Saxby, James Francis
Air Force 1st Lieutenant
James Francis Saxby, age 24, from Holcomb, New York, Ontario county.
Parents: James E. Saxby
Spouse: Susan (Haberstroh
Children: Jennifer
Service era: Vietnam
Schools: Bloomfield Central High, LeMoyne Univeristy of Syracuse graduate
Date of death: Sunday, November 29, 1970
Death details: Ten minutes after his departure from Phan Rang Air Base, the pilot started the descent to Cam Ranh Bay via a steep valley (3 km wide and 15 km long) at an altitude of 2,700 feet via heading 30°. Shortly later, ATC instructed the crew to change heading to 100° when contact was lost. The airplane struck trees with its both wings, stalled and crashed in flames in a dense wooded area located few km from Cam Ranh Bay Airport. Rescuers arrived on the scene five days later and found two men still alive while 42 other occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was nil due to low clouds.
Cemetery: Saint Bridget’s
Source: National Archives, Daily Messenger (1970)