Nguyen Van Bay
Encyclopedia
Nguyen Van Bay was a jet fighter ace
for the Vietnam People's Air Force
(North Vietnamese Air Force
) during the Vietnam War
. Piloting a MiG-17F while assigned to the 923rd Fighter Regiment, Bay claimed 7 aerial combat victories while engaged against aircraft of the USAF and USN: 2 F-8
s, 1 F-4B, 1 A-4C
and 1 F-105D
. Of the 7 claimed kills, 5 are acknowledged by the United States Air Force
. Of the 16 claimed but not confirmed VPAF (North Vietnamese) Aces during Vietnam War, only Bay, Luu Huy Chao, and Le Hai solely flew MiG-17s.
(aka the French Indochina War). When the war ended in 1954, Vietnam
was divided into two countries along the 17th parallel; North Vietnam
and South Vietnam
. Bay chose to stay in the North, at which time he lost all contact with his family.
In 1962, Bay volunteered for flight training and was among the first pilot trainees sent to train in the People's Republic of China
(Red China). As he told it, he "went from the bicycle to the airplane with no stop in between." He learned to drive a car only long after he began flight training.
Bay and the other trainees started with Yak-18s, then moved on to MiG-15s, finally graduating to the MiG-17s. Similar to U.S. pilots, the North Vietnamese usually flew 200 hours in training before going into combat. Bay's training took four years, successfully completing his training in January 1966.
Note: The following aerial engagements do not match with the number of aircraft he shot down, according to the United States Air Force
. The aircraft he shot down as claimed by the USAF are 2 F-8
s, 1 F-4B, 1 A-4
C and 1 F-105
D. In addition, the following engagements suggest that he shot down 8 aircraft even though he is credited with 7.
that detonated off his left wing. His MiG-17 then pitched down and started vibrating. Bay managed to land safely at Noi Bai airfield, just north of Hanoi
. He would later state, "I felt like a light boxer who confidently walked up to the ring and tried to knock out the super heavy boxers. It was not a single fight but dozens of dogfights. We were outnumbered four or five to one. Our thoughts were on survival, nothing more."
Fighter
/F8 Crusader) and its escorting F-8 Crusader
s. Despite two Migs being destroyed by the F-8s, Bay managed to down one F-8 piloted by Cole Black.
While Bay and the other MiG-17s were engaging the F-8s, the lead Mig-17, piloted by Phan Thanh Trung, shot down the RF-8A.
Ds Thunderchiefs heading for the fuel depots in Hanoi
. With the help of fellow pilot Phan Van Tuc, catching the lead F-105 by surprise, Bay shot it down. The downed F-105 pilot was a Korean War ace, James H. Kasler
.
s flying away from a smoking bridge. To his front, he observed two F-8 Crusader
s approaching the A-4s from the right of where he was heading. Bay and his wingman jettisoned their drop tanks in preparation for battle. The F-8s took position behind the A-4s to escort them from the bridge. Chon, watching the events on radar ordered Bay to fly forward, Bay was then given permission to engage, at which time he attacked the trailing F-8, adjusting his fire on the tracers. As his rounds struck near the canopy of the F-8, the plane began coming apart, Crusader pieces filled the air as Bay's MiG started to fly thru them. Avoiding the danger, he pulled away, at the same time observing the pilot ejecting from his aircraft. The engagement lasted approximately 45 seconds, and when he landed, plexiglas from the F-8 was found in his air (engine) intake. The American F-8 pilot was captured shortly after ejecting, and turned out to Wilfred K. Abbott, serving in the squadron VF-111, carrier USS Oriskany.
airfield, Bay was flying in the number three position in a flight of four, when they were directed to engage US aircraft. Bay was the first to observe a flight of F-4s, and asked his flight leader, Ho Van Quy, for permission to attack, but Quy doubted they could catch up to the faster F-4s. Then Bay spotted an opportunity, the Phantoms began to make a climbing turn. Bay and his flight commenced to cut off the F-4s, he rolled in behind an F-4 piloted by Major
John "Robbie" Robertson and his backseater Hubert Buchanan. As he closed the range he opened fire with his cannons. The F-4 pulled hard and then eased its turn. Bay adjusted and fired again, this time observing one of the F-4's wheels flying off of its wing. Buchanan ejected, while Robertson is believed to have died when their Phantom crashed.
