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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.
Vietnam War/Vietnam Cease-fire Campaign (72-73)/Operation Linebacker I
From Month/Year
May / 1972
To Month/Year
October / 1972
Description Operation Linebacker was the title of a U.S. Seventh Air Force and U.S. Navy Task Force 77 air interdiction campaign conducted against the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) from 9 May to 23 October 1972, during the Vietnam War.
Its purpose was to halt or slow the transportation of supplies and materials for the Nguyen Hue Offensive (known in the West as the Easter Offensive), an invasion of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), by forces of the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN), that had been launched on 30 March. Linebacker was the first continuous bombing effort conducted against North Vietnam since the bombing halt instituted by President Lyndon B. Johnson in November 1968.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
May / 1972
To Month/Year
October / 1972
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories On 11 April 1972, Saratoga sailed from Mayport en route to Subic Bay, and her first deployment to the western Pacific. She arrived in Subic Bay on 8 May and departed for Vietnam the following week, arriving at "Yankee Station" on 18 May for her first period on the line. Before year's end, she was on station in the Tonkin Gulf a total of seven times: 18 May to 21 June; 1 July to 16 July; 28 July to 22 August; 2 September to 19 September, 29 September to 21 October; 5 November to 8 December; and 18 December to 31 December. She had been reclassified as a "Multi-purpose Aircraft Carrier" (CV-60) on 30 June 1972.
During the first period, Saratoga lost four aircraft and three pilots. On the plus side, on 21 June, two of her F-4 Phantoms attacked three MiG 21s over North Vietnam. Dodging four surface-to-air missiles, they managed to down one of the MiG aircraft. Saratoga's planes attacked targets ranging from enemy troop concentrations in the lower panhandle to petroleum storage areas northeast of Hanoi. On her second line period, she lost an F-4 to enemy fire northeast of Hanoi with the pilot and radar intercept officer missing in action. During this period, her aircraft flew 708 missions against the enemy.
On 6 August, Lieutenant Jim Lloyd of VA-105, flying an A-7 Corsair on a bombing mission near Vinh, had his plane shot out from under him by a SAM. He ejected into enemy territory at night. In a daring rescue by helicopters supported by CVW-3 aircraft, he was lifted from the midst of enemy soldiers and returned to the Saratoga. On 10 August, one of the ship's CAP jet fighters splashed a MiG at night using AIM-7 Sparrow missiles.
During the period 2 September to 19 September, Saratoga's aircraft flew over 800 combat strike missions against targets in North Vietnam. On 20 October, her aircraft flew 83 close air support sorties in six hours in support of a force of 250 Territorials beleaguered by the North Vietnamese 48th Regiment. Air support saved the small force, enabled ARVN troops to advance, and killed 102 North Vietnamese soldiers. During her last period on station, Saratoga's aircraft battered targets in the heart of North Vietnam for over a week.
Saratoga departed "Yankee Station" for Subic Bay on 7 January 1973.
