Two U.S. Navy jets flying low-altitude target reconnaissance missions over Laos are shot down by communist Pathet Lao ground fire. Washington immediately ordered armed jets to escort the reconnaissance flights, and by June 9, escort jets were attacking Pathet Lao headquarters. The downing of the two reconnaissance aircraft and the retaliatory strikes were made public, but the full extent of the U.S. involvement in Laos was not. In fact, the U.S. fighter-bombers were flying combat missions in support of Royal Lao forces in their war against the communist Pathet Lao and would continue to do so until 1973.
Also on This Day
- Lead Story
- D-Day, 1944
- American Revolution
- New York Patriot Marinus Willet seizes British weapons, 1775
- Automotive
- First drive-in movie theater opens, 1933
- Civil War
- Union claims Memphis in naval battle, 1862
- Cold War
- Vance affirms Carter's interest in human rights, 1977
- Crime
- A teenaged mother gives birth and murders her baby at the prom, 1997
- Disaster
- Train avoids cow, but kills 600, 1981
- General Interest
- The Ashmolean opens, 1683
- President Jackson rides the Iron Horse, 1833
- James Meredith shot, 1966
- Indian army storms Golden Temple, 1984
- Hollywood
- Sex and the City premieres on HBO, 1998
- Literary
- George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-four is published, 1949
- Music
- The Ed Sullivan Show airs for the very last time, 1971
- Old West
- William Quantrill killed by Union soldiers, 1865
- Presidential
- General Dwight D. Eisenhower launches Operation Overlord, 1944
- Sports
- Eddie Murray sets career RBI record for a switch hitter, 1992
- Vietnam War
- U.S. reconnaissance jets shot down over Laos, 1964
- South Vietnamese forces clear Kontum of communist troops, 1972
- World War I
- Battle of Belleau Wood begins, 1918
- World War II
- Allies invade France, 1944
Jun 6, 1964:
U.S. reconnaissance jets shot down over Laos
Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!
This Week in History, Jun 6 - Jun 12
- Jun 06, 1964
- U.S. reconnaissance jets shot down over Laos
- Jun 06, 1972
- South Vietnamese forces clear Kontum of communist troops
- Jun 07, 1965
- Westmoreland requests 44 battalions
- Jun 07, 1972
- McGovern continues to campaign against the war
- Jun 08, 1965
- U.S. forces are available for ground support
- Jun 08, 1969
- Nixon and Thieu meet at Midway
- Jun 09, 1964
- CIA report challenges "domino theory"
- Jun 09, 1972
- South Vietnamese soldiers reach An Loc
- Jun 10, 1965
- Battle begins at Dong Xoai
- Jun 10, 1968
- Westmoreland gives farewell press conference in Saigon
- Jun 11, 1963
- Buddhist immolates himself in protest
- Jun 11, 1970
- Battle for control of Kompong Speu in Cambodia
- Jun 12, 1965
- South Vietnamese premier resigns
- Jun 12, 1972
- Lavelle testifies before Congress
Related Topics
What Happened on Your Birthday?
Pick a DateEditor’s Picks
-
Ultimate History Quiz
Play solo or challenge your friends.
-
Grand Canyon
Get the facts on this geological wonder of the world.
-
Civil War 150
Explore the people, events and technology that shaped America's bloodiest conflict.
-
History Lists: Ridiculous Wars
Discover six of history's most preposterous conflicts.
Bio.com
-
On This Day
Read about notable birthdays and celebrity deaths at On This Day.
Shop HISTORY
-
Vietnam in HD DVD Set
Their story is in danger of being lost to history. This six-hour miniseries spans the massive initial troop build-up in 1965 to the fall of Saigon a decade later.
$24.95
Buy Now -
Battle 360: The Bloody Battle of Guadalcanal DVD
Own this chronicle of the epic showdown with Japanese forces at Guadalcanal, one of the most critical battles in WWII.
$11.99
Buy Now -
WWII in HD DVD Set
The only people to see the war like this were the ones who lived it. Until now…
