F4E, the Phantom version equipped with an internal gun entered service just too late to participate in the early phase of the Vietnam War known as Operation Rolling Thunder. But it was very heavily involved in the fighting in 1972 during operations Linebecker I and II. It achieved a good number of aerial victories, including some with its M61 cannon but one achieved by Major Phil 'Hands' Handley of the 58th TFS was very special.

Main sources:
Peter E. Davies USAF F4 Phantom II MiG Killers 1972–73
https://amzn.to/4bz2ePp

Robert Frank Futrell Aces and Aerial Victories: The United States Air Force in Southeast Asia 1965 1973
https://amzn.to/4buklWK

Dong Sy Hung Combat in the Sky: Airpower and the Defense of North Vietnam, 19651973
https://amzn.to/44WQMdS

Istvan Toperczer MiG17/19 Aces of the Vietnam War
https://amzn.to/4awAee0

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