Five service members accounted for from Vietnam War now have statuses changed on The Wall
Beside each name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a symbol designating status. The diamond symbol denotes a service member’s death is confirmed. The cross represents a service member remains missing. When a service member’s remains are returned or accounted for, the diamond is superimposed over the cross.
In 2016, five service members were accounted for and status changes were made on The Wall on May 3, 2017.
2017 Status Changes include:
SFC Alan L Boyer Army SFC Boyer went missing on March 28, 1968 while on a covert mission in Laos. A small portion of his remains were found and identified in March 2016.
Navy LCDR Crosby was flying a RF-8A on a combat mission in North Vietnam on June 1, 1965. His aircraft was hit by enemy fire and crashed leading the Navy to classify him as KIA/BNR. His remains were recovered in late 2015 and identified in 2016.
Air Force COL Campbell was flying a combat mission over Laos on January 29, 1969 when hit by a ground-to-air missile. Personal items were found in Laos including his Texas A&M class ring and sidearm. His remains were recovered in 2014 and identified in 2016.
Air Force MAJ Klenda was flying a F-105 over North Vietnam on September 17, 1965. A small portion of his remains were recovered in 2013 and further excavation continued until he was fully identified in 2016.
Air Force COL Wood was flying a HH3E helicopter on a mission to recover another aviator on February 6, 1967 near the border of Laos and Cambodia. After rescuing the aviator, the helicopter was shot down killing Wood and the other crew and passengers. His remains were recovered in December 2015 and identified in 2016.
According to the National League of POW/MIA Families, the number of service members missing and otherwise unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War is 1,611.
I am a tour guide. Students often ask me: what happens if a service member who is MIA – and whose name is on the Wall – is later found alive? Has this happened? Was the name removed?
Hi Lori,
Excellent question! If a service member who was unaccounted for is found alive, a circle is put around the cross next to their name on The Wall. To date, no such instances have occurred.
More info can be found here: http://www.vvmf.org/vietnam-memorial-wall-design
-Latosha