Lieutenant Junior Grade Gene William Goeden entered the U.S. Navy from Oregon and was a member of Attack Squadron 115, embarked aboard the USS Hancock (CVA 19). He was the pilot of a single-seat A-1H Skyraider (bureau number 135225) that took off from the Hancock as wingman in a flight of two on a combat mission over enemy targets in North Vietnam. The Skyraider was searching for a downed aircraft over the Gulf of Tonkin when radar and radio contact were lost with LTJG Goeden. The flight leader's plane crashed at about the same time, and after his rescue the flight leader stated he felt a severe impact on his aircraft right before the crash and suspected that a midair collision occurred between his and LTJG Goeden's plane. Lieutenant Junior Grade Goeden remains unaccounted for. Today, Lieutenant Junior Grade Goeden 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.