Today in Aviation History – First US Air-to-Air Victory of The Vietnam War

Moreno Aguiari
Here is a photo of an F-4 Phantom II aboard the USS Midway Museum. The Phantom wears the livery of Sundown 101 from VF-21 on the left side of the aircraft.

Here is a photo of an F-4 Phantom II aboard the USS Midway Museum.  The Phantom wears the livery of Sundown 101 from VF-21 on the left side of the aircraft.
Here is a photo of an F-4 Phantom II aboard the USS Midway Museum. The Phantom wears the livery of Sundown 101 from VF-21 on the left side of the aircraft.

By Aviation Enthusiasts LLC

Forty-nine years ago today, an Navy F-4B Phantom II from the “Freelancers” of Fighter Squadron 21 (VF-21) scored the first US air-to-air victory of the Vietnam War.  While operating from the USS Midway (CVA-41), “Sundown 101” crewed by Commander Louis Page and Lieutenant John Smith downed an MiG-17 with an AIM-7 Sparrow missile.  The “Freelancers” of VF-21 recorded two MiG kills while deployed aboard the USS Midway during the Vietnam War, with the second kill coming moments later.When VF-21 returned to sea, in March 1965, they were bound for combat. It was during this tour that VF-21 recorded its only aerial victories of the Vietnam War, these coincidentally being the first confirmed kills to be achieved by a US Navy fighter squadron during the course of that long conflict. On 17 June 1965 CDR Louis Page and Lt John Smith dispatched a MiG-17 with an AIM7 Sparrow missile. Moments later, fellow Freelancers Lt Jack Batson, Jr and LCDR Robert Doremus made it a double celebration by adding another MiG-17 to VF-21’s tally, again employing an AIM-7. VF-21 compiled a most impressive combat record by making six further visits to the war zone aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) and USS Ranger (CV-61) between 1966 and 1973 (source VF-21 Freelancers).

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Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
4 Comments
  • They did this after completing the Royal Navy’s advanced warfare training programme taught at Miramar by two Fleet Air Arm pilots including Dick Lord, whom I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing (he later became a brigadier general in the South African Air Force). Before this programme was introduced the USN pilots were wholly unsuccessful in scoring any kills. Now if this is not a provocative comment I don’t know what is – ‘m going to take a kicking for saying this !!!!! 🙂

  • i loved this aircraft , i flew it for a aviation airshow weekend and its just amazing to fly , the handling is great and experience to be in it is overwelming. but now i fly the FA/18 e super hornet for the RAAF and i wouldnd fly anything els. the hornet is australias best air to air fighter and it will keep serving the country until it gets replaced by the F35’s.

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