Eric Parker Brice

Lieutenant
VF-33, CVW-6, USS AMERICA
United States Navy
06 April 1943 - 04 June 1968
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Panel 60W Line 008

USS AMERICA

VF-33
F-4

Naval Aviator

Purple Heart, Air Medal, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Eric Parker Brice

24 Nov 2003

USS AMERICA's first combat loss
1968

Not forgotten
by his shipmates.

Ken Davis
Attack Squadron 85
USS AMERICA
kjd0119@alltel.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall

On 04 June 1968 a flight of Phantoms from Fighter Squadron 33 were tasked against a road intersection about 15 miles south of Vinh. Immediately after bomb release, F-4J BuNo 155554, crewed by LT Eric P. Brice and LTjg William A. Simmons, was hit by 37mm antiaircraft fire. Finding himself with only partial hydraulics and throttles jammed in full military power, Brice headed for open water.

When about 25 miles off-shore the aircraft caught fire and Brice directed ejection. Simmons ejected without difficulty from the back seat, but the pilot's canopy failed to leave the aircraft. Brice's wingmen watched helplessly as Brice attempted to push the canopy free so that he too could eject - and they watched as the burning aircraft, with Eric Bryce still aboard, went into the sea. His body was not recovered.



Section 49 Lot 166 Space 2a
Pineview Cemetery
South Rocky Mount
North Carolina


The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a shipmate from VA-85,
Ken Davis
kjd0119@alltel.net



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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 24 Nov 2003
Last updated 04/11/2008