and Captain Ralph J. Beardsley. Richter jettisoned his rocket pods and lined up behind Hoang. Richter unleashed his M61 Gatling gun
on Hoang. The airplane rolled on its own to wings level. Hoang lit the afterburner on his MiG and tried to regain control as his jet rolled to the right. Hoang's his left wing was in tatters from Richter's Gatling Gun
. Hoang checked his engine instruments and thought he was going to be fine, but then the plane began to come apart. Hoang had to eject. Bay, now alone, and with his fuel becoming desperately low, now found himself dodging missile
after missile
from avenging US jets, which, fortunately for him, now began to depart North Vietnam's air space. At this time, Bay spotted Vo Van and followed him back to base.
airfield. His flight was headed to intercept a United States Navy
air raid at the Haiphong
docks. Bay closed in on an unsuspecting F-8 Crusader
, piloted by Lt. Cdr. E.J. Tucker, and shot it down. Tucker ejected, but unfortunately he died in captivity. The escorting F-4s then counter attacked Bay's flight. The F-4s fired several Sidewinder
s at Bay, but with his wingman's warning, he was able to dodge them all. Bay was then able to maneuver himself into a good shooting position, in which he then downed one of the attacking F-4 Phantoms. The crew of the F-4, Lt. Cdr. C.E. Southwick and Ens. J.W. Land believed that they had been shot down by AAA.
s. One A-4 was shot down by Bay himself, and the other was shot down by his wingman. Bay was awarded the Hero's Medal of the Vietnamese People's Army for his outstanding skill and bravery in combat, and for his superb leadership of his flight.
USS Higbee (DD-806), whilst Nguyen Van Bay struck for the US Navy light cruiser
USS Oklahoma City
(CLG-5), which had been shelling targets in Vinh
City.
Bay's two bombs caused only slight damage to the cruiser USS Oklahoma City
, as they may have been "near misses", while Di was able to score a direct hit on the destroyer Higbee's aft 5" gun mount (gun turret
) with one of his two 500 lb bombs. This was the first successful air strike made by an enemy jet fighter bomber on a US Navy warship
while actively engaged in combat.
The USS Sterett
(DLG-31), providing escort for the damaged warship, reportedly destroyed an enemy MiG interceptor with its Terrier
missiles during the engagement. Following the initial attack, the USS Sterett deployed her Terrior missiles again and destroyed a Styx
surface to surface missile in mid flight. The enemy missiles were thought to have been launched from North Vietnamese Patrol Boats. Of interest to some historians, is that both of the above pilots were supposed to have survived the 19 April air raid; leaving the question of, were there three enemy jets or was the perceived MiG destruction, actually the Styx missile? Notwithstanding, one of the attacking aircraft, manned or unmanned, was disintegrated by a direct hit by a Terrier missile at very close range—which was witnessed by crewmen aboard ship. No parachute was observed, only minor fragments of metal reflecting sunlight as they tumbled into the sea.
and reportedly, was amongst his favorites. Bay was grounded sporadically, and then permanently. As is often the practice in many countries, including the United States, high ranking "Ace
s" are often grounded during a continuing war, to negate their future loss in combat and to utilize their attained status to aspire future generations of youth within their nation.
Fighter Ace
Fighter Ace was a massively multiplayer online computer game in which one flies World War II fighter and bomber planes in combat against other players and virtual pilots...
for the Vietnam People's Air Force
Vietnam People's Air Force
The Vietnam People's Air Force is the air force of Vietnam. It is the successor of the former North Vietnamese Air Force and the absorbed Republic of Vietnam Air Force following the re-unification of Vietnam in 1975.-Beginning-1964 :The first Vietnamese aircraft were two trainers, a de Havilland...
(North Vietnamese Air Force
Air force
An air force, also known in some countries as an air army, is in the broadest sense, the national military organization that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an army, navy or...
