Reds Ambush, Down 2 U.S. Jets

Apr. 4, 1965 - North Vietnamese MIG fighter planes shot down two United States Air Force jets that were taking part in a bombing attack on a bridge today. 

The MIG’s appeared during one of four attacks by planes of the U.S. Air Force and Navy and the South Vietnamese Air Force on bridges and roads in North Vietnam.

The assault by the MIG’s marked the first clash between Communist and American planes in Vietnam.

The drowned body of one American pilot was later found at sea. Search operations were continuing for the second American flier.

One Vietnamese A-1H Skyraider, piloted by an American, was downed by fire from a Communist vessel. The pilot has been given up for dead. Other aircraft were also known to have been destroyed by ground fire, but details were withheld while the search continued.

The supersonic jet interceptor aircraft that accompanied the American bombers did not appear in time to head off the four MIG-15 and MIG-17 jets that downed the two American F-105 fighter-bombers. The F-105 is about twice as fast as the old MIG’s.

Maj. Gen. Joseph Moore, commander of the Second Air Division, said the U.S. planes had returned the fire of the MIG’s, which he said bore North Vietnamese markings. But he added, “We didn’t knock any down.”

The general said the attacks by the MIG’s were “not unexpected.” He added: “We have felt that at some point they would feel bold enough to try out their aim.”

An American mission spokesman said, however: “We have obviously entered a new phase.”

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