Ward, Neal Clinton
Air Force Major

Neal Clinton Ward, age 23, from College Station, Texas, Brazos county.

Service era: Vietnam
Military history: 602nd Special Operations Squadron,

Date of death: Friday, June 13, 1969
Death details: as the pilot of an A-1H aircraft, leading a flight of two on an armed reconnaissance mission in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Following four bombing runs, Ward started a strafing run. His wingman initially followed but broke off. The wingman saw automatic weapons muzzle flashes from the target area, followed by a large fire and explosion. He was unable to establish contact with Ward, and did not observe a parachute. He passed over the target area and saw debris, but was unable to identify it as Ward’s wreckage. Due to hostile enemy activity in the area, a ground search was not possible. Based on a lack of information regarding Ward’s status, he was declared deceased on June 20, 1978. Accounted for July 19, 2019
Cemetery: Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency