News-Info-Alerts

Re: Waiting and Hoping

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: February 13, 2003

"Area soldier's remains may have been found

by Tom Barnett staff reporter Sidney Daily News

Sgt. James D. LockerFebruary 13, 2003 - Remains recovered from a Southeast Asia military helicopter crash site, undergoing forensic testing at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, could bring closure to the families of a Sidney pararescueman Sgt. James D. Locker and three other crew members.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Tuesday military officials say they are "almost 100 percent certain" they have found the site of the June 9, 1968 crash of the Green Giant 23 HH-3E rescue helicopter and the remains of its crew.

The helicopter went down under heavy enemy fire in Laos, crashing and exploding while attempting to rescue a downed airman.

The rescue 'copter was piloted by U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Jack Rittichier, 34, of Barberton. Crew members were Capt. Richard C. Yeend, 29, of Mobile, Ala., the co-pilot; Sgt. Locker, 21 of Sidney; and Staff Sgt. Elmer L. Holden, 24, of Oklahoma City.

Contacted at their Sidney home Wednesday, Sgt. Locker's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Locker, said they have received no word from the military regarding the location of the crash site or the possibility their son's remains may have been located.

The crash site, a six-hour drive and 90-minute helicopter ride from Vientiane, the capital of Lao People's Democratic Republic, was discovered in November, Air Force sources said.

In addition to human remains and helicopter pieces, search and recovery teams reportedly found personal effects. They include a pocketknife, part of a watch, a boot sole and a bar ensign believed to have belonged to either Capt. Yeend or Lt. Rittichier.

Prior to locating the crash site, a villager had turned a dog tag and remains reportedly belonging to Lt. Rittichier over to a public security office in Dong Ngi Province, Vietnam.

Positive identification of the remains will not be made for several months, a military spokesperson said.

James Douglas Locker, 21, a graduate of Sidney High School, entered the Air Force July 5, 1962 and trained as a rescue and survival specialist.

His awards and decorations include: Silver Star with two oak leaf clusters; Distinguished Flying Cross; two Purple Hearts; Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters; POW/MIA Medal (missing while serving in the defense of freedom in Southeast Asia); Military Merit Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, RVN Gallantry Cross with palm and RVN Campaign Medal.

The Air Force has dedicated two buildings to the memory of Sgt Locker at Keesler AFB, Miss. and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton.

His name is included on the 500-foot granite Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. and on the Korean-Vietnam War Veteran's monument on the southwest corner of the Courtsquare in downtown Sidney."