THE WALL OF FACES

Technical Sergeant Allen Jones Avery, Served with the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3rd Air Rescue Group, 7th Air Force.

Airman Missing from Vietnam War Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Allen J. Avery of Arlington, Mass., will be buried April 6 at Arlington National Cemetery. On April 6, 1972, six airmen were flying a combat search and rescue mission in their HH-53C Super Jolly Green Giant helicopter over Quang Tri Province in South Vietnam when they were hit by enemy ground fire and crashed.

In 1988, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV) turned over remains they attributed to an American serviceman; however, the name provided by the SRV did not match anyone lost or missing from the Vietnam War. The remains were held by JPAC pending improved technology to facilitate a later identification.

From 1989 to 1992, Joint U.S./SRV field investigations, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), found evidence leading to an aircraft crash site as well as two reported burial sites. Team members recovered human remains and personal effects as well as aircraft debris. As a result, the crew was accounted-for in 1997 and buried as a group at Arlington National Cemetery. Three airmen were also individually identified at that time.

In the mid-2000s, JPAC's laboratory's improved scientific capability enabled them to match the 1988 remains to the correct loss. The Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) tested these remains against all servicemen who were MIA from the Vietnam War with negative results. Later AFDIL expanded its search to make comparisons with previously-identified individuals. In 2010, as a result of mitochondrial DNA testing, the remains were matched with four of the six airmen from the 1972 crash, including Avery.

NOTES: TSGT. Avery Service Years 1961-1972, Primary AFSC/MOS 115X0-Pararescue,

INFO:https://airforce.togetherweserved.com/usaf/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=79516

Semper Fi
God Bless you Allen

I have heard nothing but good things about you. You died the year I was born. I know that I will meet you In heaven one day. Thanks for your service.

Your cousin
Darren pert

I'm writing a book on the famous Bat-21 rescue mission. For it, I'd very much like to talk to anyone who knew Sgt. Avery. You can reach me at [email protected]

Thank you.
Stephan Talty
www.stephantalty.com