Birth 01MAR45 Rank 2LT Date of Death 02DEC69 P. of birth Stockton CA Service Army (Reserve) Place Phuoc Long, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit 1st Cav Div, B Co, 1st Bn, 8th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown Magnolia (Seattle) service # 532446403 Panel 15WEST - 18 married Single Link ranger25 Medals Congressional Medal of Honor Tour Date 24SEP69 Comment   Cemetery     Queen Anne High School, Seattle WA

Class of '63 Honors Fallen Warriors The Vietnam War affected Queen Anne grads of every generation. It cost lives in many classes in the '60s and early '70s. The Queen Anne Class of '63 last year chose to honor their fallen classmates by arranging for a grouping of commemorative tiles at the Leisy Army Reserve Center at Fort Lawton. The Leisy Center is named after 1963 grad, Robert R. Leisy, a Magnolia native who died in Vietnam and subsequently was awarded the Medal of Honor. During their preparations for the 35th anniversary reunion of their class, Rick Malsed proposed that the class recognize Bob Leisy and the three other classmates who fell in the war. The tiles were enthusiastically supported by the class and honor Gary Eddy, Rolf Jorgenson and John Stewart, along with Leisy. In a ceremony last September, attended by classmates and military representatives, the tiles were unveiled and can be seen daily in the lobby. Malsed noted that, curiously enough, all four deceased grew up on Magnolia. (Feb. 1999 Kuay, a publication of Queen Anne High School, Seattle WA)

(Remembrance for Classmate Bob Leisy, as you have probably learned by now, was not only a QA grad who died in Vietnam but also won the Medal of Honor (one of only two QA grads ever to do so, I believe). He died in 1969, taking a grenade intended for his squad but enabling them to withdraw. The Reserve Center at Ft. Lawton is named for him and there are tiles in the center provided by the Class of '63 to recognize their classmates. Entrance to the Leisy Center is more difficult these days because of the increased security.
(personal knowledge from John Hennes, Queen Anne Alumni Assoc. who also sent the Kuay information)

Rites Pending for 2nd Lt. Robert R. Leisy
    Funeral services for 2nd Lt. Robert R. Leisy, 24, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur A. Leisy, 3320 37th Ave. W., are being arranged through the Wiggen & Sons Mortuary.
    Lieutenant Leisy was killed in Vietnam last Tuesday.
    Lieutenant Leisy was born in Stockton CA. He was graduated from Briarcliff Elementary School, Blaine Junior High, Queen Anne High School and the University of Washington. He served in the Marine Reserves before going to the university and joining the Army.
    Survivors besides his parents include a half brother, Donald Ressier of Seattle, and a half sister, Betty Strand, Stockton CA. (Times, Seattle WA, 9 Dec 1969)

Citation - MEDAL OF HONOR
LEISY, ROBERT RONALD Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Infantry, Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. place and date: Phuoc Long province, Republic of Vietnam, 2 December 1969. Entered service at: Seattle, Wash. Born: 1 March 1945, Stockton, Calif. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 2d Lt. Leisy, Infantry, Company B, distinguished himself while serving as platoon leader during a reconnaissance mission. One of his patrols became heavily engaged by fire from a numerically superior enemy force located in a well-entrenched bunker complex. As 2d Lt. Leisy deployed the remainder of his platoon to rescue the beleaguered patrol, the platoon also came under intense enemy fire from the front and both flanks. In complete disregard for his safety, 2d Lt. Leisy moved from position to position deploying his men to effectively engage the enemy. Accompanied by his radio operator he moved to the front and spotted an enemy sniper in a tree in the act of firing a rocket-propelled grenade at them. Realizing there was neither time to escape the grenade nor shout a warning, 2d Lt. Leisy unhesitatingly, and with full knowledge of the consequences, shielded the radio operator with his body and absorbed the full impact of the explosion. This valorous act saved the life of the radio operator and protected other men of his platoon who were nearby from serious injury. Despite his mortal wounds, 2d Lt. Leisy calmly and confidently continued to direct the platoon's fire. When medical aid arrived, 2d Lt. Leisy valiantly refused attention until the other seriously wounded were treated. His display of extraordinary courage and exemplary devotion to duty provided the inspiration and leadership that enabled his platoon to successfully withdraw without further casualties. 2d Lt. Leisy's gallantry at the cost of his life are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army. (U.S. Army Center of Military History )
Photo provided by Home of Heroes

