Republic F-105G "Thunderchief" Wild Weasel

On 29 September 1972, F-105G tail number 63-8302 was operating as a SAM suppressor for a strike near Hanoi. The aircraft was locked up by an SA-2 missile radar at Phuc Yen and shortly afterwards was struck by an SA-2. The aircraft caught fire and within minutes the crew was forced to eject about 23 miles west of Hanoi. Both crewmen had good chutes..., but SAR efforts were turned back due to weather and MiG fighters in the area. The two crewmen were Lt Col James W. O'Neil (Pilot) of Los Angeles, California, and Captain Michael J. Bosiljevac (EWO) of Omaha, Nebraska. Radio Hanoi announced that both crewmen were captured alive, but only Lt Col O'Neil returned with the other POWs; Hanoi denied knowledge of Captain Bosiljevac and he was continued as Missing in Action. Lt Col O’Neil was released during Operation Homecoming, but Captain Bosiljevac remained captive. He died in captivity. On September 24, 1987 Major Bosiljevac’s remains were returned to the U.S. Government by Hanoi, with positive identification announced on 3 February 1988. See more...