Background Information:
The Phantom, used by Air Force, Marine and Navy air wings,
served a multitude of functions including fighter-bomber and interceptor, photo
and electronic surveillance. The two man aircraft was extremely fast (Mach 2),
and had a long range (900 - 2300 miles, depending on stores and mission type).
The F4 was also extremely maneuverable and handled well at low and high altitudes.
The F4 was selected for a number of state-of-the-art electronics conversions,
which improved radar intercept and computer bombing capabilities enormously. Most
pilots considered it one of the "hottest" planes around.
Capt. Donald R. Kemmerer and Capt. Albert L. Page, Jr. were co-pilots of
an F4C fighter jet dispatched from Da Nang on a strike mission over North
Vietnam on August 6, 1967. Their aircraft was the lead plane in a two-aircraft
flight.
When Page and Kemmerer were over the target, their aircraft was seen to
be hit by hostile fire. Page and Kemmerer radioed that they were ejecting while
the aircraft was still near the target area. One engine was observed to be on
fire, and the aircraft crashed in the water. The flight was, at that time, about
10 miles north of the city of Vinh Linh in Quang Binh Province, North Vietnam.
The aircraft crashed less than 5 miles offshore.
No parachutes had been observed exiting the failing aircraft, nor had
emergency radio beeper signals been heard. It was not certain if either crewman
safely exited the aircraft, but as death was not confirmed, the two were classified
Missing in Action.
Since American involvement in Vietnam ended in 1975, nearly 10,000
reports relating to Americans missing, prisoner, or otherwise unaccounted for
in Indochina have been received by the U.S. Government. Many officials,
having examined this largely classified information, have reluctantly concluded
that many Americans are still alive today, held captive by our long-ago enemy.
Whether Page and Kemmerer survived the over-water crash of their aircraft to be
captured by the multitude of enemy fishing and military vessels often
found along the coastline is certainly not known. It is not known if they might
be among those thought to be still alive today. What is certain, however, is that
as long as even one American remains alive, held against his will, we owe him
our very best efforts to bring him to freedom. |
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