Home of Record: Silver Spring, MD
Date of birth: 06/24/1946
MILITARY DATA
Service: Army of the United States
Grade at loss: E4
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Note: Promoted while in MIA status
ID No: 219424079
MOS: 11B40: Infantryman
Length Service: **
Unit: E CO, 50TH INFANTRY, 9TH INF DIV, USARV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: 10/17/1967
Incident Date: 01/03/1968
Casualty Date: 03/06/1978
Age at Loss: 31 (based on date declared dead)
Location: Khanh Hoa Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body not recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died while missing
Casualty Reason: Helicopter - Noncrew
Casualty Detail: Air loss or crash over land
ON THE WALL Panel 33E Line 029
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
Rank/Branch: SP4/US Army
Unit: Headquarters & Headquarters Company, LRRP, 9th Infantry Division
Date of Birth: 24 June 1946 (Washington DC)
Home City of Record: Silver Springs MD
Date of Loss: 03 January 1968
Country of Loss: South Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 122655N 1085844E (BP804769)
Status (in 1973): Missing In Action
Category: 2
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: UH1H
Refno: 0961
Source: Compiled from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W. NETWORK in 1998.
Other Personnel In Incident: (none missing)
SYNOPSIS: SP4 Kenneth R. Lancaster was a team leader assigned to Headquarters & Headquarters Company Long Range Reconnaissance Platoon (LRRP) of the 9th Infantry Division. On January 3, 1968, Lancasters LRRP team was being extracted by helicopter from a designated pickup point in Khan Hoa Province, South Vietnam, near the city of Duc My.
About one minute after takeoff, a member of the team saw SP4 Lancaster hanging onto the right skid of the aircraft as the aircraft continued to gain altitude. The pilot was informed and requested to land. When it became evident that the pilot was not able to land due to rough terrain, immediate efforts were made to lower a rope. However, before the rescue attempt could
be made, Lancaster fell from the skid of the aircraft while the helicopter was at an altitude of 1000 to 1500 feet above the ground.
The area in which Lancaster fell had heavy vegetation and a triple canopy jungle, creating a slim possibility that the trees and heavy vegetation may have broken Lancaster's fall to some degree. The area was searched that day and again on January 7 and January 8 by American and indigenous platoons
without success.
Efforts to conduct a thorough search were limited because no one was able to pinpoint the precise location where Lancaster fell, and the area was under heavy enemy patrol. It was felt that there was a very high probability that
the enemy knew the fate of SP4 Lancaster, alive or dead.
Kenny is one of nearly 2500 Americans still missing, prisoner or unaccounted for in Southeast Asia. Reports relating to these Americans continue to mount, and many authorities believe there are hundreds still alive in
captivity today. The Vietnamese deny knowledge of Americans in Southeast Asia, and the U.S. Government only acknowledges the "possibility" that some remain.
It would be nothing short of miraculous if Kenny Lancaster survived falling 1000 feet into the jungle, but his family cannot mourn until it is known for certain that he is dead. They know someone has the answers. It is devastating to consider that he may have survived to know he was abandoned
to the enemy.
*~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~*
Notes from The Wall;
Kenneth gave it all while training to be a LRRP. His courage and determination speak well oif him!
Posted by: Hilan Jones
Relationship: We served together
Friday, December 29, 2000
Michael Brown
Florida
Mr. Lancaster's bracelet was worn for seven seasons by Tom Selleck in the television series Magnum, P.I. Because of this I became aware of the POW/MIA issue, and got involved at the age of 14 way back in 1984. Although he never knew, Kenneth Ray Lancaster brought much awareness to his story, and that of his Vietnam Brothers. Kenneth Ray Lancaster, you are remembered.
Mar 16, 2009
Manuel Pino B/2/8th Cav,1st Cav 68-69
mpjr54@msn. com
Fellow Army Vietnam Brother
E/50th Inf Rgt, 9th Inf Div
'Nor shall your Glory be forgot, While Fame her record keeps, Or Honor points to the hallowed spot, Where Valor proudly sleeps.' -by Theodore OHara
Aug 1, 2008
manny g
Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe
Union Gap, WA. 98903
"You are Remembered"
Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. "He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother". Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless You for your Sacrifice!!!
