MEHL, JAMES PATRICK

RIP 08/30/17

Name: James Patrick Mehl
Rank/Branch: O5/US Navy
Unit: Attack Squadron 93, USS HANCOCK (CVA 19)
Date of Birth: 26 February 1929 (Brooklyn NY)
Home City of Record: Belle Harbor NY
Date of Loss: 30 May 1967
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 203700N 1060600E (XH146799)
Status (in 1973): Released POW
Category:
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: A4E

Other Personnel in Incident: (none missing)                                                        


Official pre-capture photos

   

Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 15 May 1990 from one or more of
the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence
with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W.
NETWORK 2023.

REMARKS: 730304 RELSD BY DRV

SYNOPSIS: The USS HANCOCK first saw action in Vietnam when aircraft from her
decks flew strikes against enemy vessels in Saigon Harbor in late 1944. The
Essex class carrier, extensively modernized, returned to Vietnam during the
early years of the Vietnam war. The attack carriers USS CORAL SEA, USS HANCOCK
and USS RANGER formed Task Force 77, the carrier striking force of the U.S.
Seventh Fleet in the Western Pacific. The HANCOCK was the smallest type of
flattop to operate in the Vietnam theater, but pilots from her fighter and
attack squadrons distinguished themselves throughout the duration of the war.
On June 12, 1966, Commander Hal Marr, the CO of VF-211 gained the first F8
Russian MiG kill.

Among the aircraft launched from the decks of the HANCOCK was the Douglas
Aircraft A4 Skyhawk. The Skyhawk was an inexpensive, lightweight attack and
ground support aircraft. The design emphasized low-speed control and stability
during take-off and landing as well as strength enough for catapult launch and
carrier landings. The plane was so compact that it did not need folding wings
for aboardship storage and handling. In spite of its diminutive size, the A4
packed a devastating punch and performed well where speed and maneuverability
were essential.

Commander James P. Mehl was an A4E pilot assigned to Attack Squadron 93
onboard the USS HANCOCK. On May 30, 1967 Commander Mehl was the section leader
of a two-aircraft strike group assigned targets in Thai Binh Province, North
Vietnam.

Upon entering the target area, Commander Mehl and his wingman began receiving
indication that a surface-to-air missile (SAM) site to the north was preparing
to launch a missile. Mehl eluded one missile and maneuvered his aircraft to
fire his shrike missiles at the site. When in a 10 degree nose-high attitude,
a second missile impacted the underside of his aircraft. Cdr. Mehl immediately
turned toward the water, but was forced to ejected near the city of Hung Yen.
His parachute was observed after he left the aircraft.

Cdr. Mehl landed in a field situated in a heavily populated area near the
juncture of Ha Tay, Hai Hung, Nam Ha and Thai Binh Provinces. People were
observed to converge the area immediately, precluding any rescue attempt. A
report from the Hanoi broadcast system mentioned Mehl by name and stated that
he had been captured.

In the spring of 1973, 591 Americans were released from prisoner of war camps
in Vietnam, and James P. Mehl was among them. He had been promoted to the rank
of Captain during his captivity. Military authorities were shocked that
hundreds more known or suspected to be prisoner were not released. Further,
the Vietnamese denied knowledge of these men.

Since the war ended, nearly 10,000 reports relating to Americans missing,
prisoner or unaccounted for in Southeast Asia have been received by the U.S.
Government. Many authorities who have examined this largely classified
information are convinced that hundreds of Americans are still held captive
today. These reports are the source of serious distress to many returned
American prisoners. They had a code that no one could honorably return unless
all of the prisoners returned. Not only that code of honor, but the honor of
our country is at stake as long as even one man remains unjustly held. It's
time we brought our men home.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


James Mehl retired from the United States Navy as a Captain. He and his wife
Mary reside in Virginia.

James Mehl, RIP
 
Captain James Patrick Mehl USN (Ret) passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2017.

Captain Mehl was born on February 26, 1929 in Brooklyn, N.Y. and attended St. Francis Preparatory High School. He was appointed from N.Y. and entered the Naval Academy in 1947. Graduating with the Class of 1951, his first assignment was to the USS Salem (CA 39). Captain Mehl attended Flight Training and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1953. He was assigned to Fighter Squadron 153, deploying in the Yorktown and Wasp in the Pacific Fleet. His next tour, 1956-1959, was as instructor at the Naval Academy. From 1959 until 1962, he served in Attack Squadron 66 on board the Intrepid. He next served as Light Attack Assistant on the Staff of Comoptevfor. He attended the USNPGS, graduating in 1965 with a BS in Aero Engineering. His next duty was with Attack Squadron 93 as Executive officer in Hancock. He was shot down on a SAM Suppression mission near Hanoi in May 1967 and was held prisoner until 1973. Upon return to duty, he attended ICAF at Ft. McNair. He received his Master's Degree from the George Washington University in 1974. His final assignment was Project Manager for the A-4/ TA-4 aircraft procurement at NAVAIR in Washington, D.C. He retired from active duty on January 1, 1979.

Captain Mehl worked as a Senior Systems Engineer at Syscon Corp. 1987 and at IRT Inc. until 1989, His last employment was with CONWAL Inc. as a Division Director.

Captain Mehl's honors and decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with "V" device, the Distinguished Flying Cross, 2 Bronze Stars, 2 Purples hearts, and 8 Air Medals and the NCM.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the wonderful staff members of Lighthouse Healthcare Inc. and Capital Caring Hospice for allowing Captain Mehl to spend his final days with his wife of 61 years Mary (Nee Doyle). Captain Mehl is also survived by a daughter Dr. Rosemary Mehl (Dr. Gary Balady) a son James P. Mehl, Jr. and grandchildren Andrew and Dr. Stephen Balady. Services will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.

RRVFPA

10/03/17

I just wanted to let you know that Jim Mehl's wife Mary passed away at
home on September 15, 2017 and they are now together in peace

They will have a service together at Arlington National Cemetery sometime
next year. I will let you know when we have a date...     RB


Mary Mehl Obiturary 

CC: in an email from Ev Alvarez....   06/06/18

"Following up on our conversation Sunday night Rosemary Mehl reports that her mother and father, Jim and Mary, will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Sept 24th at 3pm.  
 
No preliminary service; start out from the Admin Building."  Editor's note: Arrive 30 - 45 minutes prior. 

 

Capt James P. Mehl, USN - Tribute