Lieutenant Junior Grade Michael Steele Confer entered the U.S. Navy from Nebraska and served with Attack Squadron 23 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVA 43). On October 10, 1966, he piloted an A-4E Skyhawk (bureau number 151150, call sign "Lawcase 340") that launched from the Coral Sea on a nighttime armed reconnaissance mission against targets in North Vietnam. After the target near the Kien Hanh storage area was illuminated with flares, LTJG Confer radioed to his flight leader that he was rolling in for a rocket run. He launched his rockets at the target, but was then observed crashing into the water offshore near the storage area in the vicinity of (GC) 48Q XH 532 359. An extensive search was conducted, but LTJG Confer could not be recovered. Further attempts to locate or identify his remains have been unsuccessful. Today, Lieutenant Junior Grade Confer 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.