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Thanks to
Joni's Patriotic Graphics |
This
Page Is Dedicated To
Arthur V. McLaughlin, Jr.
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| Thanks to Joni's Patriotic Graphics. |
- Name: Arthur Vincent
McLaughlin, Jr.
- Rank/Branch: Chief Master
Sergeant USAF
- Unit: 99th Bomb Wing, TDY to
8th Air Force (Guam)
- Date of Birth: 11 March 1934
- Home City of Record: Roxbury MA
- Date of Loss: 20 December 1972
- Country of Loss: North Vietnam
- Loss Coordinates: 210500N
1055900E
- Status (in 1973): Missing in
Action
- Category: 2
- Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: B52
- Other Personnel in Incident:
William U. Acuri; Terry M. Geloneck; Paul L. Granger; Thomas J. Klomann (all returned POWs
from B52, coordinates 210500N 1055900E);
Roy Madden Jr.; Michael R. Martini (returned POWs from B52, coordinates 211000N 1054500E);
Craig A. Paul; Warren R. Spencer (remains returned from B52, coordinates 210459N
1053958E);
Randolph A. Perrry; Irwin S. Lerner; John F. Stuart (all missing from B52, coordinates
210500N 1055900E)
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| SYNOPSIS: Arthur
V. McLaughlin was aboard a B52 shot down by a Surface to Air (SAM) missile over Hanoi on
December 20, 1972. He was attached to the 99th Bomb Wing, temporarily assigned to 8th Air
Force stationed at Guam. His B52 was one of many involved in the successful
"Christmas Bombings" of Hanoi that finally convinced the Vietnamese to sit at
the peace table. |
There were a
total of 12 men missing in close proximity to each other from B52 aircraft on December 20.
It is unclear which men were together on any given plane, although it seems clear that the
four missing were on the same plane as Madden and Martini, as Defense Department notes
that two men were released from Lerner and Perry's plane. The total number listed exceeds
a normal B52 crew capacity, which is six. McClaughlin's craft was third in a flight of
three B52s over Hanoi that day. The fate of all three planes is uncertain.
One thing that amazed analysts about the B52 bombers that were shot down over Hanoi during
this period was the high survival rate of the crewmembers. Many more were returned as POWs
than was expected. The B52s that were shot down were downed in extremely hostile territory
with little or no chance of rescue.
Unfortunately, it does not appear that all the prisoners were returned in 1973 at the end
of the war. Since 1975, thousands of reports have been received by the U.S. Government
relating to Americans still alive in captivity. Experts in the U.S. Government have stated
they believe they are being held. The question then, is no longer whether or not they are
alive, but who are they, and how can we bring them home? And is one of them Arthur
McLaughlin?
2002 UPDATE:
The number three aircraft in the flight, a B52D, contained the following
crew members:
Major John F. Stewart, pilot;
Major Randolph A. Perry, R/Nav;
Capt. Thomas J. Klomann, Nav;
Capt. Irwin S. Lerner, EWO;
1Lt. Paul L. Granger, Co-Pilot; and
Chief Master Sgt. Arthur V. McLaughlin, Jr., Gunner.
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| "All
Biographical and loss information on POWs provided by Operation Just Cause have been
supplied by Chuck and Mary Schantag of POWNET. Please check with
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regularly for updates." |
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