ROLLINS, DAVID JOHN

Name: David John Rollins
Rank/Branch: O3/United States Navy
Unit: VF 114
Date of Birth: 04 May 1931
Home City of Record: Oakland CA
Date of Loss: 14 May 1967
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 194700 North 1055000 East
Status (in 1973): Returnee
Category:
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F4B

Other Personnel in Incident: Charles Southwick, returnee

Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following: raw
data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA
families, published sources, interviews.

REMARKS: 730304 RELEASED BY DRV

SOURCE: WE CAME HOME copyright 1977
Captain and Mrs. Frederic A Wyatt (USNR Ret), Barbara Powers Wyatt, Editor
P.O.W. Publications, 10250 Moorpark St., Toluca Lake, CA 91602
Text is reproduced as found in the original publication (including date and
spelling errors).
UPDATE - 09/95 by the P.O.W. NETWORK, Skidmore, MO

DAVID J. ROLLINS
Lieutenant Commander - United States Navy
Shot Down: May 14, 1967
Released: March 4, 1973

I was born on 4 May 1931 in Oakland, California. Attended school at Pioche,
Nevada, graduating from high school in 1948. I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in
July 1948 and have been on active duty since that time. I was commissioned
in January 1960 and was assigned to the introduction of the F4B Phantom II.
After completion of training as an F4 Radar Intercept Officer, I was
assigned to VF-114 at NAS Miramar. In September 1963 I was assigned to
VF-121 as an airborne flight instructor and projects officer for oncoming
weapons systems. I was reassigned to VF-114 in August 1966 and was shot down
in the Than Hoa Bridge flak suppression mission from the USS Kitty Hawk
(CVA-63) on 14 May 1967.

I was married to the former Connie Chadburn in December 1950 and am
presently residing in San Diego. We have three children, Patricia, 21,
attending Brigham Young University; Richard, class of '75 at the U.S. Naval
Academy; and, Gene, attending Mission Bay High School in San Diego.

My plans are to complete my education and possibly enter the teaching
profession after my retirement.

"I wish to thank the American People for the kind sentiments expressing
concern for us. My main source of strength while in prison was the knowledge
that my fellow Americans were praying for our safe return. I am pleased that
our President has allowed us to return with the dignity and honor we so
cherish."

December 1996
David Rollins retired from the United States Navy as a Commander. He and his
wife Connie reside in California.

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