In Loving Memory ... LCDR. VIRGIL KING CAMERON.
*** At 1130, hours, on August 23, 1999, a service was held, at Arlington National Cemetery. Following the service, Lt. Cmdr. Virgil King Cameron, formerly of McAllen, TX., was laid to rest. It took 33 years and 24 days from the time of his death, but our brother came home. He had full military honors. six white horses pulling the caisson, bagpipes playing Amazing Grace and a fly over of F-18s set in the missing man formation. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron (Parents) lived long enough to put him to rest.
*** Lieutenant Commander Cameron was a member of Attack Squadron 155, Carrier Air Wing 15, U.S. Navy aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64). On July 29, 1966, he was the pilot of a Douglas Attack Aircraft Skyhawk (A-4E) over North Vietnam when his aircraft crashed. His remains were recovered on September 13, 1990 and identified on August 4, 1999. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in your family and those who knew you and loved you. You will live on because we remember you!
VIRGIL KING CAMERON - Navy - LCDR
Age: 35
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth May 8, 1939
From: MC ALLEN, TX
Religion: PROTESTANT
Marital Status: Married - King was married to my cousin, Mary Ellen on January 22, 1966. His parents, Charles Edward Roi Cameron, Born July 6, 1906 in Mexico and Died Nov. 17, 2008 in McAllen, Texas at the age of 102 yrs old and Mattie Leona Cameron, of McAllen, Born May 17, 1915 in Archer Co., Tx and Died Nov. 23, 2000 in McAllen, Texas. She died after her son was buried at Arlington. Maternal Grandparents, Edward P Bounds (1872 - 1919) and Ollie V King Bounds (1881 - 1960).
Brothers and Sisters, Drake, Mark, Diane and Carla. Paternal Grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Murdock Campbell Cameron.(Your Father was one of twelve children)
***** Flying was what King loved. He was humbled by being a Navy pilot and all that it meant, with the responsibility of flying combat missions over Vietnam.
Lieutenant Commander V. King Cameron
Diane Cameron
He is my brother
***** MICHAEL MORALES - CACO OFFICER
I was assigned as Courtesy Casualty Assistance Calls Officer. I was stationed in Harlingen TX during the time of his remains to be DNA'd and matched his Mother and Sister. The Cameron family was outstanding. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron invited me for lunches even after the case was closed. During my deployment to the Persian gulf I had something hit me and tried to get back to my wife so she could give me Mrs. Cameron's email address and that is when I found out she had passed on to see her son in heaven.
I salute you sir.
CWO3 MICHAEL MORALES USN
***** "Texas, Birth Index"
Name: Virgil King Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 08 May 1939
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Cameron
Mother's Name: Mattie Leona Bounds
***** Texas, Birth Index, 1903-1997"
Name: Carla Sue Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 25 Jul 1949
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Ro Cameron
Mother's Name: Leona Mattie Bounds
***** "Texas, Birth Index"
Name: Drake Spencer Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 15 Jul 1942
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Ro Cameron
Mother's Name: Mattie Leona Bounds
***** "Texas, Birth Index"
Name: Diane Jenean Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 01 Mar 1947
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Ro Cameron
Mother's Name: Leona Mattie Bounds
***** "Texas, Birth Index7
"Name: Mark Alan Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 11 Jul 1954
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Ro Cameron
Mother's Name: Mattie Leona Bounds
LCDR - O4 - Navy - Regular
His tour began on Jul 29, 1966
Declared Dead - Casualty was on Jun 24, 1974
In , NORTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Panel 09E - Line 85
Lieutenant Commander Cameron was a member of Attack Squadron 155, Carrier Air Wing 15, U.S. Navy aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64).
On July 29, 1966, he was the pilot of a Douglas Attack Aircraft Skyhawk (A-4E) over North Vietnam when his aircraft crashed.
His remains were recovered on September 13, 1990 and identified on August 4, 1999.
