On November 10, 1967, Lt. Col. Kelly F. Cook, pilot, and 1Lt. James A. Crew,
bombardier/navigator were the crew of one F4C in a flight of two which departed Da Nang Airbase, South Vietnam on an operational mission. The crew of the second aircraft was the pilot, Maj. James S. Morgan, and the
rear-seater, 1Lt. Charles J. Huneycutt.
Both F4’s were tracked to their target area of Dong Hoa in North Vietnam, but because of
inclement weather, were directed to an alternate target nearby. Positive radar and radio contact was maintained with the
both aircraft until the point when their bombing dives were to begin. All contact was then lost.
Electronic searches were negative. Ground search was not conducted since the incident occurred over heavily defended territory about 14 miles southeast of Dong Hoi on the coast of North Vietnam. All four men aboard were classified Missing in Action.
A North Vietnamese general was quoted in an article saying a women’s militia shot down two F4C recon planes that same day and captured "both bandits" alive. As four, not two, individuals are concerned in this incident, it is unclear which of the four the article could relate to. However, according to a 1974 publication from a POW organization named
FACK, the Defense Department acknowledged at one time that James A. Crew was, indeed, a prisoner of war. His status was
not, however, changed from Missing in Action. According to a 1974 list published by the National League of Families, Charles J. Huneycutt survived his loss incident.
In the Peace agreements signed in Paris in 1973, the Vietnamese pledged to release all American prisoners of war and account for the missing. They have done neither. The U.S. Government has named the return and full accounting of Americans "highest national priority", yet has dealt with the issue with less than high priority.
In 1988, the Vietnamese "discovered" and returned to U.S. control the remains of 1Lt. Charles J.
Huneycutt, Jr. The other three pilots lost on November 10, 1967 remain missing, and the Vietnamese deny knowledge of their fates. For 21 years, Huneycutt was a Prisoner of War - whether he was alive or dead.
Since the war ended, nearly 10,000 reports relating to Americans missing in Southeast Asia have been received by the U.S. Many authorities are convinced that there are still hundreds of Americans alive, held captive. Cook, Crew, and Morgan could be among them. They and the others who remain missing deserve the full effort of their country to bring them home.
Kelly F. Cook was an instructor at the U.S. Air Force Academy prior to volunteering for Vietnam service. James A. Crew graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1965. James S. Morgan’s wife, Eleanor died of cancer in 1985, not knowing the fate of her husband.
Special Thanks to Mrs. Lynda Twyman
Paffrath for her assistance in obtaining additional information with regard to
Major Crew. http://www.angelsunknown.net/
Passage from Major Crew's Academy Graduation Yearbook (Provided
by Mr. Ken Wright):
"A Windler,
Pennsylvania
, coal mine product, Jim came out of the darkness to study architecture at Pitt
and worked as a draftsman. An Engineering Science major, he is an accomplished
wrestler, and led his wrestling and lacrosse teams to Wing championship
playoffs. Not a wild man with women, Jim has had the "special girl"
picked out for some time. "Trainer Gramps" is looking to pilot
training and more work in architecture. The oldest troop in the squadron and a
real easy going fellow, Jim has ideas of "settling down" --- but now
let's get serious!"
Please Note: I believe "Windler" should
actually be "Windber," as the Major is from Windber,
Pennsylvania. Must have 'type-o'd' in the final print.
Incidental Information
