A Vietnam War pilot who had been missing for over 50 years has finally been identified. U.S. Marine Corps Captain Ronald W. Forrester was piloting an A-6A Intruder on a nighttime mission over northern Vietnam when his plane lost radio contact.
He was just 25 years old when his aircraft disappeared during the combat mission in 1972. Search-and-rescue efforts came up empty, and in 1978, the Marine Corps officially changed his status from missing in action to killed in action.
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After decades of investigation, a breakthrough came when remains and evidence believed to be linked to both Forrester and his copilot were found. The discoveries were tied to a crash site in central Vietnam.
In order to identify the remains, scientists used mitochondrial DNA testing, along with evidence found at the crash site. Captain Forrester’s name is listed on the National Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington, and at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.
Soon, a rosette be placed next to his name, to show he has finally been accounted for. He’ll be laid to rest on Oct. 7, at Arlington Cemetery.
