The remains of a U.S. Navy pilot lost during a mission in the Vietnam War have been identified, bringing closure to a decades-long search for the missing aviator. Lieutenant Commander Larry R. Kilpatrick, a 28-year-old pilot, was flying an A-7A “Corsair II” on a night reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam in June 1972. During the mission, Kilpatrick reported seeing a target and planned to attack, but his radio contact was lost. Search and rescue efforts the next morning failed to locate any wreckage but did spot a parachute near the pilot’s last known location. This discovery, along with radio reports from Hanoi that claimed the downing of an A-7 aircraft, corroborated the loss of Kilpatrick and his plane. Despite the initial search and rescue efforts, the mystery of Kilpatrick’s fate lingered for years, adding to the tragedy of war.

Recovery of Remains and Identification

While initial attempts to recover the remains of Lieutenant Commander Kilpatrick proved unsuccessful, a joint team conducted further excavation of the crash site almost two decades later, in 1996. This second round of excavation, following clues from the original search efforts, proved fruitful. The team uncovered aircraft wreckage consistent with the type of plane Kilpatrick was piloting, bolstering the suspicions surrounding his disappearance. Following the initial discovery, additional excavation efforts throughout the years yielded more clues. The discovery of possible human remains, alongside life support items, allowed the DPAA lab to undertake further investigation.

Scientific Confirmation

Using cutting-edge forensic techniques, scientists painstakingly analyzed the collected remains, focusing on dental evidence. This crucial evidence, paired with contextual clues gathered from the crash site, confirmed the identity of the remains as those of Lieutenant Commander Kilpatrick.

Honor and Recognition

Following the confirmation of Kilpatrick’s remains, the DPAA placed a rosette next to his name on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. This gesture served to signify his homecoming, bringing closure to a long chapter of uncertainty for Kilpatrick’s family and loved ones. The placement of the rosette also reflected his nation’s enduring commitment to honoring its fallen heroes.

Memorial Service and Final Resting Place

On November 15, 2024, Lieutenant Commander Kilpatrick will be laid to rest in Gwinnett County, Georgia. The ceremony will stand as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by American service members during the Vietnam War, as well as the unwavering efforts dedicated to accounting for those lost.

Take Away Points

• The identification of Lieutenant Commander Larry R. Kilpatrick’s remains brings closure to his family and the nation after decades of uncertainty.
• The efforts to recover and identify Kilpatrick’s remains are a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
• His memorial service in Georgia will honor his memory and the sacrifices made by all those who served during the Vietnam War.