OFFICIAL STATUS: MISSING

CASE SUMMARY: SEE ATTACHED

RATIONALE FOR SELECTION: After he had made a successful landing, search and rescue aircraft were able to make voice contact with Capt Mellor. He indicated at that time that he was all right, although later attempts to locate him either by voice or electronic contact was unsuccessful. No reports of Capt Mellor's death have been received since the date of the incident.

REFNO: 0124 20 Apr 76

(U) CASE SUMMARY

1. On 13 August 1965 Capt Frederick M. Mellor departed Udorn RTAFB in an RF101, (#56-0186), as the flight leader of a flight of two aircraft to conduct photo and visual reconnaissance of a suspected surface-to-air missile (SAM) site in North Vietnam. During the flight over the target area Capt Mellor's aircraft was damaged by hostile ground fire. His radio became inoperative and the wingman noticed a fire in the nose wheel-well area of the flight leader's aircraft. Capt Mellor, using hand signals, instructed his wingman to assume the lead. The wingman did assume the lead and noticed that Capt Mellor was in a g good close, wing position for weather penetration; the weather was very poor with layered clouds from the ground to 35,000 feet.

2. After a short time in the lead position, the wingman turned to check the damaged aircraft, and it was missing. An immediate search was begun, but Capt Mellor could not be found. Search and rescue facilities were alerted, and additional RF101 pilots established radio beeper signals and voice contact with Capt Mellor. Capt Mellor indicated that he was all right and that the search aircraft had flown right over him. On the first search the helicopters were unable to locate Capt Mellor. On the second search one of the RF101 pilots who had made the radio contact with Capt Mellor on the ground went along in the backseat of an AlE. On this search a strong beeper was heard. Capt Mellor was instructed not to give his position away; to turn his beeper off; and to await helicopter pick up. When the helicopter was two miles away, broadcast instructions were given to Capt Mellor to throw out flares for marking the pick-up point. No flares were seen and no no further contact was made with Capt Mellor. Search was continued until darkness that day, (3 August), and for the next two days an expanded area was searched but Capt Mellor could not be found. (Ref 1)

3. The best last-known location, as determined by the search personnel is grid coordinates (GC) VJ 845 220. The crash site 4S listed in the general location of (GC) VJ 850 250; the actual aircraft wreckage was not found. (Ref 2)

4. During the existence of JCRC, the hostile threat in the area precluded any visits to or ground inspections of the sites involved in this case. This individual's name and identifying data were turned over to the Four-Party Joint Military Team with a request for any information available. No response was forthcoming. Capt Mellor is currently carried in the status of Missing.

REFERENCES USED

1. MSG (U), DEPCMDR 2 ADIV UDORN RTAFB, 150721Z Aug- 65.

2. RPT (U), 365th TFW, AF Form 484 w/statements, 21 Aug 65.