7 Aug 2004 REMEMBERED by a shipmate. E-mail address is not available.

 

16 Jun 2007 I have had LCDR Holmes' POW/MIA bracelet since I was in high school. I would like to say my thoughts continue to be with his family. Kathy James E-mail address is not available.

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 30 Dec 1971 Carrier Air Wing 9 aboard USS CONSTELLATION launched a combined A-6/A-7/F-4 strike against Yen Dung near the city of Vinh, North Vietnam. Because a solid undercast precluded dive-bombing, the strike aircraft were led by an A-6A pathfinder; the intention was that the entire strike package would follow the INTRUDER's lead in delivering their ordnance from straight-and-level flight at 12,000 feet. The only problem with this approach was the vulnerability of the strike package to antiaircraft and surface-to-air missile fire. As the package crossed the beach an SA-2 missile burst through the undercast and exploded near the lead A-6, which promptly became engulfed in flames and broke up. The bombardier-navigator, LT W. Burton, survived with injuries and was picked up just off-shore by a SAR helicopter, but the pilot, then-LCDR F. L. Holmes, could not be located and was classed as Missing in Action. None of the POWs who returned two months later had any knowledge of LCDR Holmes and he was continued in MIA status until 12 April 1975 when the Secretary of the Navy approved a Presumptive Finding of Death. Holmes was promoted to Commander while in MIA status. His remains have not been repatriated.

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