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Today in History – December 5, 1956 – The “Snark” disappears and is found 27 years later (maybe).

5 December 1956 – A Northrop XSM-62 Snark, 53-8172, N-69D test model, fitted with a new 24-hour stellar inertial guidance system, launches from Cape Canaveral Missile Test Annex, Florida. It wanders off-course, ignores destruct command, disappears over Brazil. It is found by a farmer in January 1983. The Day They Lost the Snark   By J.

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Cowell, Richard J. – KIA

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  • Cowell, Richard J. – KIA

Richard John Cowell - KIA

Date of Birth: July 19, 1942
Highest Military Grade: 0-3 – Captain
Hometown: Lemoore, CA
Headed West Date: March 9, 1970
Biography
Pilot Information

Richard John Cowell enlisted in the USAF and was assigned as a pilot to the 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron/35th Tactical Fighter Wing/7th Air Force out of Phan Range AB, Vietnam.

On June 13, 1967, Capt Cowell’s F-100D #56-3384 was hit by anti-aircraft artillery 21 miles West of Kam Duc. He was recovered and pronounced dead at Chu Lai Airbase of wounds received in action.

Richard is buried at Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York. This is a National American Cemetery administered through the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. He is also memorialized on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 13w, Line 102.

Sources: Honorstates.org;vvfm.org; coffeltdatabase.com; findagrave.com

Units Assigned

  • 1967 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron/35th Tactical Fighter Wing/7th Air Force out of Phan Range AB, Vietnam (F-100D)

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
AF Good Conduct Medal
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
Vietnam Cross Of Gallantry
Vietnam Gallantry Cross
US Air Force Pilot Badge
United States Aviator Badge Air Force

Flight Info

F-100D

Military & Civilian Education

Wall of Honor Location

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The mission of the Super Sabre Society is to preserve the history of the F-100 Super Sabre and the men who flew the aircraft.

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