Vietnam War soldier remains return to OK | Families

The family of a soldier who never came home after being sent to Vietnam will be remembering his life later this week in Norman.

Army Maj, James L. Whited was killed in action on November 19, 1966 during the Vietnam War.

Officials say Whited was the co-pilot of an OV-1A Mohawk aircraft that crashed while conducting a daytime reconnaissance mission in Laos.

U.S. aircrews saw the wing of the aircraft hit a tree to avoid a ridgeline but no parachutes were spotted.

Officials say strong enemy presence in the area prevented them from being able to recovery the bodies.

Almost 46 years later, his remains are being returned to his family for burial in his hometown.

At 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 30, 2012, a procession will accompany Maj. Whited's remains from Will Roger's International Airport to Primrose Funeral Service in Norman.

Whited's family says graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 2, 2012 at Sunset Memorial Park.