**********************************
August 6, 1999
Navy pilot comes home
McALLEN, TEXAS - Thirty-three years after Lieutenant Commander Virgil King Cameron's plane was shot down in North Vietnam, the Navy pilot is coming home.
His parents, Charles and Leona Cameron, of McAllen, received confirmation July 7 that Navy officials had identified their son's remains following a complex series of DNA tests.
At their home on Thursday, his parents sat weeping as they looked through yellowed newspaper clippings and brittle photographs, recalling their son's life and the bitter years of waiting to find out what exactly happened to him in the war-torn jungles of Vietnam.
"After the attack on King, I cried every day for three years," said his sobbing mother, 84-year-old Leona Cameron. "And even though the news of the government finding his remains opens old wounds, I'm very pleased because the Lord has a purpose in everything, and I know there is a purpose in his remains."
Cameron's father said he is relieved that the family has found a way to put their grief to rest."We are just thinking about what we are going to see when we go to Washington," said his father, 93-year-old Charles Cameron, "so we can't wait for it all to be over." He said he is happy to have lived long enough to see his son buried properly.
Cameron will be buried with full military honors, 11 a.m. August 23 at Arlington National Cemetery, said Chief Petty Officer Michael Morales, of the U.S. Navy. Morales said that he admired the Camerons' strength during a long vigil. "But 33 years is a long time," Morales said. "I'm just saying God bless Mr. and Mrs. Cameron to be living this long to put him to rest."
Morales said he was notified of the identification of Cameron's remains on June 28 and has been coordinating the services since then. He will escort the parents to Washington, D.C., for the burial ceremony.
His remains will be flown to Washington, D.C., accompanied by his brother, Drake Cameron.
"I thought the world of him," said Drake Cameron, who now lives in Houston. "When he made it to the (U.S. Naval) Academy - there's nothing much greater than that." He said he is glad that the remains finally have been identified and that his brother will be laid to rest, bringing an end to a 33-year heartache.
In honor of Cameron's sacrifice, a Purple Heart is displayed on a wall of the Cameron home, accompanied by a plaque with a bronze eagle soaring over his medals, a saber and miniature United States flags. Memorabilia and memories are all that remain now of the man who flew his A-4E Skyhawk from the U.S.S. Constellation, an aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Tonkin, to be shot down by enemy fire over Vinh, North Vietnam.
"We've felt that he died on impact, so we didn't have any hope that he was alive the same day it happened," Leona Cameron said, as she paged through a collection of black-and-white portraits and newspaper clippings. "King was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and we know where he is."
"Flying is what he loved," Cameron's mother said, tears brimming.
She said some families have been forced to accept identifications that are questionable, but the Cameron family has a clear DNA identification.
The Camerons are simply thankful that after 33 years, they are closer to seeing their son.
"When you're a believer you know you are going to see them again, so now we can have this service and rejoice," Leona Cameron said. "I have no doubt it's my son."
********************************************
.
*** At 1130, hours, on August 23, 1999, a service was held, at Arlington National Cemetery. Following the service, Lt. Cmdr. Virgil King Cameron, formerly of McAllen, TX., was laid to rest. It took 33 years and 24 days from the time of his death, but our brother came home. He had full military honors. six white horses pulling the caisson, bagpipes playing Amazing Grace and a fly over of F-18s set in the missing man formation. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron (Parents) lived long enough to put him to rest.
*** Lieutenant Commander Cameron was a member of Attack Squadron 155, Carrier Air Wing 15, U.S. Navy aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64). On July 29, 1966, he was the pilot of a Douglas Attack Aircraft Skyhawk (A-4E) over North Vietnam when his aircraft crashed. His remains were recovered on September 13, 1990 and identified on August 4, 1999. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in your family and those who knew you and loved you. You will live on because we remember you!
