| Date: 1 September 1966 |
| Aircraft type: F-104C Starfighter |
| Serial Number: 57-0913 |
| Military Unit: 435 TFS, 8 TFW |
| Service: USAF |
| Home Base: Udorn |
| Name(s): |
| Maj Norman Schmidt (POW (died)) |
| Although known to be unsuited to the armed reconnaissance role the Starfighter was occasionally used for such missions as well as for escort duties and direct air support. Maj Schmidt’s aircraft (call sign Fresno) was hit by AAA as it pulled up from an attack on a truck park near Troc, 25 miles northwest of Dong Hoi. The aircraft flew for a further 10 miles towards the northwest before Maj Schmidt was forced to eject and, despite an intense rescue effort, was captured and held in captivity in the infamous Hoa Lo prison, the so-called Hanoi Hilton. In August 1967 Maj Schmidt was taken from his cell to the interrogation room and never returned. Some of his fellow POWs heard sounds coming from the interrogation room and believe that Norm Schmidt was beaten to death by his guards. In March 1974 Maj Schmidt’s remains were returned to the USA, presumably having been buried within the prison precincts since 1967. |
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