) during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. Piloting a MiG-17F while assigned to the 923rd Fighter Regiment, Bay claimed 7 aerial combat victories while engaged against aircraft of the USAF and USN: 2 F-8
F-8 Crusader
The Vought F-8 Crusader was a single-engine, supersonic, carrier-based air superiority jet aircraft built by Vought for the United States Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps, replacing the Vought F7U Cutlass...
s, 1 F-4B, 1 A-4C
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
and 1 F-105D
F-105 Thunderchief
The Republic F-105 Thunderchief, was a supersonic fighter-bomber used by the United States Air Force. The Mach 2 capable F-105 conducted the majority of strike bombing missions during the early years of the Vietnam War; it has the dubious distinction of being the only US aircraft to have been...
. Of the 7 claimed kills, 5 are acknowledged by the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. Of the 16 claimed but not confirmed VPAF (North Vietnamese) Aces during Vietnam War, only Bay, Luu Huy Chao, and Le Hai solely flew MiG-17s.
Background
Nguyen Van Bay was born in 1937 near Saigon (from 1955–1975, Saigon was the capital of the Republic of Vietnam). He was the seventh of 11 children. At the age of 16, Bay went North to join the army to fight against the French during the First Indochina WarFirst Indochina War
The First Indochina War was fought in French Indochina from December 19, 1946, until August 1, 1954, between the French Union's French Far East...
(aka the French Indochina War). When the war ended in 1954, Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
was divided into two countries along the 17th parallel; North Vietnam
North Vietnam
The Democratic Republic of Vietnam , was a communist state that ruled the northern half of Vietnam from 1954 until 1976 following the Geneva Conference and laid claim to all of Vietnam from 1945 to 1954 during the First Indochina War, during which they controlled pockets of territory throughout...
and South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
. Bay chose to stay in the North, at which time he lost all contact with his family.
In 1962, Bay volunteered for flight training and was among the first pilot trainees sent to train in the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
(Red China). As he told it, he "went from the bicycle to the airplane with no stop in between." He learned to drive a car only long after he began flight training.
Bay and the other trainees started with Yak-18s, then moved on to MiG-15s, finally graduating to the MiG-17s. Similar to U.S. pilots, the North Vietnamese usually flew 200 hours in training before going into combat. Bay's training took four years, successfully completing his training in January 1966.
Vietnam People's Air force
Bay was part of 923rd Fighter Regiment during the Vietnam War. When the regiment was created on September 7, 1965, Bay was chosen as one of the students to fly the MiG-17. Soon after his training was completed in January 1966, he would have his first engagement with American aircraft.Note: The following aerial engagements do not match with the number of aircraft he shot down, according to the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. The aircraft he shot down as claimed by the USAF are 2 F-8
F-8 Crusader
The Vought F-8 Crusader was a single-engine, supersonic, carrier-based air superiority jet aircraft built by Vought for the United States Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps, replacing the Vought F7U Cutlass...
s, 1 F-4B, 1 A-4
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
C and 1 F-105
F-105 Thunderchief
The Republic F-105 Thunderchief, was a supersonic fighter-bomber used by the United States Air Force. The Mach 2 capable F-105 conducted the majority of strike bombing missions during the early years of the Vietnam War; it has the dubious distinction of being the only US aircraft to have been...
D. In addition, the following engagements suggest that he shot down 8 aircraft even though he is credited with 7.
October 6, 1965
Bay had his first engagement when he was attacked by an F-4 Phantom. The F-4 fired an AIM-7D missilethat detonated off his left wing. His MiG-17 then pitched down and started vibrating. Bay managed to land safely at Noi Bai airfield, just north of Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
. He would later state, "I felt like a light boxer who confidently walked up to the ring and tried to knock out the super heavy boxers. It was not a single fight but dozens of dogfights. We were outnumbered four or five to one. Our thoughts were on survival, nothing more."
