| Date: 21 April 1970 |
| Aircraft type: OV-10A Bronco |
| Serial Number: 155423 |
| Military Unit: VMO-2, MAG-11 |
| Service: USMC |
| Home Base: Da Nang |
| Name(s): |
| Maj Eugene Lacy Wheeler (KIA) |
| Capt Charles E Hatch (Survived) |
| In addition to its role as a FAC and close air support aircraft, the Bronco carried cameras that gave it a photographic reconnaissance capability. Maj Wheeler and Capt Hatch were taking photographs of a road near the border between South Vietnam and Laos about 12 miles west of Kham Duc when they were shot down. Flying at about 1,000 feet the aircraft (call sign Hostageman) was hit in the rear fuselage by either 37mm or 57mm AAA and caught fire. The crew ejected and Capt Hatch was recovered the next morning by a USAF HH-3E helicopter from the 37th ARRS but although Maj Wheeler was in voice contact with the rescue forces he was not recovered. It was assumed he had been killed by an enemy patrol that he reported was closing in on his position. Maj Wheeler had only started his tour of duty with VMO-2 the day before he was shot down. |
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