| Our Chapter's Adopted MIA Commander James David LaHaye, US Navy F8D Pilot Home City - Green Bay, WI MIA -May 08 1965 during Operation Rolling Thunder, N. Vietnam Loss Coordinates: 185000N 1054659E (WF825824) |
CDR. James D. LaHaye was the pilot of an F8D Crusader launched on May 8,
1965 for a mission over North Vietnam.
At a point about 10 miles from shore and 20 miles northeast of the city of Vinh, in
Nghe An Province, CDR. LaHaye's aircraft was shot down. Accompanying
aircraft stated that LaHaye's aircraft had been hit and evaded over water for
easier possible rescue. LaHaye apparently did not eject, as aircraft observed no
parachutes. It was felt that CDR. LaHaye was killed when his aircraft went down.
Since the war ended, nearly 10,000 reports relating to Americans missing,
prisoner or unaccounted for in Southeast Asia have been received by the U.S.
Government.
Many authorities who have examined this largely classified information are
convinced that hundreds of Americans are still held captive today. Fighter pilots
in Vietnam were called upon to fly in many dangerous circumstances, and were
prepared to be wounded, killed, or captured. It probably never occurred to them
that they could be abandoned by the country they proudly served.
1965 for a mission over North Vietnam.
At a point about 10 miles from shore and 20 miles northeast of the city of Vinh, in
Nghe An Province, CDR. LaHaye's aircraft was shot down. Accompanying
aircraft stated that LaHaye's aircraft had been hit and evaded over water for
easier possible rescue. LaHaye apparently did not eject, as aircraft observed no
parachutes. It was felt that CDR. LaHaye was killed when his aircraft went down.
Since the war ended, nearly 10,000 reports relating to Americans missing,
prisoner or unaccounted for in Southeast Asia have been received by the U.S.
Government.
Many authorities who have examined this largely classified information are
convinced that hundreds of Americans are still held captive today. Fighter pilots
in Vietnam were called upon to fly in many dangerous circumstances, and were
prepared to be wounded, killed, or captured. It probably never occurred to them
that they could be abandoned by the country they proudly served.
| A photo of a F8D Crusader - the type of fighter flown by CMD. LaHaye |
| Waiting for the day we can say "Welcome Home Brother" |
| Mrs. Gloria LaHaye |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
It would not appear that LaHaye survived to be captured. But one can imagine that he would cheerfully be one of the
first in line to help bring his comrades home to freedom.
first in line to help bring his comrades home to freedom.
 | |  | |  | |  |
