Last Aussie Vietnam War soldiers coming home

[sfc_darrel]

United ... Shane Herbert, brother of flying officer Michael Patrick Herbert, sits next to his brother's coffin / AFP

AUSTRALIA'S last two servicemen missing in action from the Vietnam War have begun their final journey home.

The remains of Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver, both lost in 1970, have been placed aboard a RAAF Hercules transport aircraft for the trip from Hanoi, Vietnam, back to Australia.

Family members and former comrades of the RAAF's 2 Squadron observed the solemn ceremony at Noi Bai Airfield as their caskets were carried aboard the aircraft.

The family members and former servicemen will accompany them on the journey home.

Parliamentary secretary Dr Mike Kelly said the aircraft would fly to RAAF Base Richmond, northwest of Sydney, where they would be ceremonially received by current and former members of 2 Squadron.

"Today, our last remaining Australian Defence Force members from the Vietnam War will return home. After 39 years, Flying Officer Herbert and Pilot Officer Carver's family and friends will finally be able to bring them home to lay them to rest," he said.

Flying Officer Herbert, 24, from Glenelg, South Australia, and navigator Pilot Officer Carver, 24, from Toowoomba, Queensland, were lost when their Canberra bomber went missing on a mission on November 3, 1970.
When the last of Australia's combat troops left Vietnam at the end of 1971, six remained behind, the bodies missing in action in the jungles of South Vietnam.

The discovery of the bodies of Lance Corporal Richard Parker and Private Peter Gillson in 2007 by the organisation Operation Aussies Home sparked renewed official interest in finding and repatriating Australia's Vietnam missing.

The remains of Lance Corporal John Gillespie were recovered in 2007, followed by the discovery of Lance Corporal David Fisher last year.

That left only the remains of the two airmen, always regarded as the most difficult to retrieve because there was little idea where their aircraft crashed.

But in April this year, a search conducted by the Army History Unit found wreckage in thick jungle on a hillside in remote Quang Nam province, near the border with Laos.

Excavation of the site last month uncovered the remains of the two men.
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science Greg Combet thanked all those who worked tirelessly to bring them home.

"This is an excellent result. The cooperation of the Vietnamese authorities has been exceptional and highly valued by the team and the government of Australia," he said.

The Hercules carrying their remains will land at RAAF Richmond at 10.30am (AEST) tomorrow.

Private family funerals will be held later in the week in Adelaide and Toowoomba.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26002494-2,00.html

[Boats]

Amen to those guys who made it home. It goes to show that those who care to go the extra mile can make a difference. My respects to those familes and friends who now have their kids home and hopefully can now put this behind them and move on. Right Hand Salute to all those who've given the ultimate price. Welcome Home Guy's - Welcome Home

[DMZ-LT]

Good to know our sons and daughters are still looking for our lost brothers. Welcome home Michael and Robert , thank you for your support and service. " If you are wounded , I will carry you. If you are captured , I will come for you and if you are killed I will always remember you ". I remember every day.