SHANKS, JAMES LEE

Name: James Lee Shanks
Branch/Rank: United States Air Force/O4
Unit:  12th Air Commando Squadron
Date of Birth: 13 April 1930
Home City of Record: OYSTER POINT NY
Date of Loss: 24 May 1968
Country of Loss: South Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 83404 North  1045855 East
Status (in 1973): Killed In Action/Body Not Recovered
Category: 3
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: UC123B
Missions:
Other Personnel in Incident: Emmett Rucker Jr., KIA/BNR
Refno:

Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following: raw
data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA
families, published sources, interviews and CACCF = Combined Action
Combat Casualty File. 2020

REMARKS:

CACCF/CRASH AT SEA/AIRCREW/OFFSHORE MR4/18YRS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

No further information available at this time.

==========================
Library of Congress files:

South Vietnam, pre-1975: BIOGRAPHIC/SITE REPORT, PHOTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL
HISTORY RECORD
Country: South Vietnam, pre-1975

Name: JAMES L. SHANKS

Subjects: MINH HAI PROVINCE; Aircraft downed; Killed

Reel: 204

Page: 1-5

Type of Document: Miscellaneous

Date of Report: 00 00 00

Date of Information: 68 05 24

Originator: USAF

Category: Casualty files


South Vietnam, pre-1975: CHANGE IN CATEGORY FROM "DEAD (BNR)" TO "REMAINS
NONRECOVERABLE"
Country: South Vietnam, pre-1975

Name: JAMES L. SHANKS

Subjects: Remains; Aircraft downed

Reel: 204

Page: 23-24

Type of Document: Memorandum

Date of Report: 76 05 11

Date of Information: 68 05 24

Originator: JCRC

Category: Casualty files

=============================================

From: "Shanks, Mark L CIV USA TRADOC" <Mark.Shanks@us.army.mil>
17 Nov 2011
 
I am the second of three sons of James Lee Shanks killed May 24, 1968 -
I have heard that there exist original bracelets with my dad's name on
them - is there any way that my brothers and I could receive any of the
original bracelets??  Please contact me and let me know.
Thank you
  
Mark Lee Shanks
Exhibit Specialist
U.S. Army Transportation Museum
300 Washington Blvd.
Fort Eustis, Virginia,  23604
 
Email:  mark.shanks@us.army.mil


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02/2020

https://dpaa.secure.force.com/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000KZMWEA4
 

MAJ JAMES LEE SHANKS

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On May 24, 1968, an UC-123B Provider (tail number 54-0588, call sign "Hades Alpha 02") carrying three crew members took off as second in a flight of six aircraft on a defoliation mission over South Vietnam. As the UC-123B was leaving the target area, it reported receiving ground fire. Crew members of another aircraft observed smoke trailing from the left wing of the aircraft and shortly thereafter, it entered a steep dive and crashed into the water in the vicinity of (GC) VQ 982 487. Immediate search and recovery efforts were initiated but only recovered the remains of one crew member. The two other crew members were lost with the aircraft.

Major James Lee Shanks entered the U.S. Air Force from New York and was a member of the 12th Air Commando Squadron. He was the co-pilot of  the UC-123B when it crashed, and was lost with the aircraft. His remains were not recovered. Today, Major Shanks 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.

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