Catherine Blaine Jr. High Memorial

Wayne Marshall ANDERSON

Birth 07DEC48 Rank SSGT Date of Death 03DEC69 P. of birth   Service Army Place Laos Town of Record Pullman Unit Special Forces, SOA CCS 5th SF Grp Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 536485116 Panel 15WEST - 23 married Single Link Special Forces Medals   Tour Date 26MAR69 Comment   Cemetery   Pullman High School, Pullman WA, Sophomore - yearbook 1965

Edward Rowe SMILEY Jr.

Birth 08JAN50 Rank SP4 Date of Death 04DEC69 P. of birth   Service Army Place Cambodia Town of Record Kent Unit 1st Avn Bde, 195th Avn Co, 222nd Avn Bn, 12th Avn Grp Death Code Hostile Died; Helicopter - Crew; Air Loss Crash - Land Hometown   service # 158406815 Panel 15WEST - 25   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 19JAN69 Comment   Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery

Edward Smiley, Jr., Killed in Vietnam War Edward Smiley, Jr., of 29302 21st Place S., Federal Way, has been killed in combat in Vietnam. Smiley, 19, was a member of the Army's 195th Assault Helicopter Company. His father, Chief Yeoman Edward R. Smiley, was notified while returning to Seattle aboard the Coast Guard icebreaker Staten Island from the Arctic by way of the Panama Canal. Smiley was taken off the ship at Crescent City Ca. The ship reached hear yesterday. In addition to his parents, the soldier is survived by three sisters, Marta, Maureen and Melissa, all at home. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. (Times, Seattle WA, 5 Aug 1966)

Richard Martin THOMPSON

Birth 25MAY49 Rank Cpl - Medic Date of Death 6DEC69 P. of birth Mankato MN Service Army Place Quang Tin S. Vietnam Town of Record Fallbrook CA Unit HHC, Co D, 1/46th, 198th LIB Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service #   Panel 15WEST - 34   married Single Local Seattle Medals Silver Star Tour Date 1NOV69 Comment Olympia Memorial Wall Cemetery

Pfc. Richard M. Thompson Victim in Asia
    Army Pfc. Richard M. Thompson, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac R. Thompson, 16422 Eighth Ave. S.W. was killed in action in Vietnam Saturday.
    Yarington's White Center Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Born in Mankato MN, Private Thompson came here in 1960. He graduated from Highline High School in 1967. He was a member of the Highline Club, a dramatic-musical group. He worked at the Burien General Hospital, the King County Medical Center and the South Haven Nursing Home before entering the Army 18 months ago. He had been in Vietnam five weeks. He was a medical corpsman.
    Surviving besides his parents are two sisters, Susan R. and Nancy L. Thompson, and two brothers, David B. and Daniel Thompson, all at home, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac W. Thompson, Fallbrook CA. (Times, Seattle WA, 15 Dec 1969)

Parents of Seattle soldier to accept Silver Star here
      The Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart earned in Vietnam by Sp4 Richard Thompson, Seattle will be presented to his parents here Tuesday.
      Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Thompson, 16422 8th Ave SW, will accept the decorations bestowed posthumously upon their son. Sp4 Thompson was killed 6 Sep 1969.
      Col. John R. Dart, post engineer, will present the medals in ceremonies set for 2 p.m. at the flagpole in front of post headquarters. (The Ranger, Fort Lewis WA, 12 Jun 1970)

