RUPINSKI, BERNARD FRANCIS

Name: Bernard Francis Rupinski
Branch/Rank: United States Navy/O2
Unit: VF 102
Date of Birth: 20 August 1943
Home City of Record: EDWARDSVILLE, PA
Date of Loss: 16 June 1968
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 184800 North  1051700 East
Status (in 1973): DIED IN CAPTIVITY
Category: 2
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F4J #155548
Missions:
Other Personnel in Incident: Walter Wilber, returnee, injured
Refno: 1209

Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following: raw
data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA
families, published sources, interviews and CACCF = Combined Action
Combat Casualty File. Updated 1999 with information from the family of
Bernard Rupinski. Updated 2003 with information on unit from Bob Pagan.

REMARKS: WILBER THINKS DIED IN CRASH -- Never listed KIA/BNR

Nghe An, 25 miles NW of Vinh

CACCF/CRASH/AIRCREW/6YRS UNITED STATES NAVY

Synopsis: On Jun 16 1968 the F-4J tail #155548 with Lt. Rupinski and pilot
Walter E. Wilber was shot down In North Vietnam.  It is possible this was
Rupinski's his first mission. It was Wilber's 20th.  Rupinski was part of
the Diamond Backs stationed on the USS America.

The pilot was able to eject. He survived captivity, only to return to the
U.S. to face mutiny charges filed by then Commander James Stockdale.

There is very little information available on this incident. Should you be
able to provide any details, please e-mail the POW NETWORK at
infor@pownetwork.org

No further information available at this time.