| My POW/MIA Naval Hero Richard Campbell Graves Ensign, United States Naval Reserve Attack Squadron 215 USS BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31) Date of Birth:� August 5, 1944 Place of Birth:� Richmond, Virginia Date of Loss:� May 25, 1967 Country of Loss:� North Viet Nam (over water) Loss Coordinates:� 185359N 1054200E Status:� Body Not Recovered On May 25, 1967, Ensign Richard C. Graves, a pilot assigned to Attack Squadron 215 (VA-215) on board the USS BON HOMME RICHARD (CVA-31), launched his A1H Skyraider on an armed coastal reconnaisance mission over North Viet Nam.� Ensign Graves was the wingman for Lieutenant O'Rourke on this mission.� The flight was to seek out and destroy enemy water-borne logistics traffic.� The lead aircraft started an attack on a small cargo boat with Ensign Graves immediately behind him.� Ensign Graves fired rockets on and around the enemy craft and pulled out of the run in a normal manner.� As his Skyraider approached a wing level climbing position, the left wing started to drop and the aircraft continued to lose altitude until it made contact with the water.� Ensign Grave's Skyraider exploded on contact and burst into flames.� Under the circumstances, Ensign Graves was unable to exit the aircraft.� An immediate search and rescue mission was started with the assistance of other Skyraider aircraft and a rescue helicopter in the area.� During the search, they were taken under fire from three anti-aircraft batteries located on the coast about a mile from the crash scene.� It is possible that Ensign Graves' aircraft was hit by these batteries during the pull-out of his rocket attack.� Ensign Graves is listed with honor on Panel 20E - Line 105 of the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial Wall because his body was never found.� His case seems clear, but for others who are listed as missing resolution is not as simple.� Many were known to have survived their being shot down as they were in radio contact with search teams and they described an advancing enemy.� Some men were photographed and recorded in captivity by the enemy while others simply vanished without a trace.� Reports continue to mount that the American government abandoned hundreds of Americans to the enemy when we left Southeast Asia.� While Ensign Graves may not be among those men left behind, one can imagine his proud willingness to fly one more mission to help bring the abandoned Americans home. Bring Them Home or Send Us Back! If you should happed to visit the Wall, please visit Panel 20E - Line 105, and place your hand upon Ensign Richard Campbell Graves' name and say a prayer for him for me.� Thank You, Joe Harris U.S. Navy Viet Nam Veteran Naval Support Activity, DaNang 1970-1971 HOME |