On December 30, 1967, an F-4C Phantom II (serial number 63-7658) carrying two crew members took part in a night strike mission over enemy targets in Laos. As the Phantom made a rocket run over the target, it was observed by the other aircraft on the mission to crash just past the rocket impact area. It exploded on impact, skipped off the ground, and traveled roughly 1,000 meters before impacting the ground again. The other aircraft on the mission circled the burning wreckage while looking for signs of survivors, but no ejections were observed and no rescue beeper signals were received. Search efforts were unable to recover either crew member following the loss.

First Lieutenant Murray Lamar Wortham, who entered the U.S. Air Force from Texas, served with the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron. He was the pilot of this Phantom when it crashed on December 30, 1967, and he was lost in the incident, and he remains unaccounted-for. While carried in the status of missing in action (MIA), the U.S. Air Force promoted 1st Lt Wortham to the rank of Major (Maj). Today, Major Wortham 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.