A U.S. Navy Douglas A-1J <i>Skyraider</i> (BuNo 142031) from Attack Squadron 196 (VA-196) "Main Battery" aboard the aircraft carrier USS <i>Bon Homme Richard</i> (CVA-31) before a strike in Vietnam. VA-196 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing 19 (CVW-19) aboard the <i>Bon Homme Richard</i> for a deployment to the Western Pacific and Vietnam from 28 January to 21 November 1964.<br>The A-1J 142031 was later shot down while in service with VA-145, CVW-14 ("NK-504"), on USS <i>Ranger</i> (CVA-61). On 1 February 1966 Lt(jg) Dieter Dengler was flying A-1J 142031 on his very first combat mission. After struck by ground fire, Dengler crash-landed near Ban Phathoung, Khammouan Province, Laos, was captured and imprisoned by the Pathet Lao. He escaped eight days later, but was recaptured. He escaped again on 30 June 1966 and was later rescued by a USAF Sikorsky HH-3E <i>Jolly Green Giant</i> helicopter. He returned to the squadron on 21 July 1966. Dengler was awarded the Navy Cross for his escape.
USN
U.S. Navy photo <a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="http://navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv31-64/018.htm">[1]</a> from the <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv31-64/index_003.htm">USS <i>Bon Homme Richard</i> (CVA-31) 1964 cruise book</a> available at <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://navysite.de/cruisebooks/index.html">Navysite.de</a>