On August 27, 1967, an A-6A Intruder (bureau number 152639) carrying two crew members took off on a radar strike mission targeting enemy positions near Haiphong, North Vietnam. About an hour after takeoff, the Intruder radioed that it was making a run on its target. This was the last radio contact made with the aircraft, and it disappeared from radar soon after. When the Intruder failed to return, search and rescue teams began a search of its flight path, but were unable to locate the aircraft or its crew.

Major Vladimir Henry Bacik, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps from Texas, was a member of Marine All Weather Attack Squadron 533, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. He was the pilot of the Intruder when it went missing, and was lost with the aircraft. Following the incident, the Marine Corps promoted Maj Bacik to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (LtCol). Today, Lieutenant Colonel Bacik 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.

If you are a family member of this serviceman, DPAA can provide you with additional information and analysis of your case. Please contact your casualty office representative.