Mar 6, 2007
Melodie Allen
[email protected]
wore his POW bracelet
PO Box 1673
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 USA
I'm sorry I missed you
When I was in high school(1969-1973) my friends and I sent for POW bracelets. Mine was SSgt. Kenneth Lancaster. I have prayed every day that he might return to his home and family. I just found out today, March 15, 2000, that he was killed while missing. I'm so sorry for his friends and family that will never see him again. I feel a connection with him somehow, and would enjoy learning about him from people who knew him well. I myself did 20 years in the Navy, 1976-1996, and retired as a Chief Hospital Corpsman. My father was a Marine and my mother was in the Navy Hospital Corps, both during World War One. I'm sorry I missed you SSgt. Kenneth Lancaster. Rest in peace.
Wednesday, March 15, 2000
Bob Vorbroker
[email protected]
Wore his POW bracelet
Winston-Salem, NC
I wore SSgt Kenneth Lancaster's POW bracelet as a young man in the early 70s. I just found out today that he had been killed while still missing in action. My heart goes out to his family and friends. My thanks goes out to Kenneth for giving his life for his country.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Cindy Aguiar
[email protected]
Mr. Anderson's History Student
Sam Houston High School, 2000 Sam Houston Dr.
Arlington, Tx. 76014
My Adopted MIA
SSGT Kenneth Lancaster, my name is Cindy Aguiar. I'm a 2005 Junior @ Sam Houston High School in Arlington, Tx. As part of a class assignment on Vietnam MIA's, I learned your story and shared it with my classmates. I learned of your sacrafice and will remember you.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Janice Pugh
[email protected]
friend of my family
30348 HOLLY LANE
Delmar, MD 21875 USA
Never Forgotten
Kenny, as my family knew him was a young man with a huge future ahead of him. A dear friend of my brother, Bob,he cam to my house just before deployment and told my mother and I about the car he would have upon return. He had such a future to experience and yet was robbed. At the time of when he went missing, I searched through hundreds of bracelets until I found Kenny"s. We wore it in honor and hope of his return. He suffered the greatest sacrifice for me and hundreds of other Americans. Thank you is simply not enough. We will always remember you.
Saturday, August 21, 2004
Woody Marvel
[email protected]
High School Friend
P. O. Box 86
Hillsboro, OR 97123 USA
Jesus said ., I am the resurrection, and the life:
Kenny, I know the Lord, by grace, spared me the RVN tragedy PFC Ralph Simon and you experienced. I believe in faith that you both are in Heaven at muster with JESUS! John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. See you at the resurrection bro: Woody+Mary Marvel
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Cindy Fassler-Creasy
[email protected]
Thank you
I want you to know how much my family and I appreciate your sacrifice and the sacrifice of your loved ones. My father served in Korean and Vietnam. Because of you and men and women like you our country is the most powerful nation on this earth. I have always been a pound American, never disrespecting the decision our government officials made in sending our loved ones over to a foreign country in order to assist those persecuted by other more powerful governments. I wanted you to know especially on this day, how much you are still loved by this country and especially your family. May God bless your loved ones still here with us, may they know of his eternal love and mercy. Thank you and your family for making this the United States of America a nation we can be proud to call home. We salute you!
Thursday, March 06, 2003
Date of birth: 06/24/1946
MILITARY DATA
Service: Army of the United States
Grade at loss: E4
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Note: Promoted while in MIA status
ID No: 219424079
MOS: 11B40: Infantryman
Length Service: **
Unit: E CO, 50TH INFANTRY, 9TH INF DIV, USARV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: 10/17/1967
Incident Date: 01/03/1968
Casualty Date: 03/06/1978
Age at Loss: 31 (based on date declared dead)
Location: Khanh Hoa Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body not recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died while missing
Casualty Reason: Helicopter - Noncrew
Casualty Detail: Air loss or crash over land
ON THE WALL Panel 33E Line 029
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
Rank/Branch: SP4/US Army
Unit: Headquarters & Headquarters Company, LRRP, 9th Infantry Division
Date of Birth: 24 June 1946 (Washington DC)
Home City of Record: Silver Springs MD
Date of Loss: 03 January 1968
Country of Loss: South Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 122655N 1085844E (BP804769)
Status (in 1973): Missing In Action
Category: 2
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: UH1H
Refno: 0961
Source: Compiled from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W. NETWORK in 1998.
Other Personnel In Incident: (none missing)
SYNOPSIS: SP4 Kenneth R. Lancaster was a team leader assigned to Headquarters & Headquarters Company Long Range Reconnaissance Platoon (LRRP) of the 9th Infantry Division. On January 3, 1968, Lancasters LRRP team was being extracted by helicopter from a designated pickup point in Khan Hoa Province, South Vietnam, near the city of Duc My.
