Three MIAs Identified

[boardman]

Three MIAs Identified
The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced the identification of remains belonging to three airmen who had been missing in action from World War II and the Vietnam War. Returned home are:

Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Dwight D. Ekstam, 21, of Moline, Ill. On April 22, 1944, Ekstam was a crewmember aboard a PBJ-1 aircraft that failed to return from a night training mission over the island of Espiritu Santo, in what is known today as Vanuatu. None of the crew were recovered.
Navy Lt. William E. Swanson, 27, of Zimmerman, Minn. On April 11, 1965, Swanson was piloting an A-1H Skyraider when it crashed while on an armed reconnaissance mission over Khammouan Province, Laos. His aircraft was reportedly struck by enemy fire. No parachute was observed.
Air Force Capt. Virgil K. Meroney III, 25, of Fayetteville, Ark. On March 1, 1969, Meroney was aboard an F-4D Phantom II aircraft that crashed while on night strike mission in Kahammouan Province, Laos. His aircraft was reportedly hit by enemy fire. No parachutes were observed.