Remains of last 2 Australian MIAs found in Vietnam

[Coventina]

Source: Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia — Remains of the last two Australians listed as missing in action in the Vietnam War have been found in the wreckage of a bomber that crashed in a jungle 39 years ago, the government said Thursday.

An Australian air force team found the remains while excavating the recently discovered crash site in Vietnam near the Laos border, Defense Personnel Minister Greg Combet said.

Vietnamese and Australian forensic specialists identified the remains of the pilot, Flying Officer Michael Herbert, and the navigator, Pilot Officer Robert Carver, he said.

The two men, both age 24, were the sole crew of a bomber that crashed after a mission on Nov. 3, 1970.

"I hope finding the remains of the airmen will bring some comfort to the families," Combet said in a statement.

When Australia withdrew its last combat troops from Vietnam in late 1971, the bodies of six Australians remained behind: four soldiers lost in three separate clashes plus the two airmen.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jdeb-CWxXdUv4KB-PBVlcInQxpUAD99ONORO2

[winyanstaz]

1. My heart goes out to the families...may they find some closure..

although the grief and pain never goes away. Two more young lives snuffed out for war that was also a pack of lies for the rich and greedy to make more money. Such a terrible shame.

[Captain Hilts]

2. May we never again abuse the kinship with our cousins from Oz. nt

[old mark]

3. Austrailians are tough, fierce soldiers and I hope they always are on our side.

May all their fallen soldiers be at rest.

mark

[saigon68]

4. Thank you men

You gave your all