This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Randy Jensen (Randy), PT3
to remember
Lerseth, Roger G., CDR.
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Contact Info
Home Town Belle Fourche
Last Address Spokane, Washington
Date of Passing Mar 27, 2004
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Name: Roger Gene Lerseth
Rank/Branch: O3/US Navy
Unit:
Date of Birth:
Home City of Record: Spokane WA
Date of Loss: 06 September 1972
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 204610N 1063800E (XH700972)
Status (in 1973): Released POW
Category:
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: A6A
Other Personnel in Incident: Donald F. Lindland (remains returned)
Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 1 April 1991 from one or more of
the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence
with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W.
NETWORK 2008.
REMARKS: 730212 RELSD BY DRV - INJURED
SYNOPSIS: The Grumman A6 Intruder is a two-man all weather, low-altitude,
carrier-based attack plane, with versions adapted as aerial tanker and
electronic warfare platform. The A6A primarily flew close-air-support,
all-weather and night attacks on enemy troop concentrations, and night
interdiction missions. The planes were credited with some of the most
difficult single-plane strikes in the war, including the destruction of the
Hai Duong bridge between Hanoi and Haiphong by a single A6. Their missions
were tough, but their crews among the most talented and most courageous to
serve the United States.
Donald F. Lindand was the pilot of an A6A sent on a combat mission near
Haiphong, North Vietnam on September 6, 1972. His bombardier/navigator on
the flight was Lt. Roger G. Lerseth. During the mission the aircraft was
shot down and both crewmembers ejected.
Lerseth was captured by the Vietnamese and taken to Hanoi. Lindand was seen
running on the ground with Lerseth after ejection, and is known to have
evaded capture for 24 hours. Hanoi radio reported that the "aggressor
pilots" had been captured, but Lerseth was told by the Vietnamese that
Lindland was dead.
In February 1973, Lerseth was released with 591 Americans from Vietnam. He
had been a "guest" in the Hanoi prison system for the relatively short
period of five months.
On June 3, 1983, the Vietnamese "discovered" and returned the remains of
Donald F. Lindland to U.S. control. Alive or dead, Lindland was a prisoner of
war for eleven years.
03/27/04
As you know, Rog has been quite ill. We hoped we had the issue resolved,
however, the balancing act between liver and kidneys never worked. Despite
all efforts, nothing could be made to work. It grieves me deeply to tell
you that this morning, Roger "...slipped the surly bonds of earth."
Other Comments:
Roger Lerseth retired from the United States Navy as a Commander. He resided
in Whidbey Island with his wife, Chris, until his death. He will be buried in
Arlington.
NEC 132X-Unrestricted Line Officer - Naval Flight Officer
Base, Station or City Not Specified
State/Country Not Specified
Patch
VA-35 Black Panthers Details
In September 1965, the Black Panthers received their first Grumman A-6A Intruder, an aircraft that was destined to become the workhorse during the Vietnam conflict. With its highly sophisticated ground-mapping radar and computerized weapons systems, the A-6 was able to deliver its ordnance against significant North Vietnamese targets in all weather conditions. VA-35 aircrews saw action on four Western Pacific combat deployments during the years 1966 through January 1973, when VA-35 participated in the last air strike in South Vietnam, attacking North Vietnamese forces near the DMZ. In 1968, while deployed onboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) enroute to the Gulf of Tonkin VA-35 and her air group responded to the PUEBLO crisis in the Sea of Japan.
In 1980, the Black Panthers became the first operational A-6 squadron to deploy with the forward looking infrared receiver and laser equipped A-6E TRAM aircraft. Responding to the hostage crisis in Iran, the squadron left the Mediterranean for the Indian Ocean onboard USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) in January 1980 where it spent 144 continuous days at sea.
The Black Panthers concluded a highly successful Mediterranean deployment in 1987 and ended a 12-year association with USS NIMITZ (CVN 68). In 1989, the Navy’s oldest Attack Squadron joined the Navy’s newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71), for its maiden Mediterranean deployment. Also in 1989 theBlack Panthers began the real-world employment of the latest night attack technology: Night Vision Devices. Used in conjunction with the A-6E SWIP’s already impressive night attack capabilities, the NVDs allowed unprecedented stealth and tactical maneuverability.
In August 1990 the squadron deployed once more for what promised to be a relatively easy summer Med cruise. Operation Desert Shield/Storm put an end to that idea quickly. The men of VA-35 would set many Navy firsts before their eight month combat cruise ended. Flying from the deck of USS SARATOGA (CV 60), the squadron was the first Navy squadron to drop bombs on Iraqi targets, the first to use Night Vision Devices in combat (over 300 combat hours with NVDs), and the first fleet squadron to drop high altitude Rockeyes, Gators, and DSTs (destructors) on Iraqi targets. Additionally, the Black Panthersflew nearly 400 strike sorties (all over 5 hours duration) and expended over 1.7 million pounds of ordnance.