Tribute to Douglas Webster VA-56 Champions USS Ticonderoga CVA-14

USS Ticonderoga CVA-14 per Ship's Deck log entry states: Sunday 5 December 1965 From: Special Operations Area To: Yokosuka, Japan 12:00 to 16:00 ENTRY:- 14:50 WHILE BEING ROLLED FROM NO. 2 HANGER BAY TO NO. 2 ELEVATOR, A4E AIRCRAFT BU NO. 151022 OF VA-56, WITH PILOT LTJG D. M. WEBSTER USN, 668086 ABOARD, ROLLED OFF THE ELEVATOR AND SANK IN 2700 FATHOMS OF WATER AT 27*-33.2'N, 131*-19.3E.
signed by: J. S. McCABE LTJG USN
Broken Arrow, 5 December 1965: "While the USS Ticonderoga CVA-14 was en route from operations off Vietnam to Yokosuka, Japan, an A-4E aircraft Skyhawk [BuNo 151022] of VA-56 Champions loaded with bomb goes overboard. The aircraft was being rolled from the number 2 hangar bay to the number 2 elevator when it rolled off the elevator with the pilot LTJG Douglas M. Webster and the bomb and sank in 2700 fathoms [16,200 feet; 4,938 meters] of water. A search fails to find the pilot. The Department of Defense states this accident took place 'more than 500 miles from land' when it reveals the accident in 1981. However, Navy documents show the accident occurred about 80 miles east of the Japanese Ryuku Island chain and 250 miles south of Kyushu Island, Japan, and about 200 miles east of Okinawa. Due to the pressure at that depth, some believe that the weapon might have imploded. (There is no evidence supporting this)
*****MAY HIS SACRIFICE NEVER BE FORGOTTEN*****

Category:

Education

Tags:

• LTJG Douglas Webster
• Broken Arrow
• USS Ticonderoga CVA-14
• VA-56
• Vietnam
• Skyhawk
• Champions+
• Gene
• McCallister

[hcanuck7]

Is there video evidence of the accident ?

[platero24]

Wow so many memories with these videos I was on board on those days all the way to 1969

[best1fishman]

Doug my fellow shipmate from which I served myself along with 4 shipmates from Warren OH.. That was one of my most memorable days saddest in my life and still have thoughts of it. Doug plane took off with clear blue skys above but fate turned on him as he and his plane sliped silently to the blues seas below. .God be with fellow shipmate and my sympathy to all the Doug Webster family.

[dreamerpa]

Thank you for posting this. Our uncle would be pleased to know Doug's sacrifice was not forgotten.

[weppy51]

Doug was my cousin. His father was so proud of him. Thanks for recognizing his bravery and for posting this.

[johnradak]

I watched it happen. thanks for doing this.

john r VA-52 skyraiders.

All those pilots were the best.

[Tico196566]

It is a shame this young man flew 17 missions over vietnam, sacrificed his life for his country and his name was never put on the vietnam wall and Never given the credit he so much earned.

Thank you and you family for your service.

[TiconderogaCVA14]

A great tribute Mac. I remember the day it happened. I'm glad that today he can get some recognition for his sacrifice to the country. Navy carrier pilots are the best of the best. Chuck V.