26 May 2008 Phil Craig took his Navy jet training in Meridian, Mississippi in 1964. The photo shows Phil relaxing back in Pensacola Beach in 1964 as he trained for his first aircraft carrier landings aboard the USS ESSEX. Phil was unassuming but likeable. We were classmates in flight training. In North Vietnam in 1967 Phil returned from a mission in his A4 Skyhawk on the way home to his carrier, the USS INTREPID. He was not heard from after he crossed the beach. We're proud of Phil's skills as a naval aviator and his devotion to our country. We're sorry, however, that he was not able to come home with us to live out the rest of his life. With respect, Pete Michael San Diego pmichael9970@sbcglobal.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 04 July 1967 a flight of four A-4s launched from USS INTREPID for a strike on the railroad yard at Hai Duong. LT Craig, in A-4C BuNo 148544, was flying wing in the second section; his lead was a LCDR Moreau. The strike was conducted successfully and the four aircraft headed for the coastline. At this point LCDR Moreau had visual contact with what he believed to be Craig's aircraft, and that contact was maintained until shortly before Moreau went "feet wet". As was customary, the flight lead requested "feet wet" calls, and some of the pilots believed they heard Craig call feet wet. If he did, the call was a bit premature - Craig was hit by AAA fire and crashed about 10 kilometers inland. He did not eject before ground impact. On the US side, search and rescue efforts were fruitless and LT Craig was classed as missing in action, a status maintained until he was declared dead on 07 July 1978. The North Vietnamese recovered his body from the wreckage and buried it nearby. They did not, however, report Craig's death through the International Red Cross or other agencies, nor did they repatriate his remains until 26 Nov 1986. On 19 Feb 1987 now-Commander Craig's remains were positively identified.

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