Ablaze with its single engine disintagrating rapidly, the A-1 Skyraider carried its pilot, 1st Lt. William "Joe" Seitz, several miles away from enemy guns to the vicinity of waiting rescue crews before crashing into the South China Sea. "Jello Liver" received its name when one of its pilots heard the hit song title, "Yellow River" mispronounced by performers in the officer's club.
The A-l's are flown in support of SAR operations in SEA by the 1st SOS of the 56th Special Operations Wing. Seitz was supporting the rescue of a downed airman in Vietnam when the engine of his
World War II-vintage, prop
fighter was hit by an enemy missile. "Jello Liver" shook violently from side to side, and the front of the plane seemed to explode. Sheets of flame poured from the engine over the top and right side of the canopy, while pieces of the engine and cowling shot past the pilot's head, but the engine continued to run.
Turning the Skyraider toward the sea more than 10 miles away, Seitz shut down hydraulic pressure and jettisoned his ordnance and external fuel tanks in hopes of controlling the fire, but it raged on. Approaching the shoreline, still over enemy territory, the pilot reduced power, attempting to prolong the engine's life. But the engine quit and the burning airplane started down. Seitz pushed the throttle forward again, and "Jello Liver" recovered immediately. However, a light on the instrument panel warned that the engine was destroying itself internally.
The sun was setting, illuminating the cloud-speckled evening sky, as the plane struggled out to sea. The pilot could see several U.S. Navy ships change course, with thick smoke pouring from their stacks as they steamed toward him. By this time he was being escorted by several U.S. Air Force and Army aircraft.
It was getting quite warm in the cockpit, when "Jello Liver's" engine finally gave up and stopped. Seitz could hear the fire crackling as he prepared to eject. He pulled the ejection handle and an instant later, he was hanging in his chute with an OV-10 Bronco and an Army helicopter circling close by. Looking down he could see a Navy cruiser about a half mile away, moving toward him.
As he hung there the lieutenant watched "Jello Liver" bank right trailing smoke and flame, hit the water, and slip silently beneath the surface. As soon as the pilot splashed down and released the chute canopy, an Army helicopter swooped in, threw him a "rope" and hoisted him safely aboard.