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This
Page Is Dedicated To
John S. Earle
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| Thanks to Joni's Patriotic Graphics. |
- Name: John Stiles Earle
- Rank/Branch: O3/US Navy
Reserves
- Unit: Attack Squadron 172, USS
SHANGRI-LA (CVS-38)
- Date of Birth: 03 July 1941
(Northampton MA)
- Home City of Record: Westfield
MA
- Date of Loss: 22 June 1970
- Country of Loss: South
Vietnam/Over Water
- Loss Coordinates: (none)
- Status (in 1973): Killed/Body
Not Recovered
- Category: 5
- Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: A4C
- Other Personnel in Incident:
(none missing)
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| 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. |
| SYNOPSIS: When
Douglas Aircraft created the A4 Skyhawk the intent was to provide the Navy and Marine
Corps with an inexpensive, lightweight attack and ground support aircraft. The design
emphasized low-speed control and stability during take-off and landing as well as strength
enough for catapult launch and carrier landings. The plane was so compact that it did not
need folding wings for aboardship storage and handling. In spite of its diminutive size,
the A4 packed a devastating punch and performed well where speed and maneuverability were
essential. |
Flying from an
aircraft carrier is a special science. The limited takeoff and landing area leaves little
room for error. Occasionally, tragic accidents occur, claiming lives.
Lt. John S. Earle was a pilot assigned to Attack Squadron 172 onboard the aircraft carrier
USS SHANGRI-LA. He launched in his A4C Skyhawk attack aircraft as part of a two plane
strike mission into South Vietnam. His 9:30 p.m. catapult launch was normal as he began
his initial climb. When told to climb by the "Air Boss", Lt. Earle responded,
"Roger, Boss, I'm trying. It just won't climb." His aircraft was seen in a slow
descent and seconds later impacted the water 2-3 miles ahead of the ship. The area was
thoroughly searched by destroyers and helicopters throughout the night and following day.
The search was unsuccessful. The exact reason for the accident will perhaps never be
known, but whatever happened was obviously beyond his control.
Lt. Earle was placed in a missing status on June 22, 1970, which was changed the next day
to Reported Dead/Body Not Recovered. He is listed among the dead as he obviously did not
survive the downing of his aircraft. He is listed with honor among the missing because his
remains could not be found.
Other cases of the missing are not so clear. Many were known captives, some were
photographed in captivity. Many were in radio contact and in good health as they described
their imminent capture. Evidence mounts that many of these men are still alive waiting for
the country they served to bring them home. While Lt. Earle may not be one of them, one
can imagine him proudly taking one more flight order from the Air Boss to bring them home.
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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
POWNET regularly for updates." |
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