THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

Never Forget

Semper Fortis

Commander Max Duane Lukenbach was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism and extraordinary achievement while engaged in aerial flight. He served as an Unrestricted Line Officer (Pilot) and was assigned to RVAH-13, CVW-11, USS KITTY HAWK, TF 77, 7TH FLEET.
See https://navy.togetherweserved.com/

Dear CDR Max Lukenbach, Thank you for your service as an Unrestricted Line Officer Pilot, on the USS KITTY HAWK. You are still MIA, PLEASE COME HOME. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Sunday was Mother’s Day, but like none other. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Be at peace with the angels.

On December 22, 1965, the USS Enterprise teamed with the carriers USS Kitty Hawk and USS Ticonderoga in one of the war's biggest strikes to date, with one hundred aircraft hitting the thermal power plant at Uong Bi located fifteen miles north-northeast of the city of Haiphong. This was the first industrial target authorized by the Johnson administration. The Enterprise's aircraft approached from the north and the Kitty Hawk/Ticonderoga’s force from the south, leaving the plant in shambles. The day's casualties were two A-4Cs from the Enterprise, an RA-5C Vigilante, and an A6-A Intruder--six Americans shot down. One of the A-4s was flown by LTJG Wendell R. Alcorn, a pilot from Attack Squadron 94 onboard the Enterprise. Alcorn's aircraft was shot down about 15 miles north-northeast of Haiphong and he was captured by the North Vietnamese. For the next 7 years, Alcorn was a "guest" in the Hanoi prison system. He was ultimately released in Operation Homecoming on Valentine's Day, 1973. The second A-4C shot down on December 22, 1965 was flown from the Enterprise by LT John D. Prudhomme. Prudhomme's aircraft was hit by enemy fire and crashed near Alcorn's position. Prudhomme was not as lucky as Alcorn; he was deemed to have been killed in the crash of his aircraft. He was listed among the missing because his remains were not recovered. The RA-5C reconnaissance aircraft was shot down about 5 miles east of Hai Duong in Hai Hung Province, about 30 miles from Alcorn and Prudhomme. Its crew consisted of the pilot, LCDR Max D. Lukenbach, and his rear-seater, LTJG Glenn H. Daigle. LTJG Daigle was captured by the Vietnamese and held in Hanoi until his release on February 12, 1973. Lukenbach, according to intelligence received, died in the crash of the plane and was buried near the crash site. The fates of the crew of the fourth aircraft to be shot down is uncertain. Pilot CDR Billie J. Cartwright and his bombardier/navigator LT Edward F. Gold were declared missing in action after their A-6A Intruder went down about 30 miles northeast of Haiphong. William L. Shankel, Glenn H. Daigle and Wendell R. Alcorn were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander during the period they were Prisoners of War. Billie J. Cartwright was promoted to the rank of Captain and Edward F. Gold to the rank of Commander during the period they were maintained missing. [Taken from pownetwork.org]