4/5/2012 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Department of Defense Prisoners of War/Missing Personnel Office announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Allen J. Avery of Arlington, Mass., will be buried April 6 at Arlington National Cemetery.
On April 6, 1972, six airmen were flying a combat search and rescue mission in their HH-53C Super Jolly Green Giant helicopter over Quang Tri Province in South Vietnam when they were hit by enemy ground fire and crashed.
In 1988, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam turned over remains they attributed to an American serviceman; however, the name provided by the SRV did not match anyone lost or missing from the Vietnam War. The remains were held by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command pending improved technology to facilitate a later identification.
From 1989 to 1992, Joint U.S./SRV field investigations, led by JPAC, found evidence leading to an aircraft crash site as well as two reported burial sites. Team members recovered human remains and personal effects as well as aircraft debris. As a result, the crew was accounted-for in 1997 and buried as a group at Arlington National Cemetery. Three airmen were also individually identified at that time.
In the mid-2000s, JPAC's laboratory's improved scientific capability enabled them to match the 1988 remains to the correct loss. The Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory tested these remains against all servicemen who were MIA from the Vietnam War with negative results. Later, AFDIL expanded its search to make comparisons with previously-identified individuals. In 2010, as a result of mitochondrial DNA testing, the remains were matched with four of the six airmen from the 1972 crash, including Avery.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call 703-699-1169.
(Courtesy of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense Public Affairs.)
Comments
4/11/2012 1:32:58 PM ET Welcome home TSgt Avery I've worn TSgt Prater's name on my wrist since I was 12. I'm 33 now the candle is still lit.
GZ SSgt USAF, CONUS
4/6/2012 2:18:02 PM ET There are no words which can ever describe the heroic actions of this airman and many other airmen soldiers sailors and Marines who've given their lives in the service of this great country. I did not know TSgt Avery but I've known men like him -- our world is a better place bc of people like them. God Bless.
Bob D, DFAS
4/6/2012 3:17:06 AM ET Thursday 6 April 1972 Operation Freedom TrainIn Military Region I Quang Tri ProvinceHH-53C s.n. 68-10365 call sign Jolly Green 67 was performing a search-and-rescue mission for BAT 21B and Nail 38B near Cam Lo northwest of Quang Tri when their Sikorsky HH-53 helicopter was hit by enemy fire and crashed.KIA wereCapt Peter Chapman1st Lt John Call IIITSgt Roy PraterTSgt Allen Avery Sgt William PearsonSgt James AlleyThat Others May Live
Bob Laymon CMSgt Ret, Universal City TX 78148-3420
4/5/2012 11:40:46 PM ET Welcome home brotherand Thank youYou done us Proud
