Rank/Branch: O2/US Navy
Unit: Attack Squadron 76, USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN 65)
Date of Birth: 21 May 1941
Home City of Record: Baltimore MD
Date of Loss: 02 January 1966
Country of Loss: South Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 144557N 1085157E (BS703334)
Status (in 1973): Killed/Body Not Recovered
Category: 2
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: A4C
Other Personnel in Incident: (none missing)
Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 15 May 1990 from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews.
REMARKS:
SYNOPSIS: When nuclear powered USS ENTERPRISE arrived on Yankee Station on December 2, 1965, she was the largest warship ever built. She brought with her not only an imposing physical presence, but also an impressive component of warplanes and the newest technology. By the end of her first week of combat operations, the ENTERPRISE had set a record of 165 combat sorties in a single
day, surpassing the KITTY HAWK's 131. By the end of her first combat cruise, her air wing had flown over 13,000 combat sorties. The record had not been achieved without cost.

One of the combat aircraft that launched from the decks of the ENTERPRISE was the A4 Skyhawk. The Skyhawk was built by Douglas Aircraft to provide the Navy and Marine Corps with an inexpensive, lightweight attack and ground support aircraft. The design emphasized low-speed control and stability during take-off and landing as well as strength enough for catapult launch and carrier landings.
The plane was so compact that it did not need folding wings for aboardship storage and handling. In spite of its diminutive size, the A4 packed a devastating punch and performed well where speed and maneuverability were essential.

LTJG Donald C. MacLaughlin, Jr. wa a pilot assigned to Attack Squadron 76 onboard the USS ENTERPRISE> On January 2, 1966, MacLaughlin was flying as a wingman in an A4C Skyhawk on a combat mission in South Vietnam.

Weather in the target area was 2300-2600 feet overcast. Approximately 3 miles south of the target, visibility reduced to zero in fog. The flight leader made the first run and, after pulling off the target instructed the wingman to pull up and hold in a clear area. No acknowledgement was received. The leader made one more run then called again to MacLaughlin, but received no answer.

The flight leader transmitted in blind to the rendezvous point after three orbits. The leader then alerted search and rescue (SAR) to look for his wingman. The search proved fruitless and the leader returned to ship.
Later search efforts located wreckage that was widely dispersed indicating a shallow impact angle.