In the long, complicated history of the Vietnam War, there are thousands of stories that range from tragic to bizarre but few are quite as head-scratching (or hilarious) as the day the USS Midway dropped a toilet on Vietnam. Yes, you read that right. In 1965, a literal porcelain toilet was air-dropped from a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier as part of a highly unusual (but intentional) mission. And no, it wasn’t a mistake.

Let’s dive into this strange but true wartime anecdote that proves military life isn’t always just grit and grimness sometimes, it includes a dash of dark humor too.

The USS Midway and the Skyraider Crew

The USS Midway, one of the most famous American aircraft carriers in history, had a reputation for being both fierce and innovative. Commissioned in 1945 and serving all the way through Desert Storm in the 1990s, the Midway was a floating fortress that played a key role in multiple conflicts, including Vietnam.

During the early stages of the Vietnam War, the Midway was loaded with aircraft, ammunition, and one very important crew: the pilots of the Douglas A-1 Skyraiders. These were single-engine propeller aircraft used for close air support and ground attacks and they were known for taking a beating and still flying back home.

But in the spring of 1965, one of these Skyraider crews had something… a little different in mind.

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04 NOV 1965 – VA-25’s Toilet Bomb Video #1

A Flying Toilet as a Goodbye Gift

According to records and retellings by veterans, a beloved pilot was finishing his final mission before rotating out. As a sendoff and likely as a form of lighthearted protest against bureaucracy or tradition the squadron decided to do something symbolic and unforgettable.

They mounted a toilet (yes, a standard-issue Navy porcelain toilet) to the wing of an A-1 Skyraider, using proper bomb shackles and even tagging it with military-style stenciling to make it look “official.” The crew ensured it was secure, wired to release, and prepared it as if it were a regular weapon.

And then, during a real mission over Vietnam, the Skyraider took off with its very unusual payload. Somewhere over enemy territory, that toilet was released from 10,000 feet becoming what is probably the first and only toilet ever air-dropped in a combat zone.

A Symbol of Humor in a Dark Time

While the idea of dropping a toilet may sound ridiculous or even disrespectful to some, military humor has long served as a vital coping mechanism for service members under extreme stress. In fact, the absurdity of the act was precisely the point.

War can dehumanize. It can grind people down with its repetition, danger, and senseless loss. Sometimes, injecting a moment of silliness or rebellion is how people stay sane. For that Skyraider crew, the toilet drop wasn’t just a prank it was a statement. It said: “We’re still human. We can still laugh.”

The Toilet Drop Was Documented and Preserved

What makes this story even better? There’s photographic evidence. The USS Midway Museum, which now resides in San Diego as a permanent exhibit, has proudly shared images of the aircraft fitted with the toilet bomb. The stenciled writing on the toilet included a message: “Commendation for Meritorious Service.” It was tongue-in-cheek, irreverent, and 100% real.

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When Soldiers In Vietnam Found An Old Toilet, They Transformed It Into An Insane Weapon Of War

Veterans and historians alike have embraced the moment as a piece of living history an example of military culture that’s rarely shown in textbooks or documentaries. It reminds us that behind every uniform is a person, and sometimes, that person has a wicked sense of humor.

Legacy of the Skyraider Toilet Drop

Today, the story has taken on a life of its own. Visitors to the USS Midway Museum often ask about it, and it continues to be one of the most memorable tales from the ship’s decades of service. It’s not just a gag it’s a tribute to the camaraderie, creativity, and resilience of those who served.

More than anything, the toilet drop represents how service members find moments of levity even in the darkest times. It’s a reminder that war is not only about politics and strategy it’s about people, and the strange, beautiful, sometimes absurd ways they hold onto their humanity.

Final Thoughts

So yes, the United States military once dropped a toilet on Vietnam. No, it wasn’t an accident. It was a carefully planned, intentionally hilarious mission that doubled as a farewell salute, a protest, and a joke all rolled into one.

And honestly? It might just be one of the most unforgettable bombs ever dropped in history.