Pilot Lt. Lewis I. Williams
and Bombardier/Navigator
Lt. Cdr. Michael D. Christian
were assigned to Attack Squadron 85 onboard the USS KITTY HAWK (CVA
63). On April 24, 1967, their A6A Intruder attack bomber was
launched on a daylight strike mission into North Vietnam.
Approximately 3 miles from the target, their port (left) wing was hit by
85mm anti-aircraft fire and was subsequently engulfed in flames.
Lt. Williams reversed course and jettisoned his ordnance before
both crewmen ejected. Both men were seen to land in an open field
about 100 yards apart and established radio contact with airborne
aircraft. The crewmen appeared uninjured and reported their
condition as good. The ejection occurred in a well-defended,
populated area near the city of Kep in Ha Bac Province, and capture was
almost
immediate.
Williams and Christian were held in various locations in Hanoi, North
Vietnam before they were released in March 1973. Lewis I.
Williams, Jr
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Some extracts
used in this Biography were provided thanks
to the generosity of Charles and Mary Schantag who
also gave permission to include the following POWNET biography
link
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