VIRGIL KING CAMERON - Navy - LCDR
Age: 35
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth May 8, 1939
From: MC ALLEN, TX
Religion: PROTESTANT
Marital Status: Married - King was married to my cousin, Mary Ellen on January 22, 1966. His parents, Charles Edward Roi Cameron, Born July 6, 1906 in Mexico and Died Nov. 17, 2008 in McAllen, Texas at the age of 102 yrs old and Mattie Leona Cameron, of McAllen, Born May 17, 1915 in Archer Co., Tx and Died Nov. 23, 2000 in McAllen, Texas. She died after her son was buried at Arlington. Maternal Grandparents, Edward P Bounds (1872 - 1919) and Ollie V King Bounds (1881 - 1960).
Brothers and Sisters, Drake, Mark, Diane and Carla. Paternal Grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Murdock Campbell Cameron.(Your Father was one of twelve children)
***** Flying was what King loved. He was humbled by being a Navy pilot and all that it meant, with the responsibility of flying combat missions over Vietnam.
Lieutenant Commander V. King Cameron
Diane Cameron
He is my brother
***** MICHAEL MORALES - CACO OFFICER
I was assigned as Courtesy Casualty Assistance Calls Officer. I was stationed in Harlingen TX during the time of his remains to be DNA'd and matched his Mother and Sister. The Cameron family was outstanding. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron invited me for lunches even after the case was closed. During my deployment to the Persian gulf I had something hit me and tried to get back to my wife so she could give me Mrs. Cameron's email address and that is when I found out she had passed on to see her son in heaven.
I salute you sir.
CWO3 MICHAEL MORALES USN
***** "Texas, Birth Index"
Name: Virgil King Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 08 May 1939
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Cameron
Mother's Name: Mattie Leona Bounds
***** Texas, Birth Index, 1903-1997"
Name: Carla Sue Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 25 Jul 1949
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Ro Cameron
Mother's Name: Leona Mattie Bounds
***** "Texas, Birth Index"
Name: Drake Spencer Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 15 Jul 1942
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Ro Cameron
Mother's Name: Mattie Leona Bounds
***** "Texas, Birth Index"
Name: Diane Jenean Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 01 Mar 1947
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Ro Cameron
Mother's Name: Leona Mattie Bounds
***** "Texas, Birth Index7
"Name: Mark Alan Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 11 Jul 1954
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Ro Cameron
Mother's Name: Mattie Leona Bounds
LCDR - O4 - Navy - Regular
His tour began on Jul 29, 1966
Declared Dead - Casualty was on Jun 24, 1974
In , NORTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Panel 09E - Line 85
Lieutenant Commander Cameron was a member of Attack Squadron 155, Carrier Air Wing 15, U.S. Navy aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64).
On July 29, 1966, he was the pilot of a Douglas Attack Aircraft Skyhawk (A-4E) over North Vietnam when his aircraft crashed.
His remains were recovered on September 13, 1990 and identified on August 4, 1999.
**********************************
August 6, 1999
Navy pilot comes home
McALLEN, TEXAS - Thirty-three years after Lieutenant Commander Virgil King Cameron's plane was shot down in North Vietnam, the Navy pilot is coming home.
His parents, Charles and Leona Cameron, of McAllen, received confirmation July 7 that Navy officials had identified their son's remains following a complex series of DNA tests.
At their home on Thursday, his parents sat weeping as they looked through yellowed newspaper clippings and brittle photographs, recalling their son's life and the bitter years of waiting to find out what exactly happened to him in the war-torn jungles of Vietnam.
"After the attack on King, I cried every day for three years," said his sobbing mother, 84-year-old Leona Cameron. "And even though the news of the government finding his remains opens old wounds, I'm very pleased because the Lord has a purpose in everything, and I know there is a purpose in his remains."
Cameron's father said he is relieved that the family has found a way to put their grief to rest."We are just thinking about what we are going to see when we go to Washington," said his father, 93-year-old Charles Cameron, "so we can't wait for it all to be over." He said he is happy to have lived long enough to see his son buried properly.
