| The Incident
1Lt. Sammy A. Martin was a
pilot trained for the "backseat" duties on the Phantom
fighter/bomber aircraft. His job included such things as
navigation, bombardier, or weapons systems operation, depending
on the type of aircraft and variety of mission. Martin was
assigned to the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Da Nang, South
Vietnam.
On 27 December 1967 Martin and
his pilot were assigned an armed reconnaissance mission over
North Vietnam. Armed reconnaissance, in combat terms, really
meant "look for targets and destroy them." During the mission
Martin's aircraft was struck by hostile fire in the Quang Binh
Province area. Martin and his pilot were able to guide the
aircraft over water to facilitate rescue when they
ejected.
Both Martin and his pilot
ejected safely and rescue operations proceeded normally. The
pilot was recovered, but when Martin was hoisted out of the water
by rescue helicopter, he slipped out of the rescue sling and
dropped back into the water. Martin was lost from sight in a
large wave. According to the Department of the Air Force,
"evidence of [Martin's] death due to drowning was received" on 28
December 1967. The nature of the evidence is not stated, but
Martin's body was not recovered.
Sammy A. Martin is listed among
the missing because his remains were never found to send home to
the country he served.
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