THE WALL OF FACES

CAPTAIN


DONALD DEANE ALDERN


served with


ATTACK AIR WING 19


onboard the


USS ORISKANY


On 29 June 1970, he was launched in an A7A Corsair aircraft on a

bombing mission in southern Laos. His aircraft was the lead aircraft

in a flight of two on this night mission over Attopeu Province, Laos.


The Flight was to be monitored and directed by a Forward Air

Controller (FAC.


Commander Aldern reported commencing his bombing run while his

wingman circled the area awaiting his turn on target. The wingman

observed several bomb explosions and then a large explosion and

fire just beyond the bomb impact area. The wingman attempted to

make radio contact with Commander Aldern, but received no response.

No parachute or electronic signals were observed or heard by either

the wingman or the FAC.


Darkness and monsoon conditions precluded verification of a parachute

deployment, and also precluded immediate search and rescue efforts.

At Daybreak, however, airborne search efforts were conducted and

additional arrangements were initiated through the Joint Personnel

Recovery Center (JPRC), Saigon, to provide a ground search party

when feasible. Airborne search efforts produced negative results.


On 30 June 1970, the JPRC reported that a ground search party was

in the vicinity of the reported crash site and had to depart the area

prior to examination. Subsequent search efforts produced negative

results. A reconnaissance aircraft, operating in conjunction with a

ground party, received ground fire while attempting to pinpoint the

crash site.


Observation of the bomb detonations indicate that a bomb run was,

in general, normal up to the point of the bomb release point. If

the aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire on the bomb run, at the

release point or lower, there would be very little reaction time

available to initiate pilot ejection. In view of the above, and

reconstructing the observation of the other aircraft on station, the

Navy came to the conclusion that Commander Aldern was still in

the aircraft at the time it impacted the ground. However, the

Navy further concluded, there existed the possibility that

Commander Aldern ejected, and declared him as being

Missing In Action, rather than Killed In Action.


Eight years later, as no evidence had been received that

Commander Aldern was alive, he was presumptively found dead.


He was promoted to the rank of Captain during the period he was

maintained as being Missing In Action.





~~~ NON SIBI SED PATRIAE ~~~





YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.