News-Info-Alerts

Re: After 35 Years, Honors and Rembrances

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: October 20, 2003

"Vietnam soldier remembered with honors 35 years later

SIDNEY (AP) -- About 50 members of a national motorcycle club dedicated to remembering imprisoned and missing troops led the funeral procession for a pararescueman whose helicopter was shot down over southeast Asia 35 years ago.

Air Force Sgt. James D. Locker was buried on Saturday with full military honors at the Glen Cemetery in nearby Port Jefferson.

Statewide veterans and military groups, relatives and residents packed the First United Methodist Church in his hometown of Sidney. Locker's flag-draped casket was surrounded by photographs and covered with medals -- including three Silver Stars, one he earned on his last mission in the Vietnam War.

Locker, 21, and three others were killed June 9, 1968, while attempting to rescue a downed airman with a broken leg. Their helicopter came under heavy enemy fire and crashed in Laos.

Investigators found the crash site last November after talking with a village chief in the area.

"A hero has finally come home," said pararescue jumper Doug McGill, who served in the same unit and years later helped in the search.

"Jim did not like to be in the limelight. He just wanted to accomplish the job he was trained to do and do it well," said McGill, who then turned to the casket for his farewell.

"Go easy my friend, I know we will meet again. Welcome home Jim, welcome home."

People waving flags from lawn chairs dotted the 5-mile route to the cemetery, where members of military and veterans groups lined the drive to the grave with their banners, U.S. flags and POW-MIA flags.

Members of the Rolling Thunder club, which rides the country teaching people about prisoners of war and those missing in action, led the way.

The helicopter pilot, Lt. Jack C. Rittichier, was buried Oct. 7 at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The 34-year-old from Barberton, Ohio, had been the only U.S. Coast Guardsman missing in action from the Vietnam War.

Also killed in the mission were the co-pilot, Air Force Capt. Richard C. Yeend Jr. of Mobile, Ala., and another crew member, Air Force Staff Sgt. Elmer L. Holden of Oklahoma City.

Air Force Master Sgt. Dan Hollinger, stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, has worn a POW-MIA bracelet with Locker's name for 11 years. Saturday, he handed it to Locker's parents, Robert and Dorothy.

©2003 The Advocate"