O’Grady, John Francis
Air Force Colonel

John Francis O’Grady from New Hyde Park, New York, Nassau county.

Service era: Vietnam

Date of death: April 10, 1967
Death details: Hostile, died missing, North Vietnam. Major John Francis O’Grady entered the U.S. Air Force from New York and served in the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron. On April 10, 1967, he piloted a single-seat F-105D Thunderchief (tail number 624537) as the number three aircraft in a flight of four on an armed reconnaissance mission against enemy targets in the Mu Gia Pass, North Vietnam. When he reached the target area, Maj O’Grady maneuvered to make his pass at the target but discovered he was not lined up properly and aborted, and then told the number four aircraft to make a pass and that he would follow. The number four aircraft did not see Maj O’Grady make his pass but did see his ordnance explode. A short time later, Maj O’Grady radioed that he was hit by enemy fire and one engine was overheating. He ejected, and his parachute was seen on the ground near (GC) 48Q WE 819 719, though it was unclear if Maj O’Grady was in his parachute or not. No rescue beeper signals were heard, and Maj O’Grady was not seen again. Subsequent searches to locate him or his remains were unsuccessful.

Source: National Archives