On July 25, 1970, an F-4J Phantom II (bureau number 155789, call sign "Silver Kite 207") took off from the aircraft carrier USS America (CVA 66) with two crew members as part of a two-plane air-intercept mission over the Gulf of Tonkin. During the mission, the aircraft entered a sudden dive. The naval flight officer (NFO) aboard the Phantom made several calls to the pilot to pull up or eject, but received no response. The NFO successfully ejected from the Phantom before it hit the water in the vicinity of (GC) 48Q XF 738 830, and he was promptly rescued. The Phantom’s pilot was still aboard the aircraft when it crashed, and searches of the wreckage failed to locate his remains.

Lieutenant Paul Anthony Gregory, who joined the U.S. Navy from Virginia, was a member of Fighter Squadron 92, embarked aboard the America. He was the pilot of "Silver Kite 207" when it went down, and was lost with the aircraft. He remains unaccounted for. Today, Lieutenant Gregory 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.