Dale Alan MAC ARTHUR

Birth 16JAN47 Rank SGT Date of Death 08DEC69 P. of birth Ellensburg Service Air Force Place Ninh Thuen, S. Vietnam Town of Record Sunnyside Unit 821ST SEP SQ Death Code Non-Hostile Died Illness/Injury; Ground Casualty; Vehicle Loss-Crash Hometown   service # 533462938  Panel 15WEST - 39   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 01SEP69 Comment   Cemetery IOOF Cemetery, Sunnyside WA Sunnyside High School, 1964, Sunnyside WA

Vietnam claims local soldier
    Sergeant Dale Alan MacArthur, 22, of 127 McLain Dr., Sunnyside, suffered an apparent heart attack 8 Dec (1969) while driving a jeep on patrol duty in South Vietnam at the Phan Rang Air Base.
    Sgt. MacArthur was born in Ellensburg. When he was six years old, he with his parents and family moved to Othello where he received his elementary education. In 1956 the MacArthur family moved to Sunnyside, where he attended and was graduated from Sunnyside High School with the class of 1965. While attending Y.V.C. he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and having spent one year in Alaska, he was serving his second tour of duty in Vietnam. Having volunteered for special duty, he had been assigned to the Air Force Rangers, as a member of the 821st Special Combat Police Squadron, known as the Blue Berets.
    Sgt. MacArthur is survived by his father, Donald E. MacArthur of Sunnyside; his mother, Mrs. Dorothy MacArthur of Tacoma and one brother, Douglas of Sunnyside. A brother, Darrel MacArthur, died in 1950.
    He was a member of the First Christian Church of Sunnyside.
    Sgt. MacArthur arrived in the Yakima Airport under military escort of Sgt. Richard D. Burke of Sunnyside at 11 p.m. Monday, 15 Dec (1969).
    Funeral services for Sgt. MacArthur were held at 10 a.m. Thursday, 18 Dec (1969) at the chapel of the Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. LeRoy Ishmael and the Rev. Donald Fitzimmons of the First christian church officiating. Sacred selections "The Lords Prayer" and "How Great Thou Art" were sung by Kenneth Lester accompanied by Mrs. DeEtta Anerson.
    Casket bearers were Sgt. Richard Burke, John Neil, Gary Simmons, Lyn Rogers, Martin Copenhaver and Jake Van Pelt. Burial was in the I.O.O.F. Funeral Home of Sunnyside. (The Sunnside Sun, Sunnyside, Thursday, 1 Jan 1970)

Herman Dale BUCHANAN

Birth 22MAR49 Rank CPL Date of Death 11DEC69 P. of birth Pittsburg TX Service Army (Draft) Place Quang Ngai, S. Vietnam Town of Record Pittsburg TX Unit 198th LIB, B Co, 1st Bn, 6th Infantry Death Code Hostile, Died of Wounds, Ground Casualty; other explosive Device Hometown   service # 459807004 Panel 15WEST - 46 Married Married Local Seattle Medals   Tour Date 02SEP69 Comment   Cemetery Pittsburg TX

Pfc. Herman D. Buchanan Rites in Texas Army Pfc. Herman D. Buchanan, 20, was killed in action in Vietnam Thursday. Funeral services will be in his native Pittsburg TX. He graduated from high school in Pittsburg and came here a year ago. He worked for The Boeing Co. before entering the Army in March. He had been in Vietnam four months. Surviving are his wife, Roxanna, 2530 S. Americus St.; his mother, Mrs. Ruby Hurrington, Pittsburg, and two brothers and two sisters. (Seattle Times, Seattle WA, 16 Dec 1969)

