U.S. AIR FORCE TECH SGT ACCOUNTED FOR AFTER 57 YEARS MISSING IN VIETNAM
After nearly six decades of uncertainty, the remains of U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Donald W. Stevens, who went missing in action during the Vietnam War in 1967, have been positively identified and returned to his family, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced on Tuesday.
Tech Sgt. Stevens was 29 years old when he was reported missing on April 16, 1967, during a reconnaissance mission over Laos. He was part of an aerial crew aboard an EC-47 aircraft assigned to electronic surveillance operations in support of U.S. military efforts during the height of the Vietnam War. The aircraft reportedly came under enemy fire and was believed to have crashed in mountainous terrain in Laos near the border with Vietnam.
For decades, Stevens was listed as Missing in Action (MIA), and his fate remained unknown. Despite multiple recovery efforts over the years, hostile conditions, thick jungle, and remote crash sites made search operations in Southeast Asia extremely difficult. However, recent advancements in forensic science, combined with increased access to historical crash sites, have led to new breakthroughs.
In 2023, a joint recovery team from the DPAA and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic discovered aircraft wreckage and potential human remains in a region long suspected to be linked to Stevens’ flight. Following extensive excavation and analysis, biological remains were transferred to a DPAA lab in Hawaii, where dental records, DNA analysis, and other forensic evidence confirmed the identity of Tech Sgt. Donald W. Stevens in early July 2025.
Stevens’ surviving relatives, including his now elderly sister and several nieces and nephews, were notified of the identification. In a statement, the family expressed both sorrow and gratitude. “It’s a bittersweet moment. We’ve waited 57 years for closure. Now we can finally lay Donald to rest with honor,” said his niece, Carol Stevens.
A full military funeral with honors is scheduled to be held later this month at Arlington National Cemetery, where Stevens will be buried alongside other service members who gave their lives in defense of the United States.
The news comes as part of the ongoing efforts by the DPAA to account for the over 1,500 Americans still listed as missing from the Vietnam War. Since the end of the conflict, hundreds of remains have been recovered and identified through painstaking research, DNA testing, and international cooperation.
“Tech Sgt. Stevens’ identification is a powerful reminder of our commitment to leave no one behind,” said DPAA Director Kelly McKeague. “It shows the strength of our partnerships with countries like Laos and the enduring dedication of our teams in the field and in the lab.”
Veterans’ groups across the country have praised the identification and recognition of Stevens’ service. For many families still waiting, his story serves as a beacon of hope that their loved ones may one day return home.
After 57 years, Tech Sgt. Donald W. Stevens’ name will no longer be on the Vietnam War memorial’s list of the missing — a nation remembers, and a family finally finds peace.