OFFICIAL STATUS: MISSING

CASE SUMMARY: SEE ATTACHED

RATIONALE FOR SELECTION: Capt. Jones was seen to eject successfully and descend with a good parachute. There is no further information indicating that he was captured or killed.

REFNO: 0970 20 Apr 76

(U) CASE SUMMARY

1. On 5 January 1968, Capt. William E. Jones was the pilot of the number three aircraft (#61-0068), in a flight of four F105D's on a strike mission over NVN. After pulling off target Capt. Jones radioed that his aircraft had been hit by flak. Capt. Jones engaged the emergency flight control system and headed for the coast. About two minutes later the aircraft was observed to nose down and Capt. Jones ejected. A good parachute was seen and a beeper signal was heard. The parachute was observed all the way to ground contact in the vicinity of grid coordinates (GC) XJ 522 448, but Capt. Jones was never observed on the ground.

2. The estimated impact point of the aircraft is in the vicinity of (GC) XJ 528 448. The other flight members orbited the area for about 15 minutes,, however, no voice contact could be established with Capt.. Jones, although his beeper continued to broadcast after the flight members' departed the area. Another flight also attempted unsuccessfully to establish radio contact with Capt. Jones. No SAR was conducted due to the location. (Ref 1)

3. 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. Jones is currently carried in the status of Missing.

REFERENCE USED

1. RPT (U), 388TFW, AF Form 484 w/statements 21 Jan. 68.