COONS, HENRY ALBERT

Name: Henry Albert Coons
Branch/Rank: United States Navy/O4
Unit:   Attack Squadron 35
Date of Birth: 25 November 1933
Home City of Record: GERMANTOWN NY
Date of Loss: 28 February 1968
Country of Loss: North Vietnam/Over Water
Loss Coordinates: 194400 North  1061700 East
Status (in 1973): Presumptive Finding of Death
Category: 5
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: A6A #152938
Missions:
Other Personnel in Incident: Stegman, Thomas
Refno: 1064

Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following: raw
data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA
families, published sources, interviews and CACCF = Combined Action
Combat Casualty File. Updated 2020

REMARKS:

No further information available at this time.

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Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2003 15:28:22 -0400
From: Bob Golden
To: info@pownetwork.org
Subject: Vietnam MIA Henry Coons

One & All,
Thank you for your diligent work with the POW/MIA issues.

My question for you regards Henry A. Coons, LTC, USN, MIA 2-28-68.

Henry was from my home town (Germantown, NY) and our parents were good
friends.  I have spent time with his mother and am disappointed that I
cannot find any information about his disappearance.

She told me that he was flying a mission in advance to an attack-bombing
mission in NVN.  Henry's role was to do the electronic counter-measure work
ahead of the bombers.  She said that Henry had accomplished his mission and
was headed home when his aircraft was hit by a SAM.  That he made it to the
ocean where they ditched.

She further told me that SAR found Henry's plane, his co-pilot's body, and
even Henry's helmet.  But they never found Henry.  She also described the
area where they ditched as 'bounty hunter alley' in that there were always a
lot of oriental junk type vessels and a large bounty for captured pilots at
the time.

I wear his bracelet and remember Henry fondly.  Is there any way to find out
more about what happened to him?

Do you have any other information about him?

Thank you for any information or assistance.

Regards,
Bob Golden

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01/2020

https://dpaa.secure.force.com/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000KZQiEAO

CDR HENRY ALBERT COONS

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On February 28, 1968, an A-6A Intruder (bureau number 152938, call sign "Ray Gun 512") carrying two crew members launched from the USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) on a two-plane combat mission against enemy targets in North Vietnam. En route, the Intruder established radio communications and proceeded independently its target. As planned, "Ray Gun 512" checked in prior to beginning their approach to the target. They were not to check in again until they had completed their mission and were crossing the coast en route to the carrier. When the aircraft failed to check in or return to the ship, an extensive search effort was conducted that located a downed aircraft in the vicinity of (GC)  48Q XG 395 860. However, search efforts failed to locate either crew member or their remains.

Lieutenant Commander Henry Albert Coons entered the U.S. Navy from New York and was a member of Attack Squadron 35. He was the pilot of this Intruder when it crashed, and his remains were not recovered. After the incident, the U.S. Navy promoted LCDR Coons to the rank of Commander (CDR). Today, Commander Coons 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 Non-recoverable.

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.

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