Bio, Scheurich, Thomas E.

RIP: 05/27/2025

Name: Thomas Edwin Scheurich
Rank/Branch: O4/US Navy
Unit: Attack Squadron 35, USS ENTERPRISE (CVA 65)
Date of Birth: 19 August 1933
Home City of Record: Norfolk NE
Date of Loss: 01 March 1968
Country of Loss: North Vietnam/Over Water
Loss Coordinates: 203800N 1073000E (YH605833)
Status (in 1973): Missing In Action
Category: 4
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: A6A
Refno: 1068

Other Personnel In Incident: Richard Lannom (missing)

Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 01 April 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 2025.

REMARKS:

SYNOPSIS: The Grumman A6 Intruder flew most of its missions from the decks
of Navy attack carriers of the Seventh Fleet. Their primary missions were
close-air-support, all-weather and night attacks on enemy troop
concentrations and night interdiction.

Seventh Fleet Vice Commander, Admiral William F. Bringle, said, "The
low-level night missions flown by the A-6 over Hanoi and Haiphong were among
the most demanding missions we have ever asked our aircrews to fly.
Fortunately, there is an abundance of talent, courage and aggressive
leadership in these A-6 squadrons."

LTCDR Thomas Scheurich was the pilot of an A6A on just such a mission over
Haiphong on March 1, 1968. He launched on that day from the USS ENTERPRISE
with his bombardier/navigator (BN), LTJG Richard C. Lannom, along with two
other A6 aircraft.

The flight proceeded to their target area located approximately 45 miles
northeast of Haiphong. The area was defended by medium anti-aircraft
artillery, automatic weapons and small arms. The aircraft reported at the
execute point, 5 minutes prior to coast-in point, at which time they turned
off their IFF transponder. Therefore, radar contact was lost on the
aircraft.

Following their attacks, the other two aircraft in the flight proceeded to a
pre-briefed rendezvous point which was to be used in the event of radio
falure for battle damage assessment. Both aircraft searched the rendezvous
area and attempted radio contact with Scheurich and Lannom with negative
results. Search and rescue (SAR) forces were alerted. No emergency beepers
were heard during the overland flight or during the subsequent electronic
search.

Scheurich's and Lannom's aircraft was evidently hit by ground fire and went
down about 55 miles southeast of Haiphong in the Gulf of Tonkin. It was
considered that there was little chance that the enemy knew the fate of
either man, and prospects were rather dim for their survival, but both were
classified Missing In Action. There was no proof they died. There still was
the possibility that they bailed out and were picked up in the water by the
Vietnamese.

When American involvement ended in Indochina, and 591 American prisoners
were released, Lannom and Schuerich were not among them. Their families and
those of nearly 2500 others still do not know with certainty whether they
are alive or dead.

Reports continue to be received that Americans are still being held prisoner
in Southeast Asia. Whether Lannom and Scheurich could be among them is
unknown. It is clear, however, that it is long past time to bring these men
home.

During the period they were maintained missing, Richard C. Lannom was
promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and Thomas E. Scheurich was promoted to
the rank of Captain.

Conflict
Service
Status

VIETNAM WAR
UNITED STATES NAVY
Un Accounted For

On March 1, 1968, an A-6A Intruder (bureau number 15-2944) with a crew of two took off from the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) on a strike mission against enemy targets northeast of Haiphong, North Vietnam. The pilot radioed a location report five minutes from his intended target; shortly thereafter, radio contact with this aircraft was lost in the vicinity of (GC) 48Q YH 605 833. After the loss of radio contact, the Intruder went missing for unknown reasons and was presumed lost over the Gulf of Tonkin, south-southeast of Cam Pha. The other aircraft flying the mission jettisoned their ordnance and commenced a search of the coast and target areas but were unable to locate the missing Intruder or its crew.

Lieutenant Commander Thomas Edwin Scheurich entered the U.S. Navy from Nebraska and was a member of Attack Squadron 35, embarked aboard the Enterprise. He was the pilot of this Intruder when it was lost, and his remains were not recovered. After the incident, the U.S. Navy promoted LCDR Scheurich to the rank of Captain (CAPT). Today, Captain Scheurich 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.

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CAPT THOMAS EDWIN SCHEURICH

Unit VA 35
Historical Country of Loss
North Vietnam
Current Country of Loss
GULF OF TONKIN
Home of Record NE