From: Mr. Bill Forsyth
EMail: work, home
Mission: Whale 47
Date: 22 December 1967
Aircraft: USMC F-4B
I would like to request your assistance in locating the crash site of WHALE 47, a USMC F-4B that was shot down near route 922 in Laos on 22 December 1967. The aircraft was hit by ground fire at 1523H and COVEY 36, the FAC, observed two good chutes just before the aircraft impacted. The backseater, 1Lt Guy Lashlee, WHALE 47-2, was rescued by a Marine EAGEL CLAW UH-1 out of Khe Sanh at 1610H. Lt Lashlee reported his chute opened only about ten seconds before he hit the ground and he landed about 50 yards from the burning crash site. There was no beeper or visual contact with the pilot, Capt Gary H. Fors, WHALE 47-1, and Lt Lashlee thought he might have landed in the fireball of the crash and died. The SAR effort for WHALE 47 was suspended at 1715H when it was determined there had been no contact with the pilot. Call signs of the aircraft that were in the area included COVEY 36, the FAC, SANDY 05, who later became the on scene commander, three other SANDY’s, four HOBO’s, EAGLE CLAW, who picked up the survivor, and high performance flights including WHALE 01, CARAVEL, GUNFIGHTER, CYCLONE, WHISKEY, and WILDCAT. Our record location for the incident is 400 meters east of route 922 in relatively rolling terrain; our teams have investigated this area and the local villagers report there are no crash sites in the area; we conducted a ground search of the record location, also with negative results. Recently received copies of the 3rd ARRS SAR logs provided a location which five miles east of route 922 in a very rugged area. We will be investigating in this area in an upcoming joint field activity, but the coordinate is to the nearest minute (mile) only. I would like to hear from any pilots who participated in the SAR for WHALE 47-1 who might be able to give me a word picture of the area or any other information which might assist in our investigation. Mr. Bill Forsyth, Laos/Cambodia POW/MIA analyst, JTF-FA, E-mail address is forsytwl@hq.pacom.mil.