SP4 John A. Ware
On November 4, 1969 WO Terry L. Alford, aircraft commander; WO1 Jim R. Cavender, pilot; SP4 John A. Ware, crew chief; and SP4 James R. Klimo, door gunner; were flying a series of combat support missions in a UH1H helicopter (serial #67-19512) in South Vietnam.
WO Alford was returning to his base at Nha Trang from Duc Lap at about 1920 hours when he made his last known radio contact with the 48th Aviation Company Operations at Ninh Hoa. Either the pilot or aircraft commander gave his approximate location as Duc My Pass, and stated he was in the clouds and instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Shortly afterwards, the controller at Ninh Hoa heard a radio transmission that WO1 Alford was in trouble. The pilot reported, inexplicably, that the helicopter was flying upside down.
According to the Defense Department, one crewmember's body was recovered at a later time, but no remains were ever found that could be identified as Alford, Klimo, Ware, or Cavender. The four crewmembers were not among the prisoners of war that were released in 1973. High ranking officials admit their dismay that "hundreds" of suspected American prisoners of war did not return. Klimo's sister has identified her brother as one of the prisoners of war pictured in a Vietnamese propaganda leaflet.
Alarmingly, evidence continues to mount that Americans were left behind as prisoners in Southeast Asia and continue to be held today. Unlike MIAs from other wars, most of the nearly 2,500 men and women who remain missing in Southeast Asia can be accounted for. The crew of the UH1H could be among them. Isn't it time we brought our men home?
|
|
