DAVIS, FRANCIS JOHN

Name: Francis John Davis
Branch/Rank: United States Navy/O4
Unit: Attack Squadron 37 (VA-37)
Date of Birth: 21 October 1938
Home City of Record: MONTROSE IA
Date of Loss: 14 June 1972
Country of Loss: North Vietnam/Over Water
Loss Coordinates: 184800 North  1054800 East
Status (in 1973): Presumptive Finding of Death
Category: 5
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: A7A #153206
Missions:
Other Personnel in Incident:
Refno: 1877

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:

No further information available at this time.

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02/11/18

LCDR Francis J. Davis was a U.S. Navy pilot assigned to Attack Squadron 37 (VA-37) aboard the
aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-60). On June 14, 1972, LCDR Davis was the pilot of an A-7A
Corsair II (#153206), call sign Red Falcon Three Zero Five, the lead in a flight of two on a combat
mission over the coastal waters near Vinh, North Vietnam. Davis descended, as briefed, to 5000 feet
for a flare run while his wingman remained high with anti-radiation missiles for protection against
surface-to-air (SAM) missiles. Davis reported a SAM ahead and to his right. No further transmissions
were received from him. His wingman observed a small, then large flash in the immediate vicinity of
Davis’ position. The area was searched visually by other aircraft and helicopters from the time of the
flashes throughout the daylight hours without success. No parachute was sighted nor was a beeper heard.
The helicopters investigated two oil slicks without success in the area where the aircraft disappeared.
Davis was listed as Missing in Action. This was changed in 1974 to Dead, Body Not Recovered.
[Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

 
Submitted by William M. Killian

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01/2020

https://dpaa.secure.force.com/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000KZvNEAW

LCDR FRANCIS JOHN DAVIS

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Lieutenant Commander Francis John Davis entered the U.S. Navy from Iowa and was a member of Attack Squadron 37, embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CVA 60). On June 14, 1972, he was the pilot of an A-7A Corsair II (bureau number 153206, call sign "Red Falcon 305") as the lead in a flight of two on a combat mission over coastal waters near Vinh, North Vietnam. He descended to make a flare run, while his wingman remained high with anti-radiation missiles for protection against enemy surface-to-air missiles (SAM). Lieutenant Commander Davis reported a SAM ahead and to his right, and no further transmissions were received from him. His wingman observed a small and then a large flash from the area where his Corsair disappeared, in the vicinity of (GC) 48Q WF 843 787. Following the flashes, an aerial search was made but saw no parachutes and detected no rescue beepers. LCDR Davis remains unaccounted for. Today, Lieutenant Commander Davis 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.

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