Today in History – March 20, 1968 – Fred Neal Thompson shot down

March 20, 1968 – Major Fred Neal Thompson was flying his F-100D (#553606) on a mission over South Vietnam when he was hit by gunfire.  Fred was stationed at Phu Cat with the 416th. In November of 1967, Thompson had received the Distinguished Flying Cross as an F-100 pilot for his actions during an aerial battle. Five months later he was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. He received an early release by the North Vietnamese on July 22, 1968, and returned home on August 4, 1968. Fred is an SSS Member.