Lieutenant Colonel Sherman Edward Flanagan Jr. entered the U.S. Air Force from Maryland and was a member of the 121st Tactical Fighter Squadron, District of Columbia Air National Guard on wartime duty with the 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron. On July 21, 1968, he was the pilot of an F-100D Super Sabre (tail number 562905) that took off from Phu Cat Air Base, South Vietnam, on a strike mission against enemy targets in the Ashau Valley. While pulling up from a pass over the target, Lt Col Flanagan's aircraft crashed for unknown reasons, east of the target in the vicinity of (GC) YD 300 102. Both the flight leader and the forward air controller (FAC) observed the crash and reported hearing no radio transmissions and seeing no ejection. The enemy presence prevented search and rescue efforts, and an electronic search failed to detect radio transmissions or electronic beeper signals. He remains unaccounted-for. Today, Lieutenant Colonel Flanagan 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.