On September 12, 1967, an RF-4B Phantom II (bureau number 15-3104, call sign "Cottonpicker 52") carrying two members, left Da Nang Air Base on a nighttime photographic reconnaissance mission over South Vietnam. During the mission, another aircraft from the same squadron but flying another mission observed and reported a flash and a streak of flame west of the mouth of the Hoi An River. Radio calls made to "Cottonpicker 52" were not answered and the Phantom failed to return from its mission. Search and rescue efforts launched at daylight located a burned area west of Da Nang; however, numerous attempts to locate the two crew members and the missing aircraft were unsuccessful.

Major Richard William Hawthorne, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps from New York, served with Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadron 1, Marine Air Group 11, 1st Marine Air Wing. He was the pilot of the Phantom when it crashed, and his remains were not recovered. Following the incident, the Marine Corps promoted Maj Hawthorne to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol). Today, Lieutenant Colonel Hawthorne 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.