| Charles Leslie Parker, Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Location on the Wall: | Panel 01W - Line 111 |
| Age at Loss: | 33 |
| Race: | Causasian |
| Sex: | Male |
| Date of Birth: | 11 Mar, 1939 |
| Home of Record: | San Diego, CA |
| Religion: | Protestant |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Branch: | Navy |
| Length of Service: | |
| Grade: | 04 |
| Rank: | Lieutenant Commander |
| ID Number: | |
| Unit: | Tact Electronics Squad 130 |
| MOS: | Fixed Wing Pilot |
| Date of Loss: | 21 Jan, 1973 |
| Country of Loss: | North Vietnam |
| Loss Coordinates: | 183906N 1070959E |
| Status (in 1973): | Body Not Recovered |
| Type of Loss: | Non-Hostile, died missing |
| Reason: | Air Loss, Crash at Sea |
| Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: | EKA3B |
| Incident Ref. #: | 1980 |
Other info:
LtCDR Charles L. Parker was a pilot assigned to Tactical Electronic Squadron 130, Detachment 4, onboard the carrier USS RANGER. He was the pilot of an EKA3B tanker.
At 11:46 p.m. on January 21, 1973, the EKA3B carrying Parker, the pilot; LTJG Keith A. Christophersen, the copilot/navigator; and Petty Officer Second Class Richard D. Wiehr, the electronic technician; was preparing to launch on a night catapult launch. After having made a normal catapult attachment and pre-launch inspection, the catapult stroke appeared to start off normally. After about 1/3 of the launch stroke, a loud explosion was heard and the aircraft was seen to pitch nose down and sparks started to come from the right engine. The aircraft began to decelerate and run off the end of the angle deck at a very low speed and fell over the side of the ship into the Gulf of Tonkin.
An immediate search and rescue effort was begun, but the aircraft sank very quickly and none of the crew could be recovered. The three Americans were classified Killed/Body Not Recovered.
these guys are special to me. as this was my duty station although not much chance for a recovery they are in my heart.
via con dios