Marine Vietnam Veteran did not give up on MIA "brother"

Vietnam veteran keeps solemn vow to his lost brother in arms
By Meg Jones
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Published: May 1, 2013

When the rocket arced up from the Vietnamese jungle and hit the U.S. helicopter, Merlin Raye Allen took the brunt of the blast. He was killed, but in the process saved his best friend and fellow Marine, Jeff Savelkoul.

Savelkoul suffered severe burns and broken bones in the inferno that engulfed the helicopter, melting weapons and killing most on board. The remains of Allen, a 20-year-old Bayfield man, were not recovered, but Savelkoul vowed one day he would bring his buddy home.

Last year a joint U.S. and Vietnamese recovery team excavated the helicopter crash site in Thua Thien-Hue province. Team members found remains that in February were positively identified as Allen's.

Now Savelkoul gets the chance to do right by his friend, who will forever be 20 years old.
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