THOMAS, KENNETH DEANE JR

REMAINS RECOVERED 08/14/85

Name: Kenneth Deane Thomas Jr.
Branch/Rank: United States Air Force/O2
Unit: 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron
Date of Birth: 25 September 1940
Home City of Record: MT VERNON IL
Date of Loss: 05 May 1966
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 0 0
Status (in 1973): MIA changed to Prisoner of War 11/73
Category: 2
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F105D
Missions:
Other Personnel in Incident:
Refno:

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. 2020

REMARKS:

REMAINS RECOVERED 08/14/85

Ha Bac 10 miles east of Kep Ha

CACCF/CRASH/PILOT

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                                                        [r0329.97]
                       PROJECT  X

                       SUMMARY SELECTION RATIONALE

NAME: THOMAS, Kenneth D., lLt, USAF

OFFICIAL STATUS: DEAD BODY NOT RECOVERED

CASE SUMMARY: SEE ATTACHED

RATIONALE FOR SELECTION: lLt Thomas radioed his intent to eject after being
hit. His parachute was observed during descent and touchdown. There have
been no subsequent reports that would indicate that lLt Thomas had died.

REFNO: 0329 21 Apr 76

(U) CASE SUMMARY

1. On 5 May 1966 lLt Kenneth D. Thomas Jr., was the pilot of an F105D
aircraft, (#61-147, call sign LOCUST FIVE), on an operational strike
mission as the number five aircraft in a flight of five over North Vietnam.
The aircraft was hit crossing the target area when a heavy concentration of
37mm and 57mm antiaircraft fire opened up on the entire flight. Lt. Thomas
transmitted that he was hit and had a fire warning light., but that the
engine and other instruments were operating and he would head toward the
coast. A minute later, he transmitted he would have to eject immediately.
Although his ejection was not observed, his opened parachute was
immediately observed and his beeper was heard by the flight leader. The
descent and subsequent landing of Lt. Thomas were observed (vicinity of
grid coordinates XJ 900 654), however, he was not sighted after ground
contact and no voice transmission was heard at anytime after ejection. The
aircraft impact was not observed. Due to location, a search and rescue
effort was not initiated. (Ref 1)

2. During the existence of JCRC, the hostile threat in the area precluded
any visits to or ground inspections of the sites involved in this case.
This individual's name and identifying data were turned over to the
Four-Party Joint Military Team with a request for any information
available. No response was forthcoming. Lt. Thomas is currently carried in
the presumptive status of Dead, Body Not Recovered.

REFERENCE USED

1. MSG (U), 388CSGP Korat AB Thai, 051445Z May 66.

                 * National Alliance of Families Home Page
                       
No further information available at this time.

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02/2020

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