On February 12, 1970, an F-4B Phantom II (bureau number 151454, call sign "Lovebug 225-2") with two crew members took off as the second in a flight of two aircraft on a combat mission over South Vietnam. While awaiting permission to move inland and drop its ordnance, “Lovebug 225-2" started to change positions relative to the flight leader when it was seen to roll away into overcast skies, in the vicinity of (GC) 48Q YD 850 560. Shortly afterward, "Lovebug 225-2" radioed the flight leader, "It is okay. We are alright," and then was not heard from again. The flight leader attempted to re-establish contact but was unsuccessful, and the cloud coverage prevented him from conducting an immediate visual search for the missing aircraft. Further search efforts were unable to locate the aircraft or its crew.

First Lieutenant Robert Samuel Bradshaw III entered the U.S. Marine Corps from Texas and was a member of the Marine Attack Squadron 122, Marine Air Group 13, 1st Marine Air Wing. He was the radar intercept officer aboard this Phantom when it went missing, and he was lost with the aircraft. He remains unaccounted for. Today, First Lieutenant Bradshaw 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.