April 1966
In late April 1966, North Vietnamese radar indicated U.S. aircraft approaching Bac Son and Dinh Ca districts. An officer then scrambled four Mig-17s to intercept them, Bay was among one of the Mig-17s sent. Shortly after takeoff, Bay spotted eight F-4 Phantoms. As the formation of F-4s turned, one of them swung wide. Taking advantage of this, Bay cut the F-4 off, and closed in to gun range; when the Phantom was in his windscreen, he fired. The F-4 then went down.June 21, 1966
Bay and three other MiG-17s were sent to engage an RF-8A (ReconnaissanceReconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
Fighter
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
/F8 Crusader) and its escorting F-8 Crusader
F-8 Crusader
The Vought F-8 Crusader was a single-engine, supersonic, carrier-based air superiority jet aircraft built by Vought for the United States Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps, replacing the Vought F7U Cutlass...
s. Despite two Migs being destroyed by the F-8s, Bay managed to down one F-8 piloted by Cole Black.
While Bay and the other MiG-17s were engaging the F-8s, the lead Mig-17, piloted by Phan Thanh Trung, shot down the RF-8A.
June 29, 1966
Bay and three other MiG-17s were sent to engage F-105F-105 Thunderchief
The Republic F-105 Thunderchief, was a supersonic fighter-bomber used by the United States Air Force. The Mach 2 capable F-105 conducted the majority of strike bombing missions during the early years of the Vietnam War; it has the dubious distinction of being the only US aircraft to have been...
Ds Thunderchiefs heading for the fuel depots in Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
. With the help of fellow pilot Phan Van Tuc, catching the lead F-105 by surprise, Bay shot it down. The downed F-105 pilot was a Korean War ace, James H. Kasler
James H. Kasler
Colonel James H. Kasler is to date the only person to be awarded the Air Force Cross three times. The Air Force Cross ranks just below the Medal of Honor as an award for extraordinary heroism in combat....
.
September 5, 1966
Le Thanh Chon, the senior control officer at Gia Lam airfield, vectored Bay and his wingman Vo Van Man to an unknown target in the South. As they headed south, Bay observed a flight of A-4 SkyhawkA-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
s flying away from a smoking bridge. To his front, he observed two F-8 Crusader
F-8 Crusader
The Vought F-8 Crusader was a single-engine, supersonic, carrier-based air superiority jet aircraft built by Vought for the United States Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps, replacing the Vought F7U Cutlass...
s approaching the A-4s from the right of where he was heading. Bay and his wingman jettisoned their drop tanks in preparation for battle. The F-8s took position behind the A-4s to escort them from the bridge. Chon, watching the events on radar ordered Bay to fly forward, Bay was then given permission to engage, at which time he attacked the trailing F-8, adjusting his fire on the tracers. As his rounds struck near the canopy of the F-8, the plane began coming apart, Crusader pieces filled the air as Bay's MiG started to fly thru them. Avoiding the danger, he pulled away, at the same time observing the pilot ejecting from his aircraft. The engagement lasted approximately 45 seconds, and when he landed, plexiglas from the F-8 was found in his air (engine) intake. The American F-8 pilot was captured shortly after ejecting, and turned out to Wilfred K. Abbott, serving in the squadron VF-111, carrier USS Oriskany.
September 16, 1966
In the early afternoon at Gia LamGia Lam
Gia Lâm is a district of Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. Gia Lam Airport is located in the district. At one time Vietnam Airlines's headquarters were on the airport property....
airfield, Bay was flying in the number three position in a flight of four, when they were directed to engage US aircraft. Bay was the first to observe a flight of F-4s, and asked his flight leader, Ho Van Quy, for permission to attack, but Quy doubted they could catch up to the faster F-4s. Then Bay spotted an opportunity, the Phantoms began to make a climbing turn. Bay and his flight commenced to cut off the F-4s, he rolled in behind an F-4 piloted by Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
John "Robbie" Robertson and his backseater Hubert Buchanan. As he closed the range he opened fire with his cannons. The F-4 pulled hard and then eased its turn. Bay adjusted and fired again, this time observing one of the F-4's wheels flying off of its wing. Buchanan ejected, while Robertson is believed to have died when their Phantom crashed.