G.I. In Vietnam Wanted a Son, He Won, But He Doesn't Know
by Don Hannula
    Herman Dale Buchanan, 20, wanted a son.
    This was the hope expressed in his last letter from Vietnam to his wife, who was expecting her first child.
    His wife, Roxanne, 16, gave birth to a boy in Virginia Mason Hospital yesterday. She named the boy Herman Dale Buchanan after is father.
    The birth came seven days too late for Buchanan to learn that his hope had been fulfilled. The Army private first class was killed in action in Vietnam last Thursday. He had been in Vietnam four months. His wife was notified of his death Friday. The baby is doing well, but the shock of her husband's death has kept Mrs. Buchanan in the hospital, where she is expected to remain until the first of next week.
    Her doctor has advised her against traveling to her husband's native Pittsburg TX for funeral services next week. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor B. Johnson, with whom she has been living at 2530 S. Americus St. will attend the funeral.
    Mrs. Buchanan hopes to take her son to Texas later to show Buchanan's mother and grandmother.
    Buchanan met his wife here while working for The Boeing Co. before entering the Army in March.
    "He was very concerned about the baby in his last letter," Mrs. Johnson said. "He said he wanted a boy. We're glad he got his wish." (Seattle Times, Seattle WA, 18 Dec 1969)

Bruce Gordon GUSTAFSON

Birth 09JUL45 Rank PFC Date of Death 13DEC69 P. of birth   Service Army Place Binh Long, S. Vietnam Town of Record Bellevue Unit 1st Inf Div, D Co, 1st Bn, 28th Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 537426352 Panel 15WEST - 53   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 29AUG69 Comment   Cemetery

Rites Monday for Pfc. Bruce C. Gustafson
    Army Pfc. Bruce C. Gustafson, 24, Bellevue, state bicycle-track champion in 1966, was killed in action Saturday in Vietnam.
    The son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Gustafson, 10449 S. E. 22nd St., Private Gustafson was assigned to Vietnam last August. He was serving as a patrol scout when he died in an ambush action north of Saigon.
    Memorial services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Grace Lutheran Church, Bellevue. Funeral services and burial will e announced later.
    A 1968 graduate of the University of Washington School of Architecture, Private Gustafson entered the Army in November last year. He was a 1963 graduate of Bellevue High School.
    Representing the Wheelsports Cycling Team of Bellevue in 1966. Private Gustafson won the 4,000-meter unpaced pursuit and the 1,000-meter match sprint.
    Surviving in addition to his parents is a sister, Mrs. Janice Brandal of Evanston IL (Times, Seattle WA, 18 Dec 1969)

Billy Bob LEYERLE

Birth 15JAN49 Rank PFC Date of Death 15DEC69 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Hua Nghia, S. Vietnam Town of Record Long View Unit 25th Inf Div, C Co, 1st Bn, 5th Inf Death Code Non-Hostile; Ground Casualty; Accidental Homicide Hometown   service # 535501332 Panel 15WEST - 59   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 24JUL69 Comment   Cemetery

Clyde Robert CARRICO

Birth 15AUG48 Rank SGT Date of Death 19DEC69 P. of birth Watsonville CA Service Army Place Binh Long S. Vietnam Town of Record Orofino ID Unit 1st Inf Div Death Code Non-Hostile; Ground Casualty; Accidental Self-Destruction Local Seattle service # 509529299 Panel 15WEST - 71 Married single Memorial Washington State Vietnam War Memorial, Olympia WA Medals   Tour Date 04FEB69 Comment   Cemetery

Mine Kills Clyde Carrico In Vietnam Army Sgt. Clyde R. Carrico, 21, of 15858 27th Ave. N.E., was killed in Vietnam Friday when a mine he was helping to set exploded. Funeral services are pending. Born in Watsonville CA, Sergeant Carrico attended Orofino High School in Orofino ID. He had worked in a lumber company in Orofino before entering the Army in January. He had been in Vietnam about nine months. Surviving are his mother, Mrs. Dolores Carrico, his father, Clyde L. Carrico, and a sister, Donna Carrico, all of Seattle. (Times, Seattle WA, Tuesday, 23 Dec 1969)

David Lee SMITH

Birth 12MAR50 Rank LCPL Date of Death 20DEC69 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Nam S. Vietnam Town of Record Enterprise OR Unit 2nd Bn, 1st Mar Death Code Hostile, died of wounds; ground casualty; gun, small arms fire Hometown   service # 539521062   Panel 15WEST - 74  married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 12JAN69 Comment Silverdale   Cemetery

