May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, and with this series of short profile videos, we remember some of the “firsts” in the United States Navy. Gordon Ross Nakagawa served in the Vietnam War, flying the A-6 Intruder. In 1972, his plane was shot down and he was taken prisoner by the North Vietnamese, eventually imprisoned at the infamous Hanoi Hilton. Learn more about Nakagawa and his accomplishments in this video. This video is narrated by Museum Military Educator, Matthew Headrick. It was written, produced and directed by the staff at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. (US Navy Video by Matthew Headrick/Released).

Transcript

Gordon Ross Nakagawa was born in Auburn, California On June 13 1935, Nakagawa is naval career commence as an N. R. O. T. C. Midshipman battalion commander at the university of California Berkeley. He received his commission as an ensign in 1958 and secured his wings of gold as a naval aviator in 1959. His first assignment was with an anti-submarine squadron flying the S two, an anti-submarine warfare aircraft. Following two deployments, Nakagawa helped carrier task groups developed counter offensive tactics aimed at nuclear attack submarines. He also played an important role in the pacific missile range program, managing projects designed to improve missile ballistics. 1966 Nakagawa earned a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering Systems at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. After completing his education, Nachtigal reported to the first A six squadron where he flew the A six intruder, a twin jet designed for all weather and night attacks. As part of the A 1 65 a squadron nicknamed the boomers Nakagawa deployed with U. S. S. Yorktown on to combat cruises in Vietnam, One beginning in 1967 and the other a year later, It was 1967 that Nakagawa took part in night attacks on a surface to Air Missile Battalion. One of the first missions of its kind to be deemed a success, Nakagawa would look back on this accomplishment with great pride. In 1968 Nakagawa, a six intruder was hit by 37 millimeter anti-aircraft artillery shell in the left wing. Luckily, Nachtigal was able to land the aircraft safely after returning home from back to back deployments. Nakagawa talk guided missile design and automatic control theory at the US Naval Academy In December 1972, the us conducted an aerial bombing campaign in North Vietnam known as operation linebacker two Gordon Ross. Nachtigal was part of the first night strike on December 20 During this action, his a six star burn engine was struck by a 23 millimeter shell Nakagawa ejected from his aircraft landing in a rice paddy. He was captured by civilians and marched to the nearest village. From there he was taken to the infamous Hanoi Hilton POW camp, Where he endured solitary confinement, interrogation and torture. There he remained from December 21 1972 to March 29 1973. Following his release, Nakagawa returned to duty as the captain of his squadron During the evacuation of Saigon. In April of 1975, Nakagawa flew as cover supporting the helicopters conducting the extraction. He later described the scene as being probably the saddest day in my 32 year naval career. Following his Vietnam service, Nakagawa went on to command Naval Air Station Point Mugu and later served as chair for tactical analysis at Naval postgraduate School, Monterey. After flying 185 combat missions, earning two legions of Merit, two bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, two meritorious Service medals and the POW Medal, Captain Gordon Ross Nakagawa retired in 1989. He passed away in August 2011.