Final Vietnam airmen's remains found (last Aussie MIAs)

The Australian ^ | July 30, 2009

[Dundee]

THE remains of the last two Australian servicemen missing from the Vietnam War have been found in the wreckage of their crashed bomber.

An RAAF search team, which has been excavating the crash site near the Vietnam border with Laos, found human remains which have been identified as pilot Flying Officer Michael Herbert, 24, from Glenelg, South Australia, and navigator Pilot Officer Robert Carver, 24, from Toowoomba, Queensland.

Both died when their Canberra bomber crashed while returning from a mission on November 3, 1970.

Defence Personnel Minister Greg Combet said the recovery team found human remains near the crash site. The remains were taken to Hanoi where Vietnamese and Australian forensic specialists made identifications.

"Relatives of the two crew members have been advised of the discovery and air force will continue to keep them updated," Mr Combet said, adding that the airmen gave their lives in the service of their nation.

"I hope finding the remains of the airmen will bring some comfort to the families."

...a search conducted by the army history unit found wreckage in thick jungle on a hillside in remote Quang Nam province, near the border with Laos.

Invaluable assistance had been provided by a number of former North Vietnamese and Vietcong soldiers and their commanders, as well as many local villagers.

"Their compassion and commitment to assisting this vital mission is greatly appreciated," Mr Combet said.

A timetable for the repatriation of the airmen's remains is yet to be agreed between the Australian and Vietnamese governments.

Families of the two men will decide arrangements for their funerals and burial in Australia.

[naturalman1975]

Thank God. And to all involved.

[Leisler]

[Doogle]

..my hope is that their return to their families comforts and closes a period of the families lives that left them wondering. RIP.

[alfa6]

Deepest Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[csense]

RIP Semper Fi