David Raymond BRUCE

Birth 25JAN48 Rank LCPL Date of Death 21DEC69 P. of birth Dayton Service Marines Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Pasco Unit E CO, 2ND BN, 5TH MARINES, 1ST MARDIV Death Code Hostile, Died Wounds; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 534441044 Panel 15WEST - 76   married Single Link Virtual Wall Wounded 30NOV69 Tour Date 15FEB69 Comment   Cemetery

Wounds Fatal To Tri-Citian. David R. Bruce, 21 year old Marine lance corporal from Pasco, died Saturday in Japan from gunshot wounds received in Vietnam. Bruce, a football halfback and linebacker for Pasco High School where he graduated in 1966 had been wounded in the chest and stomach from small arms fire 30 Nov (1969) in northern South Vietnam, where he was a foot soldier. He died at a naval hospital in Yoosuka, Japan. His parents were informed when they called the hospital Saturday night. Bruce received all-conference honorable mention as a halfback for Pasco High in 1966, when he gained 450 yards and was remembered by Coach Bill Till as a "really fine young gentleman" who improved each year. He also was a varsity wrestler and a member of the Key Club and Letterman's Club. He attended Columbian Basin College for 1 and a half years where he played football for a year before enlisting in the Marines on 23 May 1968.He went to Vietnam 18 Feb as a member of the D Company Second Battalion, Fifth Division. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond J. Bruce, Pasco, a son Darin Michael,10 months, Pasco, three brothers, Donald Gene, Ronald Edward, and Timothy Howard and a sister, Mrs. Tom [Martha) Egan, all of Pasco; his paternal grandmother, Mrs. D.R. Bruce, Dayton, maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Bruckner, Castle Rock. The Bruce family moved to the Tri-Cities in 1951 from Dayton, where David was born 25 Jan,1948.He is the 29th Tri-City area man was killed in the Vietnam war. Greenlee Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements. (Tri-City Herald, Pasco, Kennewick, Richand WA, 23 Dec 1969)

Christopher James "Kippy"GRAY

Birth 27OCT49 Rank SSG Date of Death 21DEC69 P. of birth   Service Army Place Tay Ninh, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit 1st Cav Div, Trp A, 1st Sqd, 9th Cav Death Code Hostile, Air Loss, Crash on land, Helicopter - Crew Hometown   service # 536523057 Panel 15WEST - 78   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 02SEP68 Comment Book - "Acceptable Loss" by Kregg Jorgenson Cemetery Fort Lawton Cemetery Queen Anne High School, 1965, Seattle WA

Rites Planned for Specialist C. J. Gray
    Funeral services for specialist 5 Christopher James Gray will be at 1 P.m. 5omorrow in Magnolia Congregational Church, with burial in Fort Lawton Cemetery.
    Specialist Gray, 20, was killed in action in Vietnam 21 Dec (1969) when the helicopter in which he was riding was kit by enemy ground fire. The craft crashed and burned, killing the crew.
    Specialist Gray enlisted in the Army after graduation from Queen Anne High School in 1967. He was sent to Vietnam in September, 1968, and volunteered last September for an additional six months of combat duty.
    Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne P. Gray; three brothers, Gary H., Cecil V. and Warren W. Gray, all of Seattle; a twin sister, Mrs. Christine L. Abbott, with the Navy in San Diego, and another sister, Mary Ann Gray, Seattle.
    The family suggested that remembrances be blood donations credited to patients at the Veterans Administration Hospital or contributions to the Shrine Burn Hospital, in care of Nile Temple, Seattle. (The Times, Seattle WA, 30 Dec 1969)

