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This Sailor has an (IMO) In Memory Of Headstone in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
Commander Doyle W. Lynn was a Navy Crusader pilot. Lynn was not a green pilot. He had participated in the early Yankee Team operations in central Laos in 1964. In the spring of 1964, Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese forces launched attacks against Neutralist forces on the Plain of Jars in Xiangkhoang Province, Laos. Air Force and Navy photoreconnaissance jets began gathering intelligence information in May 1964 in Laos, and the result was a number of photos showing the Plain of Jars bristling with newly installed anti-aircraft guns.
Ambassador Leonard Unger obtained approval from the Johnson Administration to release the fuses on previously delivered U.S. bombs, for use by the Royal Lao Air Force. Prince Souvanna Phouma also authorized the use of U.S. fighters to accompany the unarmed reconnaissance jets over Laotian
territory, and these missions became code-named Yankee Team.
CDR was at that time assigned to Fighter Squadron 111 and on June 7 flew an F8D as escort on a Yankee Team reconnaissance mission over central Laos. His aircraft was shot down that day, but fortunately, he was rescued the following day. The rescue operations of this period laid the groundwork for the most successful combat rescue missions in history. The following year, May 27, Lynn was still in combat. During a combat mission over Nghe An Province, North Vietnam near the city of Vinh, his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire while he was in the target area and crashed. No parachute was seen, and little hope was held that Cdr. Lynn survived. He was listed Killed/Body Not Recovered.
Other Comments:
An Outstanding Crusader Pilot. POSTED ON 3/8/02 BY CDR VERN JUMPER USN, RET - VJUMPER2@COX.NET. I was CDR Bud Lynn's Landing Signal Officer aboard the USS Midway in 1965. The F8U Crusader, which he flew in VF-111, was a difficult jet to land aboard a carrier but he was one of the few that I ever saw that could make the Crusader appear to be "on rails" as he came aboard. He was an outstanding carrier pilot and Naval Officer.
He received 4 Distinguished Flying Crosses. Click on the ribbon bar above to see ther rest,
Name of Award
Distinguished Flying Cross
Devices
Gold Letter V
Awarded for distinguished actions in combat (valor)
Year Awarded
1965
Details behind Award:
Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded posthumously for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Commander Doyle Wilmer Lynn, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight for leading a flight of four aircraft on an anti-aircraft suppression mission against the Vinh Railroad Yards, North Vietnam, on 27 May 1965. Commander Lynn initiated the Air Wing attack with his flight in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire. His aircraft received fatal damage on the first run, entered uncontrolled flight, and crashed within the target complex. Commander Lynn's leadership, courageous fighting spirit and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: All Hands (September 1966)
Action Date: May 27, 1965
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Company: Fighter Squadron 111 (VF-111)
Division: U.S.S. Kitty Hawk (CVA-63)
3 distinct Navy squadrons have called themselves ‘Sundowners’. The U.S. Navy frequently has given the same designation to two or more aviation units, leading to lasting confusion. Officially, the US Navy does not recognize a direct lineage with disestablished squadrons if a new squadron is formed with the same designation.[1] Often, the new squadron will assume the nickname, insignia, and traditions of the earlier squadrons.
In 1985, VF-111 was one of several NAS Miramar based squadrons to participate in the filming of the film Top Gun. Some VF-111 and VF-51 aircraft were repainted in fictitious squadron markings for the film. To be able to film the sequences, the F-14s were fitted with cameras mounted in pods attached to the underbelly Phoenix pallets and the under wing pylons, as well as using ground mounted cameras. Also, one of the fictional RIOs in the film, played by Clarence Gilyard, uses the callsign "Sundown" and wears a VF-111 styled helmet and squadron patch on his flight suit.
VF-111 made seven Viet Nam combat cruises since 1964, flying over 12,500 missions over North and South Viet Nam, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. In 1967-68 the squadron sent a detachment, OMAR's ORPHANS,to USS INTREPID's Air Wing TEN to provide fighter escort for the attack and photo aircraft embarked. A SUN DOWNER from the 1968 Det scored the Navy's 19th CRUSADER MIG kill when Lt, Tony Nargi shot down a MIG-21. In addition to numerous individual citations, FITRON ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN earned the Navy Unit Commendation for seven deployments, and the Meritorious Unit Citations for the 1969 cruise aboard USS TICONDEROGA.