September 21, 1966
On this date, Bay was flying the lead of a four-ship flight, when he was directed to a target 10 miles ahead by ground control. After a few minutes, Bay spotted two F-105s at around 10,000 to 13,000 feet. Bay than banked in pursuit, knowing that F-105s normally traveled in packs of four, he looked around for the other pair. Not able to locate the other Thunderchiefs, Bay gave his wingman, Do Huy Hoang, permission to attack. Hoang flew wide to the left, and lined up behind the second F-105. Hoang waited for the "Thuds" to turn, but instead they rolled into a shallow bank. Bay's flight had flown into an ambush. Flying low to avoid radar behind the first Thunderchiefs were First Lieutenant Karl RichterKarl W. Richter
Karl Wendell Richter was an officer in the United States Air Force and an accomplished fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. At the age of 23 he was the youngest pilot in that conflict to shoot down a MiG in air-to-air combat.-Early career:Karl W. Richter was born October 4, 1942,the youngest of...
and Captain Ralph J. Beardsley. Richter jettisoned his rocket pods and lined up behind Hoang. Richter unleashed his M61 Gatling gun
M61 Vulcan
The M61 Vulcan is a hydraulically or pneumatically driven, six-barreled, air-cooled, electrically fired Gatling-style rotary cannon which fires 20 mm rounds at an extremely high rate. The M61 and its derivatives have been the principal cannon armament of United States military fixed-wing aircraft...
on Hoang. The airplane rolled on its own to wings level. Hoang lit the afterburner on his MiG and tried to regain control as his jet rolled to the right. Hoang's his left wing was in tatters from Richter's Gatling Gun
Gatling gun
The Gatling gun is one of the best known early rapid-fire weapons and a forerunner of the modern machine gun. It is well known for its use by the Union forces during the American Civil War in the 1860s, which was the first time it was employed in combat...
. Hoang checked his engine instruments and thought he was going to be fine, but then the plane began to come apart. Hoang had to eject. Bay, now alone, and with his fuel becoming desperately low, now found himself dodging missile
Missile
Though a missile may be any thrown or launched object, it colloquially almost always refers to a self-propelled guided weapon system.-Etymology:The word missile comes from the Latin verb mittere, meaning "to send"...
after missile
Missile
Though a missile may be any thrown or launched object, it colloquially almost always refers to a self-propelled guided weapon system.-Etymology:The word missile comes from the Latin verb mittere, meaning "to send"...
from avenging US jets, which, fortunately for him, now began to depart North Vietnam's air space. At this time, Bay spotted Vo Van and followed him back to base.
April 24, 1967
Bay, assigned as flight leader, was scrambled from Kien AnKien An
Kiến An is a urban district of Hai Phong, the third largest city of Vietnam....
airfield. His flight was headed to intercept a United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
air raid at the Haiphong
Haiphong
, also Haiphong, is the third most populous city in Vietnam. The name means, "coastal defence".-History:Hai Phong was originally founded by Lê Chân, the female general of a Vietnamese revolution against the Chinese led by the Trưng Sisters in the year 43 C.E.The area which is now known as Duong...
docks. Bay closed in on an unsuspecting F-8 Crusader
F-8 Crusader
The Vought F-8 Crusader was a single-engine, supersonic, carrier-based air superiority jet aircraft built by Vought for the United States Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps, replacing the Vought F7U Cutlass...
, piloted by Lt. Cdr. E.J. Tucker, and shot it down. Tucker ejected, but unfortunately he died in captivity. The escorting F-4s then counter attacked Bay's flight. The F-4s fired several Sidewinder
AIM-9 Sidewinder
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile carried mostly by fighter aircraft and recently, certain gunship helicopters. The missile entered service with United States Air Force in the early 1950s, and variants and upgrades remain in active service with many air forces...
s at Bay, but with his wingman's warning, he was able to dodge them all. Bay was then able to maneuver himself into a good shooting position, in which he then downed one of the attacking F-4 Phantoms. The crew of the F-4, Lt. Cdr. C.E. Southwick and Ens. J.W. Land believed that they had been shot down by AAA.
April 25, 1967
On this date, Bay and his flight were able to bring down two A-4 SkyhawkA-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
s. One A-4 was shot down by Bay himself, and the other was shot down by his wingman. Bay was awarded the Hero's Medal of the Vietnamese People's Army for his outstanding skill and bravery in combat, and for his superb leadership of his flight.
