Ayres, James Henry, Lt Col

Major James H. Ayres, pilot, and Capt. Charles W. Stratton, weapons systems officer were in the lead aircraft on a flight of two F-4 that departed Korat Airbase Thailand for an operational mission over Laos. Both aircraft were the reconnaissance version of the Phantom fighter bomber aircraft.

Over Savannakhet Province, Laos, Ayres' aircraft was seen to crash and explode in a ball of fire prior to its second pass over the target area. No parachutes were observed, and no emergency radio beeper signals were detected. The loss occurred about 8 miles southeast of the city of Ban Muong Sen.

Their remains were eventually found and identified in 2007.

Comments/Citation
Notes/Links: Notes/Links:

http://www.virtualwall.org/da/AyresJH01a.htm (has photo and additional information)
http://www.vvmf.org//index.cfm?SectionID=110&anClip=44414 (son's memorial)

http://taskforceomegainc.org/a057.html
http://thewall-usa.com/guest.asp?recid=1772

http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/a/a057.htm
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11196
http://www.dixiedavis.com/jamesayres.htm (a more detailed account, though outdated)


http://www.carmichael-whatley.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2303365&fh_id=14693