1972: Twelve USAF F-4 Phantom fighters (8th TFW) used Paveway I laser-guided “smart” bombs to knock down segments of the Thanh Hoa Bridge. Prior to this attack, hundreds of conventional missions had caused only minor damage to the bridge. Eight carried the laser-guided bombs. When the dust of the explosions cleared it was apparent that the bridge had been dislodged from its western abutment, dropping one half into the river. (USAF Image)
