News-Info-Alerts

Re: MIA/KIAs Finally Laid to Rest

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: September 01, 2003

Curious case.

"F-15E crew buried in Arlington

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper salutes as Air Force Honor Guard members fold a flag during a funeral ceremony Aug. 29 for Lt. Col. William R. Watkins III and Capt. Eric B. Das at Arlington National Cemetery. Watkins and Das were killed April 7 when their F-15E Strike Eagle went down on a combat mission over Iraq. The fliers were assigned to the 333rd Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.

WASHINGTON (AFPN)  -- Two F-15E Strike Eagle crewmembers killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom were buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full honors Aug. 29.

Capt. Eric B. Das, aircraft commander, and Lt. Col. William R. Watkins III, weapon systems officer, were killed April 7 when their aircraft went down during a combat mission over Iraq. They were assigned to the 333rd Fighter Squadron from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.

Das, 30, was from Amarillo, Texas, and Watkins, 37, was from Danville, Va.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper presented flags to the widows of the two fliers, Maj. Mary M. Watkins and Capt. Nicole C. Das. Four F-15Es from the 4th Fighter Wing flew in a missing-man formation as a final tribute."