On Dec 13, 2:27 pm, "Ray O'Hara" wrote:
"a425couple" wrote in message

...

While looking for something else, reading site:
http://www.silent-warriors.com/shootdown_list.html

I found this bummer:
25 May 1968 A Soviet Tu-16 Badger buzzed a group of US Navy vessels,
including the USS Essex (CVS-9), off the coast of northern Norway. Shortly
after passing low over the Essex, the Soviet bomber banked and one wing
tip
hit the sea. The plane then cartwheeled and exploded. There were no
survivors.

Show-boating, or just routine goof-up?

both.

Neither, didn't happen, Benny-boy wasn't in the Sea of Japan on that
day and if a Soviet aircraft had crashed within sight of an American
ship there would have noise up and down the Asian Coast.The Tonkin
Gulf incident would not have taken place because no one would have
sent the Maddox in. That was about Jul;y 28.