Cameron will be buried with full military honors, 11 a.m. August 23 at Arlington National Cemetery, said Chief Petty Officer Michael Morales, of the U.S. Navy. Morales said that he admired the Camerons' strength during a long vigil. "But 33 years is a long time," Morales said. "I'm just saying God bless Mr. and Mrs. Cameron to be living this long to put him to rest."
Morales said he was notified of the identification of Cameron's remains on June 28 and has been coordinating the services since then. He will escort the parents to Washington, D.C., for the burial ceremony.
His remains will be flown to Washington, D.C., accompanied by his brother, Drake Cameron.
"I thought the world of him," said Drake Cameron, who now lives in Houston. "When he made it to the (U.S. Naval) Academy - there's nothing much greater than that." He said he is glad that the remains finally have been identified and that his brother will be laid to rest, bringing an end to a 33-year heartache.
In honor of Cameron's sacrifice, a Purple Heart is displayed on a wall of the Cameron home, accompanied by a plaque with a bronze eagle soaring over his medals, a saber and miniature United States flags. Memorabilia and memories are all that remain now of the man who flew his A-4E Skyhawk from the U.S.S. Constellation, an aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Tonkin, to be shot down by enemy fire over Vinh, North Vietnam.
"We've felt that he died on impact, so we didn't have any hope that he was alive the same day it happened," Leona Cameron said, as she paged through a collection of black-and-white portraits and newspaper clippings. "King was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and we know where he is."
"Flying is what he loved," Cameron's mother said, tears brimming.
She said some families have been forced to accept identifications that are questionable, but the Cameron family has a clear DNA identification.
The Camerons are simply thankful that after 33 years, they are closer to seeing their son.
"When you're a believer you know you are going to see them again, so now we can have this service and rejoice," Leona Cameron said. "I have no doubt it's my son."
********************************************
.
In Loving Memory ... LCDR. VIRGIL KING CAMERON.
*** At 1130, hours, on August 23, 1999, a service was held, at Arlington National Cemetery. Following the service, Lt. Cmdr. Virgil King Cameron, formerly of McAllen, TX., was laid to rest. It took 33 years and 24 days from the time of his death, but our brother came home. He had full military honors. six white horses pulling the caisson, bagpipes playing Amazing Grace and a fly over of F-18s set in the missing man formation. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron (Parents) lived long enough to put him to rest.
*** Lieutenant Commander Cameron was a member of Attack Squadron 155, Carrier Air Wing 15, U.S. Navy aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64). On July 29, 1966, he was the pilot of a Douglas Attack Aircraft Skyhawk (A-4E) over North Vietnam when his aircraft crashed. His remains were recovered on September 13, 1990 and identified on August 4, 1999. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in your family and those who knew you and loved you. You will live on because we remember you!
VIRGIL KING CAMERON - Navy - LCDR
Age: 35
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth May 8, 1939
From: MC ALLEN, TX
Religion: PROTESTANT
Marital Status: Married - King was married to my cousin, Mary Ellen on January 22, 1966. His parents, Charles Edward Roi Cameron, Born July 6, 1906 in Mexico and Died Nov. 17, 2008 in McAllen, Texas at the age of 102 yrs old and Mattie Leona Cameron, of McAllen, Born May 17, 1915 in Archer Co., Tx and Died Nov. 23, 2000 in McAllen, Texas. She died after her son was buried at Arlington. Maternal Grandparents, Edward P Bounds (1872 - 1919) and Ollie V King Bounds (1881 - 1960).
Brothers and Sisters, Drake, Mark, Diane and Carla. Paternal Grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Murdock Campbell Cameron.(Your Father was one of twelve children)
***** Flying was what King loved. He was humbled by being a Navy pilot and all that it meant, with the responsibility of flying combat missions over Vietnam.
