670817- RA-5C lost to unknown causes- both crewmembers KIA

On 17 August, an RA-5C Vigilante of Reconnaissance Attack Squadron TWELVE was lost while conducting electronic surveillance operations in the Gulf of Tonkin. The crew, pilot CDR Laurent Dion (squadron Executive Officer) and navigator LTJG Charles Hom, were killed in action.

The cause of the loss has evidently never been firmly established. The planned surveillance track generally did not take them within range of NVN air defenses, with the possible exception of interceptor aircraft. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was flying at moderate altitude, around 10,000'. Only one radio transmission was received, "Eject, Charlie, eject" before contact was lost. The navigator's helmet was the only equipment recovered.

Speculation about causes is idle, especially without access to the accident report. But a few facts could be considered:

• • The RA-5C had the highest accident rate of all Navy aircraft, primarily due to its pushing-the-envelope design. Most accidents, however, took place during takeoff and landing. Accidents of this kind (catastrophic failure with little warning) were not unknown.

  • The RA-5C ejection seat was generally reliable, especially at altitude. It's difficult to conceive of an aircraft malfunction so serious and immediate that they didn't have time to exit the plane.

  • While a NVN snooper aircraft is a possibility, the Navy maintained very thorough air surveillance over the Gulf of Tonkin, both with air and surface elements. In particular, one ship, a guided missile cruiser, was designated as PIRAZ, radio call RED CROWN and tasked with maintaining air supremacy over the Gulf.

  • RA-5C missions, including electronic surveillance, were planned by the aircrew in consultation with air intelligence staff, but with with virtually no oversight above the squadron level.

  • The electronic surveillance tracks flown during these mission were fairly repetitive. Since the tracks were well out over the Gulf, the threat from ground air defenses were out of range., and the airborne threat nonexistent, there seemed to be no need to vary track placement, altitude, etc.

A memorial service was held aboard USS Constellation on 4 September 1967 (see below). The service was held on the hangar bay. Elevator 3 was lowered for the occasion, and the hanger bay doors opened during the service. LTJG Jerry Dake assisted in the casting of the wreaths. A memorial plaque was also placed at the RA-5C display at Sanford Airport, Florida (see bottom of page)