Monday, September 23, 2013

Pilots Killed in Vietnam War to be Interred at Arlington Today

LANHAM, Md. (CBSDC/AP) — In July 1969, during the Vietnam War, Maj. James Sizemore and his co-pilot Maj. Howard Andre were shot down and killed while flying a nighttime combat mission over Laos.

Both men’s remains were unaccounted for until last year, when teams from the United States and Laos finally excavated the crash site. The pilots were positively identified in April, and at noon on Monday they will be buried side-by-side at Arlington National Cemetery.

Their families decided the friends, who were also classmates at Georgia Tech before the war, should remain together, as they have been for the past 45 years.

Because of sequestration, however, the Air Force will not provide the “missing man” flyover traditionally provided for fallen military pilots.

Instead, a Virginia-based nonprofit group made up of veteran pilots will fly their own planes over the ceremony. An A-26 Invader like the one the men died in will be included in the formation.

While the members of the group, Warrior Aviation, are donating their time, the fuel for the gesture will cost $24,000.

The families are trying to raise those funds, but as of Friday, they are $18,000 short.

To donate funds for the flyover, click here.


Original article and photo:   http://washington.cbslocal.com