On May 19, 1967, a Grumman A-6A Intruder of VA-35 launched from the USS Enterprise as a part of a strike against a truck repair facility near Van Dien, North Vietnam. LCDR Eugene “Red” McDaniel was the pilot, and LT James K. “Kelly” Patterson was the Bombadier/Navigator.
An SA-2 Surface to Air Missile damaged the Intruder, and the crew both successfully ejected, still deep in North Vietnam.

Radio communications were soon established with both crewmembers, while rescue attempts were being organized.
The crew’s location deep inside North Vietnam made any rescue attempt extremely risky. Further, Patterson had badly broken his leg upon landing.
LDCR McDaniel would be captured by the North Vietnamese, and held a prisoner until March of 1973, enduring the most vile deprivations and torture.
In spite being in radio contact with friendly aircraft in the area for four days, Patterson was never recovered. He was never listed as a prisoner. Nor have his remains ever been recovered.
There is speculation that he was captured and remanded to the Soviet Union. Others speculate that he was killed by North Vietnamese forces as they attempted to capture him. Or he may simply have succumbed to his injuries.
Shortly before he was shot down, Kelly had the opportunity to visit his brother, George “Luck” Patterson, who was serving as a Marine Rifle Platoon leader. Kelly actually went out on a patrol with the Marines, on his R&R.
George has never stopped working to learn the fate of his brother. When my father passed away, George reached out to send his condolences. But he also asked if, perhaps, Dad had passed on any information on Kelly. Sadly, no. But you can’t blame the man for asking.
It’s Memorial Day, today.
We remember those who gave the last, full measure of devotion.
As you barbecue and play today, live your lives with love, and joy, and live well, as those fallen cannot.
Make their sacrifice worthwhile, by being worthy of them.
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