The remains of an Air Force pilot from Georgia who was killed during a Vietnam War mission in Laos will be returned to his family for burial 35 years after his death.
Major John L. Carroll of Decatur was flying a forward air controller mission over Laos, on November 7th, 1972, when his plane was hit by enemy fire and forced to land. The Department of Defense said today that U.S. helicopters tried to rescue the 32-year-old Carroll, but intense enemy fire forced them away. One pilot saw that Carroll had been fatally wounded. He was buried by local villagers.
Earlier this year, the burial site was excavated and his remains were recovered. Carroll is to be buried with full military honors on November 13th at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
Major John L. Carroll of Decatur was flying a forward air controller mission over Laos, on November 7th, 1972, when his plane was hit by enemy fire and forced to land. The Department of Defense said today that U.S. helicopters tried to rescue the 32-year-old Carroll, but intense enemy fire forced them away. One pilot saw that Carroll had been fatally wounded. He was buried by local villagers.
Earlier this year, the burial site was excavated and his remains were recovered. Carroll is to be buried with full military honors on November 13th at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
