  VA-93 Blue Blazer A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 152022, side number NF 300 was shot down by anti-aircraft fire over North Vietnam. Lieutenant Junior Grade Read Mecleary, United States Navy successfully ejected, was captured and made Prisoner-Of-War. Lieutenant Junior Grade Read Mecleary's May 26, 1967 and last flight in the Vietnam War was in a division of flak suppressors leading an Alpha Strike. These are his words: "On my 56th mission, the plane I was piloting [NM 302, BuNo. 152022] was hit by a surface -to-air missile when on a strike against Kep Airfield 60km east of Hanoi. When I ejected I was badly injured due to the 600+ mile-an-hour windblast and was unable to walk for about two months." "I was held prisoner in seven different prison camps in and around Hanoi and one about 10km south of the Chinese border. Like most other American POWs I was tortured with ropes for military and political information. On March 4, 1973, after 69 months and five days I was released." "I was awarded the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal and Navy Commendation Medal." LTJG Read Mecleary |