| Date: 3 July 1966 |
| Aircraft type: F-5C Freedom Fighter |
| Serial Number: 64-13319 |
| Military Unit: 10 FCS, 3 TFW |
| Service: USAF |
| Home Base: Bien Hoa |
| Name(s): |
| Capt David Joseph Phillips (KIA) |
| The Skoshi Tiger detachment had completed its combat evaluation in March with the loss of only one aircraft. Redesignated the 10th Fighter Commando Squadron, the unit stayed on at Bien Hoa and supplemented the F-100s and VNAF aircraft in providing close air support for ground forces throughout South Vietnam. The unit lost its second aircraft and pilot on 3 July when Capt Phillips was shot down by small arms fire as he was about to drop napalm on a VC position five miles west of Ben Cat, 20 miles north of Saigon. Investigations into the loss of the F-5C were conducted in Vietnam between 1993 and 2000 and two excavations of a crash site took place beginning in 2004. Human remains and personal effects were recovered and these led to a positive identification of the remains belonging to Capt Phillips. His remains were brought home for burial in Savannah, Georgia. |
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