Lieutenant Commander V. King Cameron
Diane Cameron
He is my brother
***** MICHAEL MORALES - CACO OFFICER
I was assigned as Courtesy Casualty Assistance Calls Officer. I was stationed in Harlingen TX during the time of his remains to be DNA'd and matched his Mother and Sister. The Cameron family was outstanding. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron invited me for lunches even after the case was closed. During my deployment to the Persian gulf I had something hit me and tried to get back to my wife so she could give me Mrs. Cameron's email address and that is when I found out she had passed on to see her son in heaven.
I salute you sir.
CWO3 MICHAEL MORALES USN
***** "Texas, Birth Index"
Name: Virgil King Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 08 May 1939
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Cameron
Mother's Name: Mattie Leona Bounds
***** Texas, Birth Index, 1903-1997"
Name: Carla Sue Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 25 Jul 1949
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Ro Cameron
Mother's Name: Leona Mattie Bounds
***** "Texas, Birth Index"
Name: Drake Spencer Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 15 Jul 1942
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Ro Cameron
Mother's Name: Mattie Leona Bounds
***** "Texas, Birth Index"
Name: Diane Jenean Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 01 Mar 1947
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Ro Cameron
Mother's Name: Leona Mattie Bounds
***** "Texas, Birth Index7
"Name: Mark Alan Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 11 Jul 1954
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Ro Cameron
Mother's Name: Mattie Leona Bounds
LCDR - O4 - Navy - Regular
His tour began on Jul 29, 1966
Declared Dead - Casualty was on Jun 24, 1974
In , NORTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Panel 09E - Line 85
Lieutenant Commander Cameron was a member of Attack Squadron 155, Carrier Air Wing 15, U.S. Navy aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64).
On July 29, 1966, he was the pilot of a Douglas Attack Aircraft Skyhawk (A-4E) over North Vietnam when his aircraft crashed.
His remains were recovered on September 13, 1990 and identified on August 4, 1999.
**********************************
August 6, 1999
Navy pilot comes home
McALLEN, TEXAS - Thirty-three years after Lieutenant Commander Virgil King Cameron's plane was shot down in North Vietnam, the Navy pilot is coming home.
His parents, Charles and Leona Cameron, of McAllen, received confirmation July 7 that Navy officials had identified their son's remains following a complex series of DNA tests.
At their home on Thursday, his parents sat weeping as they looked through yellowed newspaper clippings and brittle photographs, recalling their son's life and the bitter years of waiting to find out what exactly happened to him in the war-torn jungles of Vietnam.
"After the attack on King, I cried every day for three years," said his sobbing mother, 84-year-old Leona Cameron. "And even though the news of the government finding his remains opens old wounds, I'm very pleased because the Lord has a purpose in everything, and I know there is a purpose in his remains."
Cameron's father said he is relieved that the family has found a way to put their grief to rest."We are just thinking about what we are going to see when we go to Washington," said his father, 93-year-old Charles Cameron, "so we can't wait for it all to be over." He said he is happy to have lived long enough to see his son buried properly.
Cameron will be buried with full military honors, 11 a.m. August 23 at Arlington National Cemetery, said Chief Petty Officer Michael Morales, of the U.S. Navy. Morales said that he admired the Camerons' strength during a long vigil. "But 33 years is a long time," Morales said. "I'm just saying God bless Mr. and Mrs. Cameron to be living this long to put him to rest."
Morales said he was notified of the identification of Cameron's remains on June 28 and has been coordinating the services since then. He will escort the parents to Washington, D.C., for the burial ceremony.
His remains will be flown to Washington, D.C., accompanied by his brother, Drake Cameron.
"I thought the world of him," said Drake Cameron, who now lives in Houston. "When he made it to the (U.S. Naval) Academy - there's nothing much greater than that." He said he is glad that the remains finally have been identified and that his brother will be laid to rest, bringing an end to a 33-year heartache.
