Stuck In Laos - “Jade 22” and the Fight For Closure

In this episode, we examine the tragic and diplomatically complex case of Jade 22, a U.S. Air Force B-57 Canberra bomber lost over Laos on June 22, 1965. The crew — Major William Cordero (navigator) and Major Charles Lovelace (pilot) — were declared missing in action. Although the U.S. government considers the case “accounted for” after a partial 1969 recovery and group burial at Arlington National Cemetery, compelling evidence of additional unrecovered remains has kept the families in limbo for six decades. We break down decades of unfulfilled promises by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), the controversial 2023 case closure, and the impossible “catch-22” created by conflicting U.S. and Lao government directives — all while honoring the relentless advocacy of Tony Cordero and the Asymmetric MIA Accounting Group (AMAG) after the 2024 passing of Kathleen Cordero D’Ambrosi.

Key Discussion Points

• The 1965 Loss and 1969 Partial Recovery: The aircraft went down during a night interdiction mission in Bolikhamxay Province. In February 1969, a U.S. Special Forces team recovered only minimal bone fragments and Major Cordero’s ID card. These were placed in a group burial at Arlington National Cemetery, leading the government to declare both men accounted for — even though Lao villagers had already buried additional remains in an isolated grave at the crash site in 1968.
• Exception Case 3002 Evidence: 1994–1995 investigations relocated the exact site and confirmed villager testimony about the separate burial. The Central Identification Laboratory-Hawaii (CILHI) designated the case “Exception Case 3002” and strongly recommended immediate excavation, citing a “strong possibility” of individual identifications.
• Repeated Official Promises: Written commitments came from high-ranking officials, including Brigadier General Montague Winfield in 2004 and Major General Stephen Tom in 2010. A 2017 letter from the Secretary of the Air Force’s office affirmed that “every effort should be made” for the fullest possible accounting.
• The 2023 Closure: DPAA Director Kelly K. McKeague officially closed the case, stating the agency lacked authority to fund work on a “resolved” case and directing the family to pursue a private recovery mission with Laos.
• The Diplomatic Catch-22: The U.S. told the family to go private, yet the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated they will only coordinate through official DPAA channels. This contradiction — plus ongoing U.S. Embassy refusals — has created a complete impasse despite congressional support.
• The Human Toll: After decades of delays and broken assurances, Major Cordero’s widow Kathleen Cordero D’Ambrosi passed away in 2024. Her son Tony Cordero continues the fight with AMAG for the “fullest possible accounting” required by law.

Timeline of Major Events

• June 22, 1965: Jade 22 is lost over Bolikhamxay Province, Laos.
• 1968: Lao villagers bury remains in an isolated grave at the crash site.
• February 1969: Special Forces team recovers minimal surface remains and artifacts.
• 1969: Group burial takes place at Arlington National Cemetery.
• 1994–1995: Site relocated; CILHI designates Exception Case 3002 and recommends excavation.
• 2004 & 2010: Senior generals promise the family the site will be excavated.
• 2023: DPAA Director McKeague officially closes the case.
• 2024: Kathleen Cordero D’Ambrosi passes away.
• 2025–January 2026: AMAG and the family pursue private humanitarian access; congressional letters sent; both U.S. and Lao sides continue to block progress.

Call to Action

The Cordero family and the Asymmetric MIA Accounting Group (AMAG) are requesting that the Secretary of the Air Force convene a formal status review board under Title 10 to reclassify the case for active pursuit. They argue the remains were never recovered “to the extent practicable,” so the case does not legally meet the definition of “accounted for.”

#Jade22 #AMAG #POWMIA #DoW #DPAA #HASC #StateDepartment