On August 28, 1962, a T-28B Trojan (tail number 53-8376) with two crew members on board - a U.S. pilot and a Vietnamese Air Force pilot trainee - took part in a combat training mission over South Vietnam. During the mission, the aircraft was hit by enemy ground fire and crashed into a mangrove swamp south of Soc Trang. The wingman witnessed the crash and reported that the aircraft came to rest in a river. An extensive search of the area was conducted, but was not successful in locating the wreckage or crew.

Captain Robert Lewis Simpson, who entered the U.S. Air Force from the Republic of Panama, served with the 6th Fighter Squadron and was the U.S. pilot aboard this aircraft at the time of its loss. He was not recovered after the crash, and he remains unaccounted for. Today, Captain Simpson 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.