About one minute after takeoff, a member of the team saw SP4 Lancaster hanging onto the right skid of the aircraft as the aircraft continued to gain altitude. The pilot was informed and requested to land. When it became evident that the pilot was not able to land due to rough terrain, immediate efforts were made to lower a rope. However, before the rescue attempt could
be made, Lancaster fell from the skid of the aircraft while the helicopter was at an altitude of 1000 to 1500 feet above the ground.
The area in which Lancaster fell had heavy vegetation and a triple canopy jungle, creating a slim possibility that the trees and heavy vegetation may have broken Lancaster's fall to some degree. The area was searched that day and again on January 7 and January 8 by American and indigenous platoons
without success.
Efforts to conduct a thorough search were limited because no one was able to pinpoint the precise location where Lancaster fell, and the area was under heavy enemy patrol. It was felt that there was a very high probability that
the enemy knew the fate of SP4 Lancaster, alive or dead.
Kenny is one of nearly 2500 Americans still missing, prisoner or unaccounted for in Southeast Asia. Reports relating to these Americans continue to mount, and many authorities believe there are hundreds still alive in
captivity today. The Vietnamese deny knowledge of Americans in Southeast Asia, and the U.S. Government only acknowledges the "possibility" that some remain.
It would be nothing short of miraculous if Kenny Lancaster survived falling 1000 feet into the jungle, but his family cannot mourn until it is known for certain that he is dead. They know someone has the answers. It is devastating to consider that he may have survived to know he was abandoned
to the enemy.
*~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~*
Notes from The Wall;
Kenneth gave it all while training to be a LRRP. His courage and determination speak well oif him!
Posted by: Hilan Jones
Relationship: We served together
Friday, December 29, 2000
Michael Brown
Florida
Mr. Lancaster's bracelet was worn for seven seasons by Tom Selleck in the television series Magnum, P.I. Because of this I became aware of the POW/MIA issue, and got involved at the age of 14 way back in 1984. Although he never knew, Kenneth Ray Lancaster brought much awareness to his story, and that of his Vietnam Brothers. Kenneth Ray Lancaster, you are remembered.
Mar 16, 2009
Manuel Pino B/2/8th Cav,1st Cav 68-69
mpjr54@msn. com
Fellow Army Vietnam Brother
E/50th Inf Rgt, 9th Inf Div
'Nor shall your Glory be forgot, While Fame her record keeps, Or Honor points to the hallowed spot, Where Valor proudly sleeps.' -by Theodore OHara
Aug 1, 2008
manny g
Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe
Union Gap, WA. 98903
"You are Remembered"
Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. "He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother". Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless You for your Sacrifice!!!
Mar 6, 2007
Melodie Allen
[email protected]
wore his POW bracelet
PO Box 1673
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 USA
I'm sorry I missed you
When I was in high school(1969-1973) my friends and I sent for POW bracelets. Mine was SSgt. Kenneth Lancaster. I have prayed every day that he might return to his home and family. I just found out today, March 15, 2000, that he was killed while missing. I'm so sorry for his friends and family that will never see him again. I feel a connection with him somehow, and would enjoy learning about him from people who knew him well. I myself did 20 years in the Navy, 1976-1996, and retired as a Chief Hospital Corpsman. My father was a Marine and my mother was in the Navy Hospital Corps, both during World War One. I'm sorry I missed you SSgt. Kenneth Lancaster. Rest in peace.
Wednesday, March 15, 2000
Bob Vorbroker
[email protected]
Wore his POW bracelet
Winston-Salem, NC
I wore SSgt Kenneth Lancaster's POW bracelet as a young man in the early 70s. I just found out today that he had been killed while still missing in action. My heart goes out to his family and friends. My thanks goes out to Kenneth for giving his life for his country.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Cindy Aguiar
[email protected]
Mr. Anderson's History Student
Sam Houston High School, 2000 Sam Houston Dr.
