The remains of two more US service members from the Vietnam War have been located, returned, and identified.
The remains of CPT James J. Johnstone and MAJ James L Whited, US Army, were recently recovered and returned to US control. The two had been missing and presumed dead since their OV-1A crashed during a daytime surveillance mission over Laos on 19 November 1966.
After the crash, the site was looted by locals. However, it was apparently the turn-in of CPT Johnstone’s American Express card to local Laotian authorities 40+ years after the crash that prompted a new investigation of the crash site. That investigation resulted in the recovery and positive identification of the crew’s remains.
CPT Johnstone will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery on 12 December 2012.
A belated welcome home, my elder brothers in arms.
And Godspeed to the families who must confront their deaths, again. Welcome Home.
Welcome home!
Welcome home!