On September 25, 1966, Cushman was the pilot of the #2
F-105D in a flight of three that was conducting an afternoon combat mission to bomb a railroad bridge located on the northeast railroad line approximately north-northeast of
Kép Air Base and northeast of
Bac Giang,
Lang Son Province,
North Vietnam. Cushman's call sign was "Devil 2." The flight arrived in the target area on schedule and immediately checked in with the airborne battlefield command and control center (ABCCC). Devil Flight was directed to begin their bomb runs on the bridge. At 1530 hours, Devil Lead made his pass on the target followed in order by the rest of his flight. After pulling off the target, Cushman radioed that he had been hit by anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) fire and he had a fire warning light. Devil 3 asked if he could steer, Cushman replied he had "lost his stability, augmentation and aircraft power." Devil Lead observed 37 mm AAA fire bursting to the left and rear of Devil 2 (Cushman), and told Cushman to break right. Lead then saw his afterburner light and a simultaneous torch of flames coming from the right aft section of Devil 2 (Cushman)'s aircraft. Devil Lead then observed Cushman's aircraft break into several burning parts. He also saw Cushman's ejection seat arcing up and to the front of the falling wreckage. They could not find his body anywhere. Because of the rough landscape it was nearly impossible for anyone to gain radio control. Cushman was immediately listed Missing in Action, and this was later changed to the presumptive finding of death. On November 6, 1975, Cushman was officially declared dead. Surviving family members were spouse Carolyn Cushman and son Colin Cushman. ==Memorials==