S/L Andy MacKenzie was the only RCAF pilot shot down in Korea. He was a seasoned fighter pilot with 8 1/2 wartime kills while flying Spitfires. Post-war he had assumed command of 441 Squadron, operating from St. Huberts and North Luffenham. He went to Korea in late 1952 and began ops with the 39th FIS/51st FIW at Suwon. Interestingly, the F-86F's of the 39th carried a checkerboard paint scheme on the tail similar to that of MacKenzie's own 441 Squadron.
On December 5th, 1952, MacKenzie was on a mission (his fifth) flying No. 2 to Major Jack Saunders. Near the Yalu, a swarm of MiGs was spotted. The MiGs attacked, and MacKenzie and Saunders became separated. In the ensuing melee, MacKenzie's Sabre was shot to pieces, apparetnly by one of his squadron mates. There was nothing to do but eject, and within minutes MacKenzie had been captured. He was to remain a Chinese POW for two years, mostly spent in solitary confinement.
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Updated: August 11, 2003
