MOON TOWNSHIP (KDKA) — It’s been 42 years since Air Force Captain Thomas E. Clark went missing in action from the Vietnam War.

“It doesn’t really matter how long it’s been as far as we’re concerned,” Daryl Hartman, Operations Group Commander with the 911th Airlift Wing, said.

“It could be World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam, it doesn’t matter. The Air Force and the military is dedicated to bringing everybody home.”

On Thursday, Captain Clark’s remains passed through Pittsburgh International Airport before reaching his final resting place in his hometown of Emporium, Pa.

Personnel from the 911th Airlift Wing, Air Force Reserve Command participated in the dignified transfer.

Clark was born in 1939. He was 29 when he died.

Many family members never even knew him, but were still touched and felt the need to honor his return.

“I noticed there was a girl there who I’m sure wasn’t even born in 1969 and still she was there to honor the return of her uncle or great uncle,” Hartman said.

Clark’s remains will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. His funeral is Saturday in Emporium.

More than 1,600 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.

RELATED LINKS
More Local News
911th Airlift Wing