Arlington, Tx. 76014
My Adopted MIA
SSGT Kenneth Lancaster, my name is Cindy Aguiar. I'm a 2005 Junior @ Sam Houston High School in Arlington, Tx. As part of a class assignment on Vietnam MIA's, I learned your story and shared it with my classmates. I learned of your sacrafice and will remember you.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Janice Pugh
[email protected]
friend of my family
30348 HOLLY LANE
Delmar, MD 21875 USA
Never Forgotten
Kenny, as my family knew him was a young man with a huge future ahead of him. A dear friend of my brother, Bob,he cam to my house just before deployment and told my mother and I about the car he would have upon return. He had such a future to experience and yet was robbed. At the time of when he went missing, I searched through hundreds of bracelets until I found Kenny"s. We wore it in honor and hope of his return. He suffered the greatest sacrifice for me and hundreds of other Americans. Thank you is simply not enough. We will always remember you.
Saturday, August 21, 2004
Woody Marvel
[email protected]
High School Friend
P. O. Box 86
Hillsboro, OR 97123 USA
Jesus said ., I am the resurrection, and the life:
Kenny, I know the Lord, by grace, spared me the RVN tragedy PFC Ralph Simon and you experienced. I believe in faith that you both are in Heaven at muster with JESUS! John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. See you at the resurrection bro: Woody+Mary Marvel
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Cindy Fassler-Creasy
[email protected]
Thank you
I want you to know how much my family and I appreciate your sacrifice and the sacrifice of your loved ones. My father served in Korean and Vietnam. Because of you and men and women like you our country is the most powerful nation on this earth. I have always been a pound American, never disrespecting the decision our government officials made in sending our loved ones over to a foreign country in order to assist those persecuted by other more powerful governments. I wanted you to know especially on this day, how much you are still loved by this country and especially your family. May God bless your loved ones still here with us, may they know of his eternal love and mercy. Thank you and your family for making this the United States of America a nation we can be proud to call home. We salute you!
Thursday, March 06, 2003
Home of Record: Silver Spring, MD
Date of birth: 06/24/1946
MILITARY DATA
Service: Army of the United States
Grade at loss: E4
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Note: Promoted while in MIA status
ID No: 219424079
MOS: 11B40: Infantryman
Length Service: **
Unit: E CO, 50TH INFANTRY, 9TH INF DIV, USARV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: 10/17/1967
Incident Date: 01/03/1968
Casualty Date: 03/06/1978
Age at Loss: 31 (based on date declared dead)
Location: Khanh Hoa Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body not recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died while missing
Casualty Reason: Helicopter - Noncrew
Casualty Detail: Air loss or crash over land
ON THE WALL Panel 33E Line 029
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
Rank/Branch: SP4/US Army
Unit: Headquarters & Headquarters Company, LRRP, 9th Infantry Division
Date of Birth: 24 June 1946 (Washington DC)
Home City of Record: Silver Springs MD
Date of Loss: 03 January 1968
Country of Loss: South Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 122655N 1085844E (BP804769)
Status (in 1973): Missing In Action
Category: 2
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: UH1H
Refno: 0961
Source: Compiled from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W. NETWORK in 1998.
Other Personnel In Incident: (none missing)
SYNOPSIS: SP4 Kenneth R. Lancaster was a team leader assigned to Headquarters & Headquarters Company Long Range Reconnaissance Platoon (LRRP) of the 9th Infantry Division. On January 3, 1968, Lancasters LRRP team was being extracted by helicopter from a designated pickup point in Khan Hoa Province, South Vietnam, near the city of Duc My.
About one minute after takeoff, a member of the team saw SP4 Lancaster hanging onto the right skid of the aircraft as the aircraft continued to gain altitude. The pilot was informed and requested to land. When it became evident that the pilot was not able to land due to rough terrain, immediate efforts were made to lower a rope. However, before the rescue attempt could
be made, Lancaster fell from the skid of the aircraft while the helicopter was at an altitude of 1000 to 1500 feet above the ground.
The area in which Lancaster fell had heavy vegetation and a triple canopy jungle, creating a slim possibility that the trees and heavy vegetation may have broken Lancaster's fall to some degree. The area was searched that day and again on January 7 and January 8 by American and indigenous platoons
without success.
Efforts to conduct a thorough search were limited because no one was able to pinpoint the precise location where Lancaster fell, and the area was under heavy enemy patrol. It was felt that there was a very high probability that
the enemy knew the fate of SP4 Lancaster, alive or dead.
Kenny is one of nearly 2500 Americans still missing, prisoner or unaccounted for in Southeast Asia. Reports relating to these Americans continue to mount, and many authorities believe there are hundreds still alive in
captivity today. The Vietnamese deny knowledge of Americans in Southeast Asia, and the U.S. Government only acknowledges the "possibility" that some remain.