Early 1972
In 1971 Bay and his fellow pilot Le Xuan Di were trained in anti-ship warfare by a Cuban advisor. On April 19, 1972, the two men from the 923rd Fighter Regiment flew their MiG-17s, each armed with two 500 lb bombs, towards the open sea. Le Xuan Di headed his aircraft for the US destroyerDestroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
USS Higbee (DD-806), whilst Nguyen Van Bay struck for the US Navy light cruiser
Light cruiser
A light cruiser is a type of small- or medium-sized warship. The term is a shortening of the phrase "light armored cruiser", describing a small ship that carried armor in the same way as an armored cruiser: a protective belt and deck...
USS Oklahoma City
USS Oklahoma City
Two vessels of the United States Navy have been named USS Oklahoma City, after Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.* The first , originally CL-91, was a light cruiser in service from 1945 to 1947, then converted to a guided missile cruiser between 1957 and 1960, continuing in that service until 1979.* The...
(CLG-5), which had been shelling targets in Vinh
Vinh
Vinh is a city in Vietnam. It is located in the northern half of the country, and is the capital of Nghệ An Province. Politically, Vinh is a municipality within Nghệ An Province. On September 5th, 2008, it was upgraded from Grade-II city to Grade-I city, the fourth Grade-I city of Vietnam after...
City.
Bay's two bombs caused only slight damage to the cruiser USS Oklahoma City
USS Oklahoma City
Two vessels of the United States Navy have been named USS Oklahoma City, after Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.* The first , originally CL-91, was a light cruiser in service from 1945 to 1947, then converted to a guided missile cruiser between 1957 and 1960, continuing in that service until 1979.* The...
, as they may have been "near misses", while Di was able to score a direct hit on the destroyer Higbee's aft 5" gun mount (gun turret
Gun turret
A gun turret is a weapon mount that protects the crew or mechanism of a projectile-firing weapon and at the same time lets the weapon be aimed and fired in many directions.The turret is also a rotating weapon platform...
) with one of his two 500 lb bombs. This was the first successful air strike made by an enemy jet fighter bomber on a US Navy warship
Warship
A warship is a ship that is built and primarily intended for combat. Warships are usually built in a completely different way from merchant ships. As well as being armed, warships are designed to withstand damage and are usually faster and more maneuvrable than merchant ships...
while actively engaged in combat.
The USS Sterett
USS Sterett
Four ships of the United States Navy have borne the name USS Sterett in honor of Master Commandant Andrew Sterett , who served during the Quasi-War with France and the Barbary Wars....
(DLG-31), providing escort for the damaged warship, reportedly destroyed an enemy MiG interceptor with its Terrier
Terrier
A terrier is a dog of any one of many breeds or landraces of terrier type, which are typically small, wiry, very active and fearless dogs. Terrier breeds vary greatly in size from just a couple of pounds to over 70 pounds and are usually categorized by size or function...
missiles during the engagement. Following the initial attack, the USS Sterett deployed her Terrior missiles again and destroyed a Styx
Styx
In Greek mythology the Styx is the river that forms the boundary between the underworld and the world of the living, as well as a goddess and a nymph that represents the river.Styx may also refer to:-Popular culture:...
surface to surface missile in mid flight. The enemy missiles were thought to have been launched from North Vietnamese Patrol Boats. Of interest to some historians, is that both of the above pilots were supposed to have survived the 19 April air raid; leaving the question of, were there three enemy jets or was the perceived MiG destruction, actually the Styx missile? Notwithstanding, one of the attacking aircraft, manned or unmanned, was disintegrated by a direct hit by a Terrier missile at very close range—which was witnessed by crewmen aboard ship. No parachute was observed, only minor fragments of metal reflecting sunlight as they tumbled into the sea.
Grounded
Bay's victories made headlines in North Vietnam and fame soon followed. He dined regularly with Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh
Hồ Chí Minh , born Nguyễn Sinh Cung and also known as Nguyễn Ái Quốc, was a Vietnamese Marxist-Leninist revolutionary leader who was prime minister and president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam...
and reportedly, was amongst his favorites. Bay was grounded sporadically, and then permanently. As is often the practice in many countries, including the United States, high ranking "Ace
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
s" are often grounded during a continuing war, to negate their future loss in combat and to utilize their attained status to aspire future generations of youth within their nation.