SAIGON (UPI)--A U. S. Navy patrol plane crashed while patrolling for submarines in the South China Sea off central Vietnam Tuesday, killing five of the 13-man crew. The eight survivors were rescued by the U. S. destroyer Maddox. A U. S. Navy spokesman at NS Sangley Point, Philippines discounted the possibility that the twin-engined P2 Neptune aircraft had been shot down. A U. S. Navy spokesman in Saigon said the plane was on a routine anti-submarine patrol mission about 75 miles off the coast and 340 miles northeast of Saigon when it went down. In Washington, the Navy identified the five men lost. They were: Lt. Cdr. John Clarence Thomas, whose wife, Ruth, lives at the Marine Corps Air Station at Iwakuni, Japan. Aviation Structural Mechanic/1C Michael John Ulicsni, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Ulicsni of Parkville, Minn. Aviation Machinist Mate/1C, Deloss William Anderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. L. Anderson of Spokane, Wash. Aviation Ordnanceman/2C Donald Frank Marit, husband of Mrs. Ruby Catherine Marit of Litchfield, Ill. Aviation Electrician's Mate/2C Weslie David Mewborn, husband of Mrs. Pauline Mewborn of San Diego, Ca..." Stars and Stripes, Manilia Phillipines Friday September 11, 1964 WEBSITE: http://www.pstripes.com/ Contributed by Terry pb4y-2@sbcglobal.net W Weaver sactek@bellsouth.net

"...My Father was on the plane (SEE: In Memorial for lost friends of VP-42 on September 8th, 1964) and he has since passed. He was also a changed man after this. My sisters and I have always wondered about this time and would love to read the letter that one of the post from Vicky Riberdy spoke about..." Contributed by Pattie Rainville pnrainville@yahoo.com [15SEP2012]

"...I am the eldest niece of AD1 Deloss William ANDERSON who was lost while serving with VP-42 on September 8th, 1964 (SEE: In Memorial for lost VP-42 friends September 8th, 1964). It changed my family forever. My Grandfather (Uncle Jack's Dad) was never the same. Jack was their only son. It was horrible. No one ever talked about what happened and Grandpa always thought Uncle Jack might have been captured and was alive. Although my Grandparents have passed, I would love to hear from anyone who is familar with this incident. About the only thing I remember my dad saying is that the airplane wing caught the water as it was flying barely above the water, making a turn, which caused the crash. Uncle Jack and others went down with the aircraft and never recovered. Later, the incident was utilized as a part of training. I do not know if this is fact or fiction. Thank you to all who have served and those who are currently serving. Remember ~ All gave some, some gave all..." Contributed by Patti Atkins bnb98014@yahoo.com [18MAY2011]

"...I served with VP-42 from 1964 to 1966. I reported aboard at NAS Iwakuni, Japan just after the 1964 incident in the South China Sea (In Memorial for lost VP-42 friends September 8th, 1964). I remember many plane parts laying out in the hangar on my introductory run through. I think Dale Armour, who went down in the 1967 loss in the Alaska area was a survivor of the 1964 incident. I had only been out of the Navy a few months when I read about the 1967 incident and noticed Dale's name and felt that he had told me he was one of the survivors of the 1964 incident. Dale used to keep a large 4 engine airplane model he had constructed from scratch on the top of his locker that he had worked on for a few years. He had tremendous talent and also a very special spirit that set him apart from the average person. I've wondered since that time just what it was spiritually that he had found. Perhaps if one of his family reads this you would be so kind as to let me know. Thanks for all he and the others did for our freedom. It's a precious freedom. I had family in the Jamestown Colony and the Massachusetts Bay Colony so know some of them paid a dear price for our freedom also. Of course, we're all related to the fellow who build the Arc so we are all in this equally it appears to me. Keep smilin and have a wonderful day..." Contributed by LANGLEY, Wes jimers77@gmail.com [10JUL2010]

"...My husbands grandfather LCDR John C. Thomas died in a crash apx 60 miles off Siagon on September 8th 1964 (SEE: In Memorial for lost friends of VP-42 on September 8th, 1964). I have a letter from a man who was on the plane with him that day explaining in depth the events of that day for our Gram. Anyone who knows anything or any web sites where we can learn more about the man we love and admire yet have never meet would be appricated. Furthermore if anyone out there lost a loved one that day we would be happy to share the first hand account we have of the events of that day. God Bless all of those who serve and have served this great Country! Vicky Riberdy vriberdy@cox.net..." [31MAR2007]

"...According to Pacific Stars and Stripes, a P2V was lost in the South China Sea on 08 SEP 64. Other sources say it was with VP-42. Destroyer Maddox picked up survivors. 5 men lost. Family of Aviation Ordnanceman/2C Donald Frank Marit are at Branson MO at this time; and say his body was not recovered. The names of the 5 lost were added to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in 1986. AC BUNO unknown. Do you have any further info I can pass on to the family? Kindest regards, Robert Jacobs robert_w_jacobs@earthlink.net..." [09NOV2003]

"VP-42 Mishap Summary Page"

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