This exhibit is dedicated to Harry Mossman, a high school companion who lost his life during the Vietnam war - in August of 1972. A brave aviator, Mossman undertook a mission on the carrier Kitty Hawk, piloting an A-6 Intruder, a low-level bomber. Serving as both the weapons officer and Bombardier navigator, he worked closely with his pilot, Roger Lester. Their departure was amidst a turbulent night characterized by thunder, lightning, and limited visibility. The harsh weather conditions did not deter the duo from undertaking their mission. However, they soon found themselves targeted by a North Vietnamese surface-to-air missile. While the missile missed the aircraft, it struck a mountain, resulting in a shower of deadly shrapnel that critically damaged the plane's hydraulic system. In a desperate attempt to avoid the mountain, pilot Roger Lester maneuvered the compromised aircraft. Unfortunately, the plane missed by a mere hundred feet, crashing into the mountain. Both men perished in the incident, their remains undiscovered for over three decades. Their whereabouts remained unknown until the intervention of the Joint Prisoners and Accounting Command. Persistent in their mission to account for every serviceman and woman, the Command eventually reached the region where Mossman and Lester were last seen. Relying on the information provided by local villagers, the team embarked on a painstaking excavation. They unearthed a burnt boot, an illegible dog tag, and a six-inch bone, later DNA tested and confirmed as Mossman's. Such a heroic tale was largely unknown until a convention of Vietnam-era naval aviators in San Diego. A chairman of the group and former roommate of Mossman’s provided the key details to this story. Inspired by this revelation, a tribute was envisioned to honor the late aviator. Members of Mossman's squadron aided in this endeavor, supplying a uniform jacket replete with patches, reissues of his medals, and even pieces of the crashed plane. High school yearbook photos, portraying shared moments on baseball and football teams, add a personal touch to the tribute. Additionally, a clock from the doomed aircraft and artifacts from the crash site are displayed, tangible remnants of the tragic event. The commitment to memorializing Mossman extended beyond the exhibit; the squadron also extended an invitation to the Museum of Flight in Seattle. There, an A-6 Intruder, identical to the one Mossman flew, bearing the names of Mossman and Lester, was unveiled. This emotional event was attended by Mossman's widow, son, and grandsons. Through this tribute, the legacy of Harry Mossman and his heroic efforts during a tumultuous time in history are preserved and celebrated. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those in service and the ongoing efforts to honor their memory.
