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Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project with the assistance of Task Force Omega from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Date Compiled: 01 January 1990
REMARKS: DEAD/IR 1516-0406-71
UPDATE: Remains Returned - ID Announced 20 November 1989
SYNOPSIS: The F105 Thunderchief ("Thud"), in its various versions, flew more
missions against North Vietnam than any other U.S. aircraft. It also suffered
more losses, partially due to its vulnerability, which was constantly under
revision. Between 1965 and 1971, the aircraft was equipped with armor plate, a
secondary flight control system, an improved pilot ejection seat, a more
precise navigation system, better blind bombing capability and ECM pods for the
wings. The D version was a single-place aircraft.
Eighty-six F-105Ds fitted with radar homing and warning gear formed the
backbone of the Wild Weasel program, initiated in 1965 to improve the Air
Force's electronic warfare capability. Upon pinpointing the radar at a missile
site, the Wild Weasel attacked with Shrike missiles that homed on radar
emissions. The versatile aircraft was also credited with downing 25 Russian
MiGs. Thirteen of these modified F's were sent to Southeast Asia in 1966.
Capt. Gordon B. Blackwood was the pilot of an F105D assigned a mission over
North Vietnam on May 27, 1967. During the mission, near the city of Bac Giang
in Ha Bac Province, North Vietnam, Blackwood's aircraft was shot down and he
was classified Missing in Action.
Intelligence sources later reported that Capt. Blackwood was dead, but U.S. Air
Force public information does not reveal details of this report. Capt.
Blackwood's name and case information have been given to the Vietnamese as one
of several score "discrepancy cases" on which the Vietnamese should have
knowledge, but no information has been forthcoming.
Finally, on November 20, 1989, the U.S. Government announced that remains
returned by the Vietnamese had been positively identified as being those of
Capt. Gordon B. Blackwood. For his family, the long wait was over.
Still, reports continue to mount and many authorities are convinced that
hundreds of Americans are still alive in captivity, Blackwood's family now
knows that he is dead. They may never for sure know how - or when - he died.
Are we doing enough to bring those men who are still alive home?