On February 20, 1969, an F-4J Phantom II (bureau number 155763, call sign "Sundown 113") with two crew members performed a catapult launch from the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA 61) in the Gulf of Tonkin. A malfunction during the launch caused the aircraft to slide off the deck and fall into the water in the vicinity of (GC) 48Q YE 806 864. The radar intercept officer aboard “Sundown 113” ejected and parachuted from the aircraft before it hit the water; however, the pilot was still in the aircraft when it crashed. Search teams located and rescued the radar intercept officer, but the pilot could not be found.

Lieutenant Junior Grade David Phillip Neislar, who joined the U.S. Navy from Oklahoma, was a member of Fighter Squadron 21. He was the pilot of “Sundown 113” when it went down, and was lost with the aircraft. His remains were not recovered, and he is still unaccounted for. After the incident, the Navy promoted LTJG Neislar to the rank of Lieutenant (LT). Today, Lieutenant Neislar 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.