OFFICIAL STATUS: MISSING

CASE SUMMARY: SEE ATTACHED

RATIONALE FOR SELECTION: Capt. Warren was observed to eject successfully. He was in radio contact with aircraft for approximately two hours after ejecting and indicated that he was in relatively good condition, although he was receiving ground fire. No subsequent reports have been received which would indicate Capt. Warren was captured or dead.

REFNO: 0541 20 Apr 76

(U) CASE SUMMARY

1. On 5 December 1966, Capt. Arthur L. Warren was flying the lead RF101, (#56-0165), in a flight of two aircraft on a photographic reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam. Capt. [blank] pilot of the second RF101, stated that the flight aborted their mission just short of the target due to a low ceiling (poor weather conditions) in the area.

2. During their return flight Capt. Warren experienced heading indicator (navigation instrument) trouble and told Capt. [blank] to take the lead. While flying at 500 feet, Capt. Warren reported ground fire and both aircraft initiated a climb. Capt. Warren called that he was hit, Then Capt. [blank] saw Capt. Warren's aircraft on fire and told him to shut down his engine, but received no reply, Capt. [blank] then went to guard frequency and told Capt Warren to bail out. Again he received no reply, but observed a good ejection and saw a good parachute. He also heard a good beeper signal. The aircraft impacted in the vicinity of grid coordinates (GC) VJ 759 976. Capt. [blank] alerted rescue personnel, give Capt Warren's location, and returned to base.

3. Capt. [blank], pilot of another RF101 who was diverted to the area, established voice contact with Capt Warren in the vicinity of (GC) VK 775 012. Capt. Warren reported he was in good condition but was receiving extensive ground fire. Two hours later communication was lost with Capt. Warren (20 minutes prior to the arrival of the SAR Team) and was never regained. Extraction could not be attempted due to the intense ground fire in the area. Capt. Warren was never seen on the around by either Capt. or the SAR team. (Ref 1)

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. Capt Warren is currently carried in the status of Missing.

REFERENCE USED

1. RPT (U), 432CSG, AF Form 484 W/statement, 4 Jan 67.