-63 |
| Service: USN |
| Home Base: USS Hancock |
| Name(s): |
| Lt Leonard Corbett Eastman (POW) |
| The Hancock lost two Crusaders on the 21st, the first being a photographic reconnaissance aircraft (call sign Cork Tip 909) from the carrier’s VFP-63 detachment. Lt Eastman was flying along the main railway line about 20 miles northeast of Kep at 3,500 feet and 500 knots when the aircraft was hit in the tail by AAA. The aircraft caught fire forcing Lt Eastman to eject and fall into the hands of the North Vietnamese although not before four Crusaders set up a RESCAP over the pilot in the vain hope of a rescue. Eastman had flown about 45 reconnaissance missions before being shot down. He was released on 12 February 1973 and resumed his naval career. This was the third photo Crusader lost by the Hancock within the space of three months and was the last RF-8A model lost in action during the war. |
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