In honor of Cameron's sacrifice, a Purple Heart is displayed on a wall of the Cameron home, accompanied by a plaque with a bronze eagle soaring over his medals, a saber and miniature United States flags. Memorabilia and memories are all that remain now of the man who flew his A-4E Skyhawk from the U.S.S. Constellation, an aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Tonkin, to be shot down by enemy fire over Vinh, North Vietnam.
"We've felt that he died on impact, so we didn't have any hope that he was alive the same day it happened," Leona Cameron said, as she paged through a collection of black-and-white portraits and newspaper clippings. "King was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and we know where he is."
"Flying is what he loved," Cameron's mother said, tears brimming.
She said some families have been forced to accept identifications that are questionable, but the Cameron family has a clear DNA identification.
The Camerons are simply thankful that after 33 years, they are closer to seeing their son.
"When you're a believer you know you are going to see them again, so now we can have this service and rejoice," Leona Cameron said. "I have no doubt it's my son."
********************************************
.
*** At 1130, hours, on August 23, 1999, a service was held, at Arlington National Cemetery. Following the service, Lt. Cmdr. Virgil King Cameron, formerly of McAllen, TX., was laid to rest. It took 33 years and 24 days from the time of his death, but our brother came home. He had full military honors. six white horses pulling the caisson, bagpipes playing Amazing Grace and a fly over of F-18s set in the missing man formation. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron (Parents) lived long enough to put him to rest.
*** Lieutenant Commander Cameron was a member of Attack Squadron 155, Carrier Air Wing 15, U.S. Navy aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64). On July 29, 1966, he was the pilot of a Douglas Attack Aircraft Skyhawk (A-4E) over North Vietnam when his aircraft crashed. His remains were recovered on September 13, 1990 and identified on August 4, 1999. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in your family and those who knew you and loved you. You will live on because we remember you!
VIRGIL KING CAMERON - Navy - LCDR
Age: 35
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth May 8, 1939
From: MC ALLEN, TX
Religion: PROTESTANT
Marital Status: Married - King was married to my cousin, Mary Ellen on January 22, 1966. His parents, Charles Edward Roi Cameron, Born July 6, 1906 in Mexico and Died Nov. 17, 2008 in McAllen, Texas at the age of 102 yrs old and Mattie Leona Cameron, of McAllen, Born May 17, 1915 in Archer Co., Tx and Died Nov. 23, 2000 in McAllen, Texas. She died after her son was buried at Arlington. Maternal Grandparents, Edward P Bounds (1872 - 1919) and Ollie V King Bounds (1881 - 1960).
Brothers and Sisters, Drake, Mark, Diane and Carla. Paternal Grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Murdock Campbell Cameron.(Your Father was one of twelve children)
***** Flying was what King loved. He was humbled by being a Navy pilot and all that it meant, with the responsibility of flying combat missions over Vietnam.
Lieutenant Commander V. King Cameron
Diane Cameron
He is my brother
***** MICHAEL MORALES - CACO OFFICER
I was assigned as Courtesy Casualty Assistance Calls Officer. I was stationed in Harlingen TX during the time of his remains to be DNA'd and matched his Mother and Sister. The Cameron family was outstanding. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron invited me for lunches even after the case was closed. During my deployment to the Persian gulf I had something hit me and tried to get back to my wife so she could give me Mrs. Cameron's email address and that is when I found out she had passed on to see her son in heaven.
I salute you sir.
