On August 20, 1966, an RF-4C Phantom II (tail number 64-1054, call sign "Torpedo") departed Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam, on a high-altitude photographic reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam. The mission was to cover grid coordinates 48Q XE 360 655 to 48Q XE 288 684 while dropping eight flash cartridges. When the Phantom was over grid coordinates 48Q XE 342 665, the aircraft commander heard a loud hollow thump from the right aft section of the aircraft, and almost immediately the aircraft went out of control and caught fire. The aircraft commander ejected and reached the ground safely. He was rescued six hours later. Searchers received rescue beeper signals, but were unable to locate the pilot, and enemy presence in the area prevented continued searches.

First Lieutenant Richard Mershon Milikin III, who joined the U.S. Air Force from Florida, served with the 16th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. He was the pilot of the Phantom when it crashed, and his remains were not recovered. After the incident, the Air Force promoted 1st Lt Milikin to the rank of Major (Maj). Today, Major Milikin 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.