U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Ralph Jim Chipman disappeared into darkness in late 1972

Capt. Ralph Jim Chipman was laid to rest on Nov. 11 in American Fork, Utah. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Ralph Jim Chipman was the pilot of an A-6A Intruder when he and his crew went missing into darkness nearly 51 years ago flying a mission during the Vietnam War .

Considered missing in action and then later deemed killed in war, Chipman’s remains were found and identified three months ago. Now, he’s coming home.

Chipman’s remains will return to his native Utah on Saturday for a final resting place — flanked by family members, first responders and others for a Veterans Day memorial.

“After 50 years the day our family has been waiting for has finally come!” Scot Chipman, his son, said, according to KSLN. “Our family wants to thank all of those that have made this day possible.”

Chipman piloted A-6A Intruder, which is believed to be the world’s first all-weather attack bomber and capable of deploying weapons during low visibility.

He flew a combat mission on the night of Dec. 27, 1972, over the northern area of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam with co-pilot Capt. Ronald Wayne Forrester and another crew member.

            A-6A Intruder

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) states that Chipman and his crew were entering a target area and then all radio communications stopped. Their plane never returned to base, and they were never heard from again.

DPAA stated in a release there wasn’t “any trace of the aircraft or the crew” during a search. The DPAA has worked with governments from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia for more decades to excavate American soldiers lost during the war.

Chipman’s remains was discovered on Aug. 2 after two excavations that led to findings of his identification dog tags, bone fragments and teeth. The teeth were verified through DNA testing.

Chipman’s remains are scheduled to be moved from the Salt Lake City International Airport to the Anderson and Sons Mortuary in American Fork on Saturday by family members, the American Fork Police, the Utah Highway Patrol and the Patriot Guard Riders.

Written by Scott McDonald for Newsbreak ~ November 11, 2023