LTjg David Philip "Phil" Neislar
1944-1969

VF-21, CVW-2, USS RANGER, TF 77, 7TH FLEET United States Navy

David Philip Neislar was born Jan 25, 1944 to Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Neislar of Fort Smith. He graduated from Ft. Smith High School (later "Northside") in 1962 and attended Oklahoma University in Norman, Okla. "He graduated from college at University of Oklahoma. He was not only a great guy, but a terrific athlete; he turned down a football scholarship to Alabama to take a track scholarship at OU. A truly great guy that Fort Smith should always honor." Ralph Downs Find a Grave - Lieutenant Junior Grade David Phillip Neislar from Norman, Oklahoma lost his life at the age of 25 on February 20, 1969. He was born on January 25, 1944 and he was an Unrestricted Line Officer (Pilot) with 2 years of service in the U.S. Navy and arrived in Vietnam waters assigned to Fighter Squadron 21 (VF-21), Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2), USS Ranger (CV-61), Task Force 77 (TF-77), 7th Fleet. On February 20, 1969, an F-4J Phantom II (bureau number 155763, call sign "Sundown 113") with two crew members performed a catapult launch from the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA 61) in the Gulf of Tonkin. A malfunction during the launch caused the aircraft to slide off the deck and fall into the water. The radar intercept officer aboard "Sundown 113" ejected and parachuted from the aircraft before it hit the water; however, the pilot LTJG David Neislar was still in the aircraft when it crashed. Search teams located and rescued the radar intercept officer, but LTJG David Neislar could not be found. For more comments and remembrances from his friends see: http://www.thewall-usa.com/guest.asp?recid=37505. Daily Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Oct 3, 1967 Bownwood Bulletin, Brownwood, Texas Feb 26, 1969