Great images, Michael!
I can't read the tail number, but the yellow-black checkered fuselage stripe indicates 23rd Tactical Wing, which operated A-1Es and A-1Hs out of Bien Hoa, and which supported our battalion in Vinh Binh Province in 1966-67.
The kWe tail code for what looks like an A-1E would indicate an aircraft of the VNAF 518th Fighter Squadron (letter code k), if this painting by Co Vu is accurate:
VNAF: 2012 I get the impression that Co Vu (
VNAF) an artist who strives for accuracy, so I think it is likely that the painting is accurate.
If you can read the tail number on the original photo you took, I think we have a good chance to find out what happed to the aircraft.
Don