It would be nothing short of miraculous if Kenny Lancaster survived falling 1000 feet into the jungle, but his family cannot mourn until it is known for certain that he is dead. They know someone has the answers. It is devastating to consider that he may have survived to know he was abandoned
to the enemy.
*~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~*
Notes from The Wall;
Kenneth gave it all while training to be a LRRP. His courage and determination speak well oif him!
Posted by: Hilan Jones
Relationship: We served together
Friday, December 29, 2000
Michael Brown
Florida
Mr. Lancaster's bracelet was worn for seven seasons by Tom Selleck in the television series Magnum, P.I. Because of this I became aware of the POW/MIA issue, and got involved at the age of 14 way back in 1984. Although he never knew, Kenneth Ray Lancaster brought much awareness to his story, and that of his Vietnam Brothers. Kenneth Ray Lancaster, you are remembered.
Mar 16, 2009
Manuel Pino B/2/8th Cav,1st Cav 68-69
mpjr54@msn. com
Fellow Army Vietnam Brother
E/50th Inf Rgt, 9th Inf Div
'Nor shall your Glory be forgot, While Fame her record keeps, Or Honor points to the hallowed spot, Where Valor proudly sleeps.' -by Theodore OHara
Aug 1, 2008
manny g
Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe
Union Gap, WA. 98903
"You are Remembered"
Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. "He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother". Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless You for your Sacrifice!!!
Mar 6, 2007
Melodie Allen
[email protected]
wore his POW bracelet
PO Box 1673
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 USA
I'm sorry I missed you
When I was in high school(1969-1973) my friends and I sent for POW bracelets. Mine was SSgt. Kenneth Lancaster. I have prayed every day that he might return to his home and family. I just found out today, March 15, 2000, that he was killed while missing. I'm so sorry for his friends and family that will never see him again. I feel a connection with him somehow, and would enjoy learning about him from people who knew him well. I myself did 20 years in the Navy, 1976-1996, and retired as a Chief Hospital Corpsman. My father was a Marine and my mother was in the Navy Hospital Corps, both during World War One. I'm sorry I missed you SSgt. Kenneth Lancaster. Rest in peace.
Wednesday, March 15, 2000
Bob Vorbroker
[email protected]
Wore his POW bracelet
Winston-Salem, NC
I wore SSgt Kenneth Lancaster's POW bracelet as a young man in the early 70s. I just found out today that he had been killed while still missing in action. My heart goes out to his family and friends. My thanks goes out to Kenneth for giving his life for his country.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Cindy Aguiar
[email protected]
Mr. Anderson's History Student
Sam Houston High School, 2000 Sam Houston Dr.
Arlington, Tx. 76014
My Adopted MIA
SSGT Kenneth Lancaster, my name is Cindy Aguiar. I'm a 2005 Junior @ Sam Houston High School in Arlington, Tx. As part of a class assignment on Vietnam MIA's, I learned your story and shared it with my classmates. I learned of your sacrafice and will remember you.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Janice Pugh
[email protected]
friend of my family
30348 HOLLY LANE
Delmar, MD 21875 USA
Never Forgotten
Kenny, as my family knew him was a young man with a huge future ahead of him. A dear friend of my brother, Bob,he cam to my house just before deployment and told my mother and I about the car he would have upon return. He had such a future to experience and yet was robbed. At the time of when he went missing, I searched through hundreds of bracelets until I found Kenny"s. We wore it in honor and hope of his return. He suffered the greatest sacrifice for me and hundreds of other Americans. Thank you is simply not enough. We will always remember you.
Saturday, August 21, 2004
Woody Marvel
[email protected]
High School Friend
P. O. Box 86
Hillsboro, OR 97123 USA
Jesus said ., I am the resurrection, and the life:
Kenny, I know the Lord, by grace, spared me the RVN tragedy PFC Ralph Simon and you experienced. I believe in faith that you both are in Heaven at muster with JESUS! John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. See you at the resurrection bro: Woody+Mary Marvel
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Cindy Fassler-Creasy
[email protected]
Thank you
I want you to know how much my family and I appreciate your sacrifice and the sacrifice of your loved ones. My father served in Korean and Vietnam. Because of you and men and women like you our country is the most powerful nation on this earth. I have always been a pound American, never disrespecting the decision our government officials made in sending our loved ones over to a foreign country in order to assist those persecuted by other more powerful governments. I wanted you to know especially on this day, how much you are still loved by this country and especially your family. May God bless your loved ones still here with us, may they know of his eternal love and mercy. Thank you and your family for making this the United States of America a nation we can be proud to call home. We salute you!