Donnie BIARUM

Birth 31AUG43 Rank SP4 Date of Death 26DEC69 P. of birth   Service Army Place S. Vietnam Town of Record Enumclaw Unit A Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Death Code Hostile Died Wounds; Ground Casualty; Other Causes Hometown   service # 537429586 Panel 24WEST - 65   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date   Comment   Cemetery

researcher comments
    One of the biggest problems with searching for a serviceman's unit info is the guys who were wounded and then died at a later date in a hospital in Japan, aboard ship, the Phillippines or the states.
    Donnie Biarum is a good example of this difficulty. According to Bruce Swander: "He was wounded in some type of an accident on 5/19/69, (somewhere) in VN. Eventually, he was sent back to the States, and died (somewhere) on 12/26/69. The paperwork fell apart, and no one realized that his wounds (or possibly illness) was from his tour in Nam....and when the Wall went up in 1982 his name was left off. This was corrected in 1987 when he was added to the Wall.
    That gives us two problems: First is actual date of death, and where. VVMF lists it as 5/19/69, while other Army databases list it as 12/26/69. The second is the Unit he was with while over there. While we found a document listing his name, this Unit was nowhere near where the Army said he sustained his wounds." Ken Davis of The Virtual Wall.org reports: "His (Bairum's) unit was A Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry - that's drawn from a grave marker application, and the 11th ACR people have a 1968 roster which includes him. It appears likely he was wounded on 19 May 1969 in one of the provinces northwest of Saigon - but 1/11 Cav operated in three different provinces during May 69, and no casualties occurred on 19 May 69."
    Because of the delay in Biarum's death it is a real possiblity that members of his Company didn't even know he died.
    It is my job as a researcher to find an obituary for him or a family member or a service companion.
researchers, Bruce Swander, Ken Davis, Darilee Bednar (email exchanges May 2004)

William Herman RUFF

Birth 22JUL49 Rank SGT Date of Death 26DEC69 P. of birth Tacoma Service Army Place Vinh Binh, S. Vietnam Town of Record Tacoma Unit 20th Eng Bde, C Co, 36th Eng Bn, 34th Eng Grp Death Code Non-Hostile Died Other; Ground Casualty Hometown   service # 538444188 Panel 15WEST - 96   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 13JUL69 Comment   Cemetery

Tacoma Soldier Dies in Vietnam Army Sgt. William H. Ruff, 20, of 8230 Custer Road SW., died Friday in Vietnam his parents have been notified. Sgt. Ruff was born in Tacoma and lived here all his life before entering the Army. After graduating from Hudtloff Jr High School and Clover Park High School, he attend Clover Park Vocational School. After graduation, he became a carpenter for Freigang Construction Co. He was a member of Lakewood Methodist Church. Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Ruff; a brother, Robert E., of Seattle; a sister, Suzann E., of the home; and grandparents, O. H. Ruff, of Tacoma. Mr. and Mrs. Herman Lemmen of Alandale MI and Mrs. George Closser, of Tacoma. Services will be announced by Mountain View Funeral Home. (Tacoma News Tribune, Tacoma WA, 1 Jan 1970)

Douglas David FERGUSON

Birth 26APR45 Rank CAPT Date of Event 30DEC69 P. of birth   Service Air Force Place Laos Town of Record Tacoma Unit 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn AB, Thailand Death Code Hostile Died Missing; Fixed Wing - Crew; Air loss Crash - Land Hometown   service # 533461052 Panel 15WEST - 110   married Married MIA - BNR Medals   Tour Date ... Comment Graduated 1967 from U.S. Airforce Academy Cemetery USAFA . USAF Academy, CO

(MIA Records extracted from the POWNETWORK.org) Douglas David Ferguson was born 26 Apr 1945 and was a member of the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron stationed at Udorn AB, Thailand. On 30 Dec 1969, Doug Ferguson was crew for Fielding Featherston III aboard a F4D aircraft. One of 5 aircraft they were on a mission over the Plaine des Jarres region of Laos. Their aircraft was hit by enemy fire and exploded in a fireball. There were no parachutes seen nor emergency radio beeper signals heard by the accompaning aircraft. The following day the crash site was photographed and two empty parachutes were visible hanging in nearby trees. The area was heavily defended and no ground search was possible. No Americans ever returned from Laos. More information is available at Pownetwork.org