TBS 2-67 Cruisebook_Updated_7Jan23

John "Jack" Consolvo
established radio contact with the ABCCC advising
them of the situation and reporting the coordinates
were Lead crashed into the jungle on the south side
of Nui Ba Tum mountain less than a mile south of
Highway QL9, 15 miles south of the DMZ, 20 miles
west of Quang Tri City and 100 miles northwest of
DaNang. King 26 immediately initiated the SAR
operation and directed Capt. Consolvo’s wingman to
orbit in a holding pattern out to sea in case his
assistance was required. Ten minutes later King 26
told Bootleg 05 ­02 to return to base as the rescue
mission was underway and their services were not
needed.
Voice contact was established with CWO3
Castonguay who reported he was alright. As the
Jolly Green rescue helicopters orbited at a distance,
the A1E Skyraiders made repeated attack passes on
previously established enemy positions in and
around the area of loss. Due to the intense enemy
presence, SAR was unable to rescue the RIO on the
afternoon of the shootdown. At first light the next
morning the rescue mission resumed and by mid
afternoon they were successful in recovering Jim
Castonguay. At the same time, efforts were made to
locate Capt. Consolvo, but all attempts proved
unsuccessful. At the time the formal search
operation was terminated, Jack Consolvo was
declared Missing in Action.
M‐30