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'Robert O. Goodman' was a former A-6 Intruder aviator who served as a Bombardier/Navigator. He was shot down over Lebanon in 1983. Captured upon ejection from his stricken plane, he was held for multiple days. His release was facilitated by Reverend Jesse Jackson.
Flying the strike, the crew from VA-85 was hit by a man portable missile (SA-7 or SA-9) into the engine nozzle upon dropping its bomb-load, while still in a dive through 1,800 feet (554 m) AGL. The fuselage and a wing were immediately engulfed in flames, and then the right side engine erupted.
US Navy Lieutenant Mark Lange, serving as pilot in command, tried to keep flying, and give them a chance to eject. After almost smashing the ground the Intruder was seen to pull up into the air-when it most likely stalled, resulting in a crash on a 1,000 AGL hill, above a village surrounded by Syrian AAA-positions. LT Lange ejected in the final moment, but his parachute failed to properly deploy by the time he hit the ground: his left leg was so severely injured, Lange died shortly after in the hands of several Syrian troops and Lebanese civilians. Goodman broke three ribs and injured the shoulder and a knee during the landing, but was otherwise OK. He was captured by the Syrians immediately afterwards, and taken to Damascus.

Contents

Captivity

White House Reception

Captivity

Goodman was held for over a month, at which time there were numerous attempts to have him freed. He had a few visitors, including Ambassador Robert Paganelli who brought him Christmas dinner.

White House Reception

U.S. President Ronald Reagan welcomed Lt. Goodman at the White House January 4, 1984, hours after he and Rev. Jackson arrived back in the U.S.
Reagan said that Lt. Goodman "exemplified qualities of leadership and loyalty" and said Jackson's "mission of mercy" had "earned our gratitude and our admiration." In turn, Jackson praised Reagan for sending a letter to Syrian President Assad calling for cooperation in bringing peace to Lebanon.