Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 27, 1995 TAG: 9509270061
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press|
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
The Pentagon said the remains will be returned from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, to the mainland for burial.
Seven of the 18 were on board an Air Force AC-130A aircraft that was lost on an armed reconnaissance mission near Ban Tang Lou, Laos, on April 22, 1970. Their remains were recovered in a joint U.S.-Lao excavation in 1993.
The seven were identified as Col. Charlie B. Davis Jr. of Daysboro, Ky.; Col. Charles S. Rowley of Riverton, Conn.; Capt. John C. Towle of Harrisburg, Ill.; Chief Master Sgt. Robert N. Ireland of Theodosia, Mo.; Chief Master Sgt. Ronnie L. Hensley of Richwood, W.Va.; Senior Master Sgt. Donald M. Lint of Des Moines, Iowa; and Technical Sgt. Stephen W. Harris of Springfield, Mo.
Also among those whose remains were identified was Army Warrant Officer James D. Carter of Clarkston, Mich. He was the aircraft commander of a UH-1D helicopter that was lost over Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam, on June 13, 1968.
In excavating his remains, partial remains also were found of six others aboard Carter's helicopter who had been identified in 1968 based on an initial recovery.
The six were Army Lt. Col. Frank A. Barker Jr. of New Haven, Conn.; Army Capt. Earl R. Michles of Pocahontas, Ark.; Army 1st Lt. Michael L. Phillips of Washington, D.C.; Army Warrant Officer Jerry H. Johnson of Hampton, Va.; Army Specialist 4 Gary A. Milton of Hartley, Texas;, and Army Pfc. Allen R. Weamer of Tacoma, Wash.
In addition, the remains of Navy Lt. Cmdr. John F. Barr of Hope, Ark., were identified. His remains had been recovered and repatriated by Vietnam in 1988 and 1989 but just now have been identified.
The names of three other U.S. servicemen among the 18 being returned were withheld at the request of the families, the Pentagon said.
by CNB