A Mission Shrouded in Tragedy

On March 16, 1962, Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 departed on a classified reconnaissance mission to Vietnam under orders from President John F. Kennedy. The aircraft, carrying 93 American service members, 11 civilian crew members, and 4 Vietnamese citizens, mysteriously vanished. Despite extensive search efforts, no wreckage or remains were ever found, leaving behind unanswered questions and an enduring legacy of sacrifice.

A Tribute Long Overdue

For years, the names of those lost on Flight 739 were absent from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Seeking to right this wrong, Wreaths Across America took action in 2021. Led by founder Morrill Worcester, the organization established a permanent memorial in Maine, set on the Worcester family’s balsam tip land—the same land used to harvest balsam for wreaths placed on veterans’ graves during National Wreaths Across America Day.

This monument ensures that the individuals aboard Flight 739 are forever honored, recognizing their service and sacrifice in a way history had long neglected.

Source: FleetOwner

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