‘In retrospect, my ordering WSO to eject was a mistake which I have always regretted. I felt at the time I was saving his life and I intended to eject after he did,’ Major Ben “Ray” Battle, F-4D Phantom II pilot
The Phantom II, which had its maiden flight in May 1958, was initially created for US Navy fleet defense and went into service in 1961. After evaluating it for counterair, interdiction, and close air support, the USAF authorized a variant in 1962. On May 27, 1963, the USAF’s Phantom II, known as the F-4C, completed its maiden flight. Delivery of production started in November 1963. Although the F-4D has better avionics and other technologies, it is still remarkably similar to the F-4C.
On November 18, 1968, a 37mm anti-aircraft fire struck an F-4D #66-0249 from 433rd TFS, Ubon RTAB, Thailand, rendering the aircraft unstable. 1Lt Robert “Kenny” Boone, the weapons system officer (WSO), was given the order to eject by Pilot Major Ben “Ray” Battle.
Following the ejection, Major Boone performed a gear-up landing at Ubon as the aircraft regained control. Boone was recovered from the Laotian jungle unharmed, and Battle survived the landing.
Ray Battle recalls;
“Kenny Boone and I were flying a fast-mover FAC mission along the Ho Chi Min trail in Laos. It was an orientation ride for Kenny, as he was newly assigned to my unit. We were at 4000 feet, and Kenny was flying the airplane when I heard an explosion, the aircraft shuddered, and the front windscreen was covered in what turned out to be hydraulic fluid. My sensation was that the aircraft as out of control, and I ordered Kenny to eject, which he did. Instinctively, I took the stick and throttles in hand, and to my amazement, the aircraft was flyable. I called for help for Kenny and headed back to Thailand where we were stationed. I was given the option of ejecting or landing gear up as the landing gear would not come down. I elected to land gear up and catch the runway wire with my tailhook… I have 150 aircraft carrier landings and thought I could easily make an arrested landing on the runway. I pulled the power off just as I touched down, and the aircraft settled onto the wire, cutting it. The aircraft slid down the runway and veered off to the right before fish-hooking to the right and stopping. It caught on fire and I jumped out safely. As you know, Kenny was recovered after spending a nervous night hanging in a tree in Laos. In retrospect, my ordering Kenny to eject was a mistake which I have always regretted. I felt at the time I was saving his life, and I intended to eject after he did. We both survived the incident for which I am grateful.”
As reported by Sierra Hotel Aeronautics, F-4D #66-0249 was eventually repaired, needing a new nose cone, some paint, and a new seat for the guy in the back. She was returned to service two years later, in February of 1970, and went on to enjoy a long career. Sadly Ol’ #249 saw her end with a plunge in the Florida Gulf, flying out of Tyndall AFB in 1985.
Photo by U.S. Air Force