On June 2, 1965 a pilot crashed near Sam Son, Vietnam. The pilot was Lieutenant Junior Grade David Marion Christian. Plants, a Aviation Electronics Technician Third Class, was tasked to rescue Christian. Plant's plane (a EA-1F Douglas A-1 Skyraider) took off of USS Midway. Christian crashed because of Anti-Aircraft Artillery and when Plants' crew arrived at the scene, it too was hit with flak. The plane went down in flames. One crewmember was able to eject out of the plane, but hit the water without a parachute. The crew of four all died in the crash.