Knox soldier's remains finally come home from Vietnam

[douglas9]

Howes missing since helicopter went down in 1970

By JEFF HARRELL
South Bend Tribune Staff Writer

11:37 p.m. EDT, August 2, 2011
KNOX - Fellow Firebirds called him “Baby Bird” back in the day before he went missing in Vietnam.

Tuesday night, Andy Howes was honored as the Knox kid who finally made it home.

Marines decked in dress blues stood guard over the flag-draped casket containing the remains of Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 George Andres “Andy” Howes as family members greeted a long line of friends, veterans and strangers who showed up at the Knox Community Center to pay final respects to the hometown hero who went missing in action in Vietnam on Jan. 10, 1970.

Howes’ remains - six bones released by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in Hanoi in 1988 - were identified through DNA testing late last year.

Forty-one years later, Knox High School classmate and fellow Vietnam veteran Patrick McGrath’s eyes turned moist recalling the day he found out that his old buddy was finally headed home.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/sbt-knox-soldiers-remains-finally-come-home-from-vietnam-20110802,0,7938336.story

[Historic NY]

1. Welcome home.

[mailman82]

2. Welcome Home, Brother!

[demguy72340]

3. +1