Missing Vietnam War Pilot Identified After 57 Years

DPAA released photo of U.S. Air Force Major John C.G. Kerr.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced on April 29, 2024, that Major John C.G. Kerr,a United States Air Force pilot missing since 1967, has been identified. Kerr, originally from Florida, was a member of the 606 Air Commando Squadron.

On August 22, 1967, Kerr piloted an A-26A Invader attack aircraft on a solo nighttime reconnaissance mission over Laos during the Vietnam War. After a series of radio contacts, ground control lost radar contact with his aircraft. Despite extensive search efforts, neither Kerr nor his aircraft were found. However, a New China News Agency broadcast on the same day reported an American aircraft shot down.

Declared Killed in Action on June 4, 1971, Kerr's fate remained uncertain for decades. In 2005, a crash site was located, and the remains of the navigator were identified. However, Kerr's remains were not found in the aircraft. In 2023, possible human osseous material was discovered near the crash site. DPAA investigators, combining this discovery with circumstantial evidence, confirmed the remains as Maj. Kerr's.

The identification of Major Kerr brings closure to his family and honors his sacrifice. After nearly six decades, his remains have been recovered and properly identified, allowing him to be laid to rest with the dignity and respect he deserves. This discovery also highlights the ongoing efforts of organizations like DPAA to fulfill their commitment to accounting for missing American service members, ensuring that no one is left behind.