MORRISON, JOSEPH, Maj., USAF

OFFICIAL STATUS: FRANCISCO: MISSING

MORRISON: DEAD, BODY NOT RECOVERED

CASE SUMMARY: SEE ATTACHED

RATIONALE FOR SELECTION: Voice contact was made with lLt Francisco and Maj. Morrison by the search and rescue aircraft. A Hanoi newspaper article describes the shooting down of a U.S. aircraft that correlates with this case by date, location,, and type of aircraft. The article also states that the pilots of this aircraft were captured. No subsequent reports of death have been received for either individual.

REFNO: 1329 20 Apr 76

(U) CASE SUMMARY

1. On 25 November 1968 Maj. Joseph Morrison aircraft commander, and lLt San D. Francisco, pilot, were the crew of an F4D. (#66-7523), on a reconnaissance-escort mission over North Vietnam. As the reconnaissance aircraft started his mission in the target area, he heard that his escort aircraft had been hit. He aborted his mission immediately, but did not see the escort aircraft crash. He did hear a steady beeper, and then scrambled search and rescue forces (SAR). The wreckage was located on the side of a hill at grid coordinates (GC) XE 270 185. When the SAR forces arrived, they attempted a pickup at (GC) XE 272 186, but were driven off by small arms fire. Due to adverse weather conditions, the SAR effort was discontinued for the first day. The next morning a Forward Air Controller (FAC) was on station but fog in the area hindered his search. As the fog dissipated the downed pilot's location was confirmed again. However, due to adverse weather SAR forces were not in the area at that time,, which delayed the rescue attempt. When the SAR forces did arrive, radio contact was lost and could not be re-established. The Parachute that had been visible the day before had disappeared. All efforts to re-establish contact with the crew failed. (Ref 1)

2. On 26 November 1968, The Peoples Army newspaper carried an article that congratulated the people of Quang Binh for shooting down an F4 on 25 November 1968, and that the pilots were captured alive (NFI). (Ref 2)

3. (U) In May 1973 JCRC proposed that the US Delegate to the Four-Party Joint Military Team should suggest this site as a possible operation in North Vietnam. Hostile threat precluded any other actions to resolve this case during the existence of JCRC. Details of this case together with information indicating enemy knowledge of the case were turned over to the Four-Party Joint Military Team with a request for any information which would assist in determining status and resolution on 12 December 1973. No response was forthcoming. 1LT. Francisco is currently carried in the status of Missing. Maj. Morrison is currently carried in the presumptive status of Dead, Body Not Recovered.

REFERENCES USED

1. RPT (U), 432 TFW AF Form 484 w/statments, 17 Dec 68.

2. RPT (U), Interpretation of Nhan Dan, 26 Nov 68.

ASSOCIATED INDIVIDUALS

1. San D. Francisco 1329-0-01.

2. Joseph Morrison 1329-0-02