Edwin Ray Conner

Senior Chief Aviation Machinist
VAQ-135, CVW-15, USS CORAL SEA
United States Navy
27 March 1935 - 16 May 1970
Hillsboro, TX
Panel 10W Line 048

USS CORAL SEA

VAQ-135
A-3

USN Aircrew

Air Medal, National Defense, Vietnam Service, RVN Campaign medals

The database page for Edwin Ray Conner

Dad, it has been over 30 years since you went on your last cruise. A lot has happened since then. You have always been in my thoughts and prayers. Your memory is treasured in my house and I make sure that my children at least have an idea of who you were. They know you were a man of principle and a hard working honest man. I know that you did what you enjoyed and that was flying. I will always honor your memory and remember, all of us miss you terribly.

Love You, your son Dave

Virtual Wall Notes

On May 15,1969, one of VAQ-130's detachments was enlarged into a new Tactical Electronic Warfare squadron, VAQ-135, homeported at NAS Alameda, California. The new unit first deployed to Southeast Asia aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) in September, 1969.

On 16 May 1970, one of VAQ-135's EKA-3B aircraft (BuNo 142657) was transiting from the Naval Air Station at Cubi Point, Philippines, to USS CORAL SEA on Yankee Station. As the aircraft approached Yankee Station it was diverted to land at Danang Air Base in South Vietnam. During the diversion radar contact was lost. Search and rescue operations found wreckage and recovered the body of one crewman. Three men died in the loss:

  • CDR Richard R. Skeen, pilot
  • LCDR Eugene F. McNally, navigator (body recovered)
  • ADCS Edwin R. Conner, flight engineer


The point-of-contact for this memorial is
his son,
David R Conner
DrConner@aol.com 
17 Jan 2003



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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 01/17/2003