John Lavra Collection   

First time I was shot down I was assigned to VA-55, USS Princeton (CV-37), 21 June 1951, The aircraft was hit by ground fire and I crash landed after flying over 100 miles unbalanced.  Finding an open field I attempted landing. I pulled the nose up at last minute to clear people working in the field and lost control.  The Aircraft did a complete flip, tail over engine and hit the ground going backwards!  No injuries. No fire.  I was returned to the ship 3 days later via COD (TBM)


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