Gulf of Tonkin, South Vietnam - VA-115, CVW-5, USS MIDWAY, TF 77, 7TH FLEET
While returning to the USS Midway, Lt Bixel's pilot attempted a routine night landing that went wrong. The landing gear of his A-6 Intruder collapsed on landing, causing it to skid into several parked aircraft, causing a fiery crash that killed five crew men and injured 23 others on the deck on October 24, 1972. While both men ejected, they were unable to recover Lt Bixel, age 25. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Lt Bixel's name is located on the Wall at Panel 1W, Row 83.
Distinguished Flying Cross Citation
For heroism while participating in aerial flight as a naval flight officer of jet aircraft attached to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN embarked in USS MIDWAY (CVA-41). On 24 July 1972, Lieutenant (jg) Bixel was the bombardier/navigator of an aircraft assigned a night mission deep into North Vietnam. He skillfully navigated during a low-level, high-speed flight to the important Luc Nham Petroleum Products Storage Area northeast of Hanoi. In spite of numerous surface-to-air missile sites and antiaircraft fire, Lieutenant (jg) Bixel prosecuted an attack which resulted in at least one secondary explosion at the target. The crew then reconnoitered vital enemy route segments and successfully attacked targets of opportunity including a large waterborne logistics craft. Lieutenant (jg) Bixel’s courage, aerial skill, and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Mother: Shirley J Bixel (1927 - 2012)
While returning to the USS Midway, Lt Bixel's pilot attempted a routine night landing that went wrong. The landing gear of his A-6 Intruder collapsed on landing, causing it to skid into several parked aircraft, causing a fiery crash that killed five crew men and injured 23 others on the deck on October 24, 1972. While both men ejected, they were unable to recover Lt Bixel, age 25. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Lt Bixel's name is located on the Wall at Panel 1W, Row 83.
Distinguished Flying Cross Citation
For heroism while participating in aerial flight as a naval flight officer of jet aircraft attached to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN embarked in USS MIDWAY (CVA-41). On 24 July 1972, Lieutenant (jg) Bixel was the bombardier/navigator of an aircraft assigned a night mission deep into North Vietnam. He skillfully navigated during a low-level, high-speed flight to the important Luc Nham Petroleum Products Storage Area northeast of Hanoi. In spite of numerous surface-to-air missile sites and antiaircraft fire, Lieutenant (jg) Bixel prosecuted an attack which resulted in at least one secondary explosion at the target. The crew then reconnoitered vital enemy route segments and successfully attacked targets of opportunity including a large waterborne logistics craft. Lieutenant (jg) Bixel’s courage, aerial skill, and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Mother: Shirley J Bixel (1927 - 2012)
Gulf of Tonkin, South Vietnam - VA-115, CVW-5, USS MIDWAY, TF 77, 7TH FLEET
While returning to the USS Midway, Lt Bixel's pilot attempted a routine night landing that went wrong. The landing gear of his A-6 Intruder collapsed on landing, causing it to skid into several parked aircraft, causing a fiery crash that killed five crew men and injured 23 others on the deck on October 24, 1972. While both men ejected, they were unable to recover Lt Bixel, age 25. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Lt Bixel's name is located on the Wall at Panel 1W, Row 83.
Distinguished Flying Cross Citation
For heroism while participating in aerial flight as a naval flight officer of jet aircraft attached to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN embarked in USS MIDWAY (CVA-41). On 24 July 1972, Lieutenant (jg) Bixel was the bombardier/navigator of an aircraft assigned a night mission deep into North Vietnam. He skillfully navigated during a low-level, high-speed flight to the important Luc Nham Petroleum Products Storage Area northeast of Hanoi. In spite of numerous surface-to-air missile sites and antiaircraft fire, Lieutenant (jg) Bixel prosecuted an attack which resulted in at least one secondary explosion at the target. The crew then reconnoitered vital enemy route segments and successfully attacked targets of opportunity including a large waterborne logistics craft. Lieutenant (jg) Bixel’s courage, aerial skill, and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Mother: Shirley J Bixel (1927 - 2012)
While returning to the USS Midway, Lt Bixel's pilot attempted a routine night landing that went wrong. The landing gear of his A-6 Intruder collapsed on landing, causing it to skid into several parked aircraft, causing a fiery crash that killed five crew men and injured 23 others on the deck on October 24, 1972. While both men ejected, they were unable to recover Lt Bixel, age 25. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Lt Bixel's name is located on the Wall at Panel 1W, Row 83.
Distinguished Flying Cross Citation
For heroism while participating in aerial flight as a naval flight officer of jet aircraft attached to Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN embarked in USS MIDWAY (CVA-41). On 24 July 1972, Lieutenant (jg) Bixel was the bombardier/navigator of an aircraft assigned a night mission deep into North Vietnam. He skillfully navigated during a low-level, high-speed flight to the important Luc Nham Petroleum Products Storage Area northeast of Hanoi. In spite of numerous surface-to-air missile sites and antiaircraft fire, Lieutenant (jg) Bixel prosecuted an attack which resulted in at least one secondary explosion at the target. The crew then reconnoitered vital enemy route segments and successfully attacked targets of opportunity including a large waterborne logistics craft. Lieutenant (jg) Bixel’s courage, aerial skill, and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Mother: Shirley J Bixel (1927 - 2012)
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