CWO3 MICHAEL MORALES USN
***** "Texas, Birth Index"
Name: Virgil King Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 08 May 1939
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Cameron
Mother's Name: Mattie Leona Bounds
***** Texas, Birth Index, 1903-1997"
Name: Carla Sue Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 25 Jul 1949
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Ro Cameron
Mother's Name: Leona Mattie Bounds
***** "Texas, Birth Index"
Name: Drake Spencer Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 15 Jul 1942
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Ro Cameron
Mother's Name: Mattie Leona Bounds
***** "Texas, Birth Index"
Name: Diane Jenean Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 01 Mar 1947
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Ro Cameron
Mother's Name: Leona Mattie Bounds
***** "Texas, Birth Index7
"Name: Mark Alan Cameron
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 11 Jul 1954
Event Place: Hidalgo, Texas
Father's Name: Charles Edward Ro Cameron
Mother's Name: Mattie Leona Bounds
LCDR - O4 - Navy - Regular
His tour began on Jul 29, 1966
Declared Dead - Casualty was on Jun 24, 1974
In , NORTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died while missing, FIXED WING - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Panel 09E - Line 85
Lieutenant Commander Cameron was a member of Attack Squadron 155, Carrier Air Wing 15, U.S. Navy aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64).
On July 29, 1966, he was the pilot of a Douglas Attack Aircraft Skyhawk (A-4E) over North Vietnam when his aircraft crashed.
His remains were recovered on September 13, 1990 and identified on August 4, 1999.
**********************************
August 6, 1999
Navy pilot comes home
McALLEN, TEXAS - Thirty-three years after Lieutenant Commander Virgil King Cameron's plane was shot down in North Vietnam, the Navy pilot is coming home.
His parents, Charles and Leona Cameron, of McAllen, received confirmation July 7 that Navy officials had identified their son's remains following a complex series of DNA tests.
At their home on Thursday, his parents sat weeping as they looked through yellowed newspaper clippings and brittle photographs, recalling their son's life and the bitter years of waiting to find out what exactly happened to him in the war-torn jungles of Vietnam.
"After the attack on King, I cried every day for three years," said his sobbing mother, 84-year-old Leona Cameron. "And even though the news of the government finding his remains opens old wounds, I'm very pleased because the Lord has a purpose in everything, and I know there is a purpose in his remains."
Cameron's father said he is relieved that the family has found a way to put their grief to rest."We are just thinking about what we are going to see when we go to Washington," said his father, 93-year-old Charles Cameron, "so we can't wait for it all to be over." He said he is happy to have lived long enough to see his son buried properly.
Cameron will be buried with full military honors, 11 a.m. August 23 at Arlington National Cemetery, said Chief Petty Officer Michael Morales, of the U.S. Navy. Morales said that he admired the Camerons' strength during a long vigil. "But 33 years is a long time," Morales said. "I'm just saying God bless Mr. and Mrs. Cameron to be living this long to put him to rest."
Morales said he was notified of the identification of Cameron's remains on June 28 and has been coordinating the services since then. He will escort the parents to Washington, D.C., for the burial ceremony.
His remains will be flown to Washington, D.C., accompanied by his brother, Drake Cameron.
"I thought the world of him," said Drake Cameron, who now lives in Houston. "When he made it to the (U.S. Naval) Academy - there's nothing much greater than that." He said he is glad that the remains finally have been identified and that his brother will be laid to rest, bringing an end to a 33-year heartache.
In honor of Cameron's sacrifice, a Purple Heart is displayed on a wall of the Cameron home, accompanied by a plaque with a bronze eagle soaring over his medals, a saber and miniature United States flags. Memorabilia and memories are all that remain now of the man who flew his A-4E Skyhawk from the U.S.S. Constellation, an aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Tonkin, to be shot down by enemy fire over Vinh, North Vietnam.
"We've felt that he died on impact, so we didn't have any hope that he was alive the same day it happened," Leona Cameron said, as she paged through a collection of black-and-white portraits and newspaper clippings. "King was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and we know where he is."
"Flying is what he loved," Cameron's mother said, tears brimming.
She said some families have been forced to accept identifications that are questionable, but the Cameron family has a clear DNA identification.
The Camerons are simply thankful that after 33 years, they are closer to seeing their son.
"When you're a believer you know you are going to see them again, so now we can have this service and rejoice," Leona Cameron said. "I have no doubt it's my son."
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