Lieutenant Junior Grade Edward Brendan Shaw, who joined the U.S. Navy from Rhode Island, served with Attack Squadron 165 aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVA 43). On September 5, 1965, LTJG Shaw piloted a single-seat A-1 Skyraider (bureau number 139693) as the lead of two aircraft on a nighttime armed reconnaissance mission targeting barges on the Gia Hoi River in Ha Tinh Province, North Vietnam. Over the target area, LTJG Shaw's wingman dropped flares to illuminate the target and LTJG Shaw rolled in. As his wingman followed, he saw LTJG Shaw's aircraft suffer an explosion shortly after firing its rockets. The Skyraider then crashed into the water below and exploded. The other pilots in the flight saw no parachutes and heard no rescue beeper signals. Searches for LTJG Shaw following the incident were unsuccessful, and he remains unaccounted-for. Today, LTJG Shaw 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.