CTIC Frederick A. Randall
September 11, 1939 – April 15, 1969
On April 15, 1969 his US Navy VQ-1 EC-121M (callsign, “Deep Sea 129”) flew a routine reconnaissance mission over the Sea of Japan. At roughly 1350 local time, while approximately 90 NM off the North Korean coast southeast of Chongjin, the plane was shot down by 2 North Korean MiG-17 fighters. All 31 crewmen were reported missing. Frederick was presumed dead on May 2, 1969. His body was never recovered.
A native of Monponsett, Massachusetts, Frederick Arthur Randall was born on September 11, 1939 to Arthur W. Randall and Nellie M Randall. Frederick was married to the former Nancy Carroll Rosensteel and they lived at the New Grand Hotel in Yokohama, Japan. The couple met while Mrs. Randall was employed in Washington, D. C.
Chief Randall was a Russian linguist and Morse code operator. Retired Commander (then CTI2) Cody Hanna remembered him as a dedicated career man, married but with no children. (His wife heard of the shootdown via the American radio station in Japan (the Far East Network) before the notification team was able to contact her). Since the flight was essentially a bennie flight with a mission enroute, Chief Randall bumped CTI2 Hanna, who was originally scheduled to take the flight.
Frederick Randall was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Navy Good Conduct Medal and Navy Expeditionary Medal
Station HYPO 
11 September 2025 at 13:50
I had the honor and privilege of serving with Chief Randall for nearly two years while we both were stationed at NSGA Kami Seya. We flew many Beggar Shadow missions together with VQ-1 over the Sea of Japan and Big Look missions over the Gulf of Tonkin in support of Rolling Thunder. He was a superb Russian linguist, an excellent shipmate and a hard working and responsible Chief, respected and liked by all his colleagues. He, and the other thirty men from NSGA Kami Seya and VQ-1 who were lost that sad day in April 1969 were a big loss to their families and friends and to the Navy and our country. They were all consummate professionals who were dedicated to completing each mission perfectly. May Chief Randall rest in peace and be warmly remembered by his shipmates, friends and families.
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