Army pilot. On April 3, 1969, Army 1Lt Ecklund and U.S. Air Force observer Capt. Perry H. Jefferson were flying a visual reconnaissance mission out of Phan Rang airbase. A radio report sent thirty minutes after take-off giving their location, destination and information of the visual reconnaissance was the last communication made from the aircraft. An extensive air search with all available aircraft lasted three days. The presumed crash site was located in an area occupied by hostile forces, so no ground search was held. Over the years there were reports of the men being held captive by the Viet Cong. Lt. Ecklund's parents never gave up hope that their only son would be found alive. In 1979 President Carter declared a PFOD (Presumptive Finding of Death) in this case, even though there was no confirmation. In 1985 evidence of Ecklund's death was presented by a Vietnamese officer in the Philippines who turned in a jaw bone and teeth to U.S. authorities. In 2003 DNA from the jaw bone matched Mrs. Ecklund. While the family still has doubt about the case, in April 2004 on the 35th anniversary of his disappearance, the family held a funeral for their son. Maj. Ecklund was awarded the Air Medal Award and the Purple Heart medal for his service to his country.
Army pilot. On April 3, 1969, Army 1Lt Ecklund and U.S. Air Force observer Capt. Perry H. Jefferson were flying a visual reconnaissance mission out of Phan Rang airbase. A radio report sent thirty minutes after take-off giving their location, destination and information of the visual reconnaissance was the last communication made from the aircraft. An extensive air search with all available aircraft lasted three days. The presumed crash site was located in an area occupied by hostile forces, so no ground search was held. Over the years there were reports of the men being held captive by the Viet Cong. Lt. Ecklund's parents never gave up hope that their only son would be found alive. In 1979 President Carter declared a PFOD (Presumptive Finding of Death) in this case, even though there was no confirmation. In 1985 evidence of Ecklund's death was presented by a Vietnamese officer in the Philippines who turned in a jaw bone and teeth to U.S. authorities. In 2003 DNA from the jaw bone matched Mrs. Ecklund. While the family still has doubt about the case, in April 2004 on the 35th anniversary of his disappearance, the family held a funeral for their son. Maj. Ecklund was awarded the Air Medal Award and the Purple Heart medal for his service to his country.
Bio by: Marsha
