GI killed in Vietnam 1965 to be buried at Arlington

GI killed in 1965 to be buried at Arlington

The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Mar 21, 2010 13:18:18 EDT

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — A soldier who died more than 40 years ago in a Vietnam jungle will be buried next month at Arlington National Cemetery.

The remains of Army Spc. Thomas Rice Jr. will be buried April 9 after a memorial service for him and three others who were aboard a helicopter that went missing in 1965, Rice’s sister Faye Smith told the Herald-Journal of Spartanburg.

“This is the final goodbye because now we know we’re actually fixing to bury his remains,” Smith said.

Rice’s family held a memorial service for the 23-year-old soldier after he was officially declared dead in 1966. Family members still wondered whether he had died or was being held prisoner.

Also aboard the chopper were Army Spc. 5th Class Donald C. Grella, Chief Warrant Officer Jessie D. Phelps and Chief Warrant Officer Kenneth L. Stancil.

read more here

GI killed in 1965 to be buried at Arlington