On November 20, 1969, an O-2A Skymaster (tail number 67-21301), call sign "Lopez 01," took off carrying two crew members for a visual reconnaissance mission over Laos. During the mission, "Lopez 01" radioed to their forward air controller that they had been hit by enemy fire and one of the engines had stopped. The forward air controller was in the area and saw that "Lopez 01" had crashed as a result of its damage and was burning with no signs of life around the wreckage. The following day, attempts were made to insert rescue teams near the crash site via helicopter, but enemy machine gun fire prevented them from landing and they were forced to withdraw. Subsequent attempts were made to observe the area, but further ground rescue attempts proved impossible due to bad weather and enemy activity. An electronic search for beeper signals was maintained until November 28, but nothing was ever heard and the two men who were aboard "Lopez 01" were not seen following the incident. 

Second Lieutenant (2ndLt) John Robert Baldridge Jr., who entered the U.S. Air Force from Tennessee, served in the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron and was the pilot of an O-2A aircraft, call sign "Lopez 01" when it crashed. His remains have not been recovered. Subsequent to the incident, and while carried in the status of missing in action (MIA), the U.S. Air Force promoted 2ndLt Baldridge to the rank of Captain (Capt). Today, Capt Baldridge is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual's case to be in the analytical category of Active Pursuit.

If you are a family member of this serviceman, DPAA can provide you with additional information and analysis of your case. Please contact your casualty office representative.