Greiling, David Scott
Navy Commander

David Scott Greiling, age 33, from Hillsdale, Michigan, Hillsdale county.

Service era: Vietnam

Date of death: July 24, 1968
Death details:  Lieutenant Commander David Scott Greiling entered the U.S. Navy from Michigan and served in Attack Squadron 82. On July 24, 1968, he piloted a single-seat A-7A Crusader (bureau number 153253, call sign “Street Car 302”) as the leader in a flight of two aircraft on a night combat mission over enemy targets in North Vietnam. While over the target area, LCDR Greiling radioed that he was rolling in to make a run on the target. Shortly thereafter, his wingman observed a large explosion over the target area, after which he was unable to establish radio contact with LCDR Greiling. The wingman made his pass on the target, then searched for LCDR Greiling but could not locate him. Search and rescue efforts the next day were similarly unsuccessful. Following the incident, the Navy promoted LCDR Greiling to the rank of Commander (CDR). Today, Commander Greiling is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual’s case to be in the analytical category of Non-recoverable.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency