REMARKS:

On March 6, 1968, Major William H. Seward, pilot, and Lieutenant Colonel Robert Lopez, passenger, were aboard a US Marine Corps CH46A helicopter (tail #151909, call sign Yankee Whiskey 17) as lead aircraft in a flight of two in
company with several other support aircraft on an insertion mission in South Vietnam. Also onboard Seward's helicopter were an unknown number of indigenous personnel working with the Special Forces team to be inserted. While hovering above an 80-foot canopy to insert a the reconnaissance team, the aircraft received moderate small arms fire and began settling. The aircraft continued its descent until the rotor blades struck the trees and the aircraft twisted and fell, coming to rest on the right side in a nose-low attitude. Following the crash of the helicopter, both Seward and the co-pilot were helplessly trapped in the twisted wreckage of the cockpit. The personnel who were able to get out of the burning aircraft succeeded in freeing the co-pilot. Major Seward was unconscious and trapped in the opposite side of
the cockpit. Every effort to free him failed. Lieutenant Colonel Lopez appeared to be trapped between the aircraft and the ground, and efforts to free him were useless.

Once flames reached the cockpit and ammunition began exploding, the men were forced to abandon rescue efforts. Within 30 seconds, the aircraft exploded and was completely consumed by fire. A short while later, the survivors were
extracted by rescue helicopters and evacuated. A recovery team entered the crash area about 2 hours later. The remains of one passenger, believed to be those of Lopez were found, but were charred beyond recognition, and it was
decided not to attempt recovery. Other remains were apparently destroyed by fire and explosion. The other men reported missing were indigenous, names unknown.

Lopez and Seward are listed with honor among the missing because no remains were found. Their cases seem quite clear. For others who are listed missing, resolution is not as simple. Many were known to have survived their loss
incident. Quite a few were in radio contact with search teams and describing an advancing enemy. Some were photographed or recorded in captivity. Others simply vanished without a trace.

 Those announced include Captain Roger M. Netherland, USN, of Pennsylvania, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Lopez, USA, of Washington, and Major William H. Seward, USMC, of Georgia.  The remains of Captain Netherland, missing since May 10, 1967, were unilaterally repatriated by the Government of Vietnam on September 11, 1989.

The remains of LTC Lopez and Major Seward were jointly recovered in August of  1993 and October of 1994.

Full Name: ROBERT LOPEZ 
Wall Name: ROBERT LOPEZ 
Date of Birth: 10/7/1924 
Date of Casualty: 3/6/1968 
Home of Record: SEATTLE 
State: WA 
Branch of Service: ARMY 
Rank: LTC 
Casualty Country: SOUTH VIETNAM 
Casualty Province: PR & MR UNKNOWN 
Status: MIA 

LOPEZ, ROBERT
LTC   US ARMY
DATE OF BIRTH: 10/07/1924
DATE OF DEATH: 03/06/1968
BURIED AT: SECTION 34  SITE 674-A

SEWARD, WILLIAM HENRY
MAJ   US MARINE CORPS
VIETNAM
DATE OF BIRTH: 04/11/1937
DATE OF DEATH: 03/06/1968
BURIED AT: SECTION 34  SITE 674-A