6/21/2012 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced June 20 that the remains of a service member, missing in action since the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Capt. Clyde W. Campbell, of Longview, Texas, will be buried June 21 at Arlington National Cemetery here.
On March 1, 1969, Campbell was a pilot aboard an A-1J Skyraider that crashed while carrying out a close air support mission in Houaphan province, Laos. American forward air controllers directing the mission in the area reported hearing an explosion that they believed to be Campbell's bombs, but later learned Campbell's aircraft had crashed. No parachutes were seen in the area.
In 1997, a joint team of U.S. and Lao People's Democratic Republic officials investigated a crash site in Houaphan province within 330 feet of the last known location of Campbell. In addition to human remains, the team located aircraft wreckage and military equipment, which correlated with Campbell's aircraft.
From 2009 to 2010, additional joint U.S.-L.P.D.R. recovery teams investigated and excavated the crash site three times. The teams recovered additional human remains, military equipment -- including an aircraft data plate -- and a .38-caliber pistol matching the serial number issued to Campbell.
Scientists from the JPAC used circumstantial evidence and forensic identification tools in the identification of Campbell.
For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo.
(Courtesy of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense Public Affairs.)
Comments
6/22/2012 3:35:50 PM ET Another of America's sons has come home rest in easy peace Captain Campbell. I hope this brings a measure of comfort to the family of this Warrior.
