LTC. Paul E. Getchell, US Air Force, 8th Tactical Bomber Squadron, Phan Rang Airbase, the co-pilot of a B57 Canberra light bomber, and bomber pilot Col. Dale Eaton, went missing while involved in night interdiction operations in Savannakhet Province, Laos, on January 13, 1969. The aircraft was apparently struck by hostile fire at about 50 miles southeast of the city of Muong Nong. Although no parachutes were observed by other aircraft in the area, a forward air controller (FAC) reported hearing a faint beeper in the approximate area where the last radio transmission was received. Both men were declared Missing In Action and classified in "Category 2"; which indicates the strong possibility that the enemy knew their fate.
Paul was the oldest of nine children and grew up in Portland, ME. He attended Cheverus High School, graduating in 1955. After enrolling at St. John seminary in Boston, he found himself always reading military books. He knew then the military was his calling. He met his wife, Teresa, while she was a nurse at Camp Gregory in Gray, Cumberland County, Maine . He was the handyman. They married in San Antonio, Texas, and adopted sons Gregory and Paul, and daughter Karen.
Paul was very proud to be in the military. He pressed ahead into the war sooner than planned so he could get it out of the way before starting the assignment he really wanted: Teaching Philosophy at the Air Force Academy.
A devout Catholic, Paul loved going to church with his family. Paul was also survived by three brothers and three sisters.
UPDATE: 24 April 2007 - Airmen Missing In Action From Vietnam War Are Identified.
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of two U.S. servicemen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors.
They are Col. Norman D. Eaton, of Weatherford, Okla., and Lt. Col. Paul E. Getchell, of Portland, Maine, both U.S. Air Force. Eaton will be buried April 25 at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., and Getchell will be buried later this spring at Arlington.
Paul was the oldest of nine children and grew up in Portland, ME. He attended Cheverus High School, graduating in 1955. After enrolling at St. John seminary in Boston, he found himself always reading military books. He knew then the military was his calling. He met his wife, Teresa, while she was a nurse at Camp Gregory in Gray, Cumberland County, Maine . He was the handyman. They married in San Antonio, Texas, and adopted sons Gregory and Paul, and daughter Karen.
Paul was very proud to be in the military. He pressed ahead into the war sooner than planned so he could get it out of the way before starting the assignment he really wanted: Teaching Philosophy at the Air Force Academy.
A devout Catholic, Paul loved going to church with his family. Paul was also survived by three brothers and three sisters.
UPDATE: 24 April 2007 - Airmen Missing In Action From Vietnam War Are Identified.
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of two U.S. servicemen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors.
They are Col. Norman D. Eaton, of Weatherford, Okla., and Lt. Col. Paul E. Getchell, of Portland, Maine, both U.S. Air Force. Eaton will be buried April 25 at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., and Getchell will be buried later this spring at Arlington.
LTC. Paul E. Getchell, US Air Force, 8th Tactical Bomber Squadron, Phan Rang Airbase, the co-pilot of a B57 Canberra light bomber, and bomber pilot Col. Dale Eaton, went missing while involved in night interdiction operations in Savannakhet Province, Laos, on January 13, 1969. The aircraft was apparently struck by hostile fire at about 50 miles southeast of the city of Muong Nong. Although no parachutes were observed by other aircraft in the area, a forward air controller (FAC) reported hearing a faint beeper in the approximate area where the last radio transmission was received. Both men were declared Missing In Action and classified in "Category 2"; which indicates the strong possibility that the enemy knew their fate.
Paul was the oldest of nine children and grew up in Portland, ME. He attended Cheverus High School, graduating in 1955. After enrolling at St. John seminary in Boston, he found himself always reading military books. He knew then the military was his calling. He met his wife, Teresa, while she was a nurse at Camp Gregory in Gray, Cumberland County, Maine . He was the handyman. They married in San Antonio, Texas, and adopted sons Gregory and Paul, and daughter Karen.
Paul was very proud to be in the military. He pressed ahead into the war sooner than planned so he could get it out of the way before starting the assignment he really wanted: Teaching Philosophy at the Air Force Academy.
A devout Catholic, Paul loved going to church with his family. Paul was also survived by three brothers and three sisters.
UPDATE: 24 April 2007 - Airmen Missing In Action From Vietnam War Are Identified.
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of two U.S. servicemen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors.
They are Col. Norman D. Eaton, of Weatherford, Okla., and Lt. Col. Paul E. Getchell, of Portland, Maine, both U.S. Air Force. Eaton will be buried April 25 at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., and Getchell will be buried later this spring at Arlington.
Paul was the oldest of nine children and grew up in Portland, ME. He attended Cheverus High School, graduating in 1955. After enrolling at St. John seminary in Boston, he found himself always reading military books. He knew then the military was his calling. He met his wife, Teresa, while she was a nurse at Camp Gregory in Gray, Cumberland County, Maine . He was the handyman. They married in San Antonio, Texas, and adopted sons Gregory and Paul, and daughter Karen.
Paul was very proud to be in the military. He pressed ahead into the war sooner than planned so he could get it out of the way before starting the assignment he really wanted: Teaching Philosophy at the Air Force Academy.
A devout Catholic, Paul loved going to church with his family. Paul was also survived by three brothers and three sisters.
UPDATE: 24 April 2007 - Airmen Missing In Action From Vietnam War Are Identified.
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of two U.S. servicemen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors.
They are Col. Norman D. Eaton, of Weatherford, Okla., and Lt. Col. Paul E. Getchell, of Portland, Maine, both U.S. Air Force. Eaton will be buried April 25 at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., and Getchell will be buried later this spring at Arlington.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
