Date : Saturday, April 03, 2004

Subject :  USS Midway F-4 Phantom II Fund Raising Campaign

Dear Friend of Naval Aviation,

The USS Midway (CVA-41) is now berthed at the Navy Pier at the foot of Broadway in downtown San Diego and is in the process of being converted into "The San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum" (SDACM). The opening date is targeted for the first week of June, 2004 so as to coincide with the anniversary of The Battle of Midway.

USS Midway fighters scored both the FIRST and LAST air combat victories of the Vietnam War! The Midway Phantom symbolizes and represents the entire period of Air-to-Air Combat Operations of The Vietnam War, (1965-1973)! If you believe the courage and dedication of all who participated in this hard-fought effort should be commemorated and saluted through the display of this aircraft aboard USS Midway, YOU must act now! Send a donation ASAP!

Naturally, part of this process is the authentic restoration, painting, and placement of display aircraft aboard Midway. The aircraft are being donated by the Navy, but the cost of painting and preparing an aircraft for display must be paid through private donations. Each aircraft will receive a "half & half" paint job, which means that each side of the aircraft will be painted in different squadron colors and markings. The cost of sponsoring an F-4 is $20,000 per side, or a total of $40,000 per aircraft.

There will be two F-4 Phantom II aircraft displays. The first F-4 aircraft has been allocated and is fully funded. The 2nd F-4 has been reserved for us, provided the $40,000. can be obtained in time. With the 2nd F-4, we have the opportunity to honor Midway and all Navy Phantom squadrons of the Vietnam War.

USS Midway fighters scored both the FIRST and LAST air combat victories of the Vietnam War! On June 17, 1965, while deployed aboard USS Midway in the Gulf of Tonkin, VF-21 Phantoms engaged and successfully shot down two North Vietnamese MiG-17 aircraft, using radar-guided Sparrow missiles. The first MiG-17 was downed by CDR Louis C. Page and LT. John C. Smith, and the second by their wingman, LT. David Batson and LCDR Robert Doremus. These were the FIRST air combat victories of the Vietnam War.

On January 12, 1973, while also deployed aboard USS Midway in the Gulf of Tonkin, VF-161 Phantoms engaged and successfully shot down a North Vietnamese MiG-17 aircraft, using IR-guided Sidewinder missiles. This MiG-17 was downed by LT. Victor Kovaleski and LT. James Wise. This was the LAST air combat victory of the Vietnam War. A total of eight enemy fighters were shot down by Midway aircraft during the Vietnam War.

Therefore, the drive is hereby underway to fund the painting of The Midway Phantom in the colors and markings of the Freelancers of Fighter Squadron Twenty-One & the Chargers of Fighter Squadron One Six One. The names of the "first & last" aviators, will be placed on the canopy rails in the traditional manner. The names of all Midway Phantom MiG killers will be placed on the intake ramp of the aircraft.

Undoubtedly, you see the importance of this aircraft, but it won't get done unless WE do it! This is a grassroots effort and everyone's help is critical. Join the team and help where you are needed. It's important, and time is critical! Please do it now!

Email us to donate, provide information or to learn more about this project: webmaster@MidwayPhantom.com