Thursday, March 06, 2003
Date of birth: 06/24/1946
MILITARY DATA
Service: Army of the United States
Grade at loss: E4
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Note: Promoted while in MIA status
ID No: 219424079
MOS: 11B40: Infantryman
Length Service: **
Unit: E CO, 50TH INFANTRY, 9TH INF DIV, USARV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: 10/17/1967
Incident Date: 01/03/1968
Casualty Date: 03/06/1978
Age at Loss: 31 (based on date declared dead)
Location: Khanh Hoa Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body not recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died while missing
Casualty Reason: Helicopter - Noncrew
Casualty Detail: Air loss or crash over land
ON THE WALL Panel 33E Line 029
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
Rank/Branch: SP4/US Army
Unit: Headquarters & Headquarters Company, LRRP, 9th Infantry Division
Date of Birth: 24 June 1946 (Washington DC)
Home City of Record: Silver Springs MD
Date of Loss: 03 January 1968
Country of Loss: South Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 122655N 1085844E (BP804769)
Status (in 1973): Missing In Action
Category: 2
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: UH1H
Refno: 0961
Source: Compiled from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W. NETWORK in 1998.
Other Personnel In Incident: (none missing)
SYNOPSIS: SP4 Kenneth R. Lancaster was a team leader assigned to Headquarters & Headquarters Company Long Range Reconnaissance Platoon (LRRP) of the 9th Infantry Division. On January 3, 1968, Lancasters LRRP team was being extracted by helicopter from a designated pickup point in Khan Hoa Province, South Vietnam, near the city of Duc My.
About one minute after takeoff, a member of the team saw SP4 Lancaster hanging onto the right skid of the aircraft as the aircraft continued to gain altitude. The pilot was informed and requested to land. When it became evident that the pilot was not able to land due to rough terrain, immediate efforts were made to lower a rope. However, before the rescue attempt could
be made, Lancaster fell from the skid of the aircraft while the helicopter was at an altitude of 1000 to 1500 feet above the ground.
The area in which Lancaster fell had heavy vegetation and a triple canopy jungle, creating a slim possibility that the trees and heavy vegetation may have broken Lancaster's fall to some degree. The area was searched that day and again on January 7 and January 8 by American and indigenous platoons
without success.
Efforts to conduct a thorough search were limited because no one was able to pinpoint the precise location where Lancaster fell, and the area was under heavy enemy patrol. It was felt that there was a very high probability that
the enemy knew the fate of SP4 Lancaster, alive or dead.
Kenny is one of nearly 2500 Americans still missing, prisoner or unaccounted for in Southeast Asia. Reports relating to these Americans continue to mount, and many authorities believe there are hundreds still alive in
captivity today. The Vietnamese deny knowledge of Americans in Southeast Asia, and the U.S. Government only acknowledges the "possibility" that some remain.
It would be nothing short of miraculous if Kenny Lancaster survived falling 1000 feet into the jungle, but his family cannot mourn until it is known for certain that he is dead. They know someone has the answers. It is devastating to consider that he may have survived to know he was abandoned
to the enemy.
*~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~*
Notes from The Wall;
Kenneth gave it all while training to be a LRRP. His courage and determination speak well oif him!
Posted by: Hilan Jones
Relationship: We served together
Friday, December 29, 2000
Michael Brown
Florida
Mr. Lancaster's bracelet was worn for seven seasons by Tom Selleck in the television series Magnum, P.I. Because of this I became aware of the POW/MIA issue, and got involved at the age of 14 way back in 1984. Although he never knew, Kenneth Ray Lancaster brought much awareness to his story, and that of his Vietnam Brothers. Kenneth Ray Lancaster, you are remembered.
Mar 16, 2009
Manuel Pino B/2/8th Cav,1st Cav 68-69
mpjr54@msn. com
Fellow Army Vietnam Brother
E/50th Inf Rgt, 9th Inf Div
'Nor shall your Glory be forgot, While Fame her record keeps, Or Honor points to the hallowed spot, Where Valor proudly sleeps.' -by Theodore OHara
Aug 1, 2008
manny g
Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe
Union Gap, WA. 98903
"You are Remembered"
Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. "He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother". Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless You for your Sacrifice!!!
Mar 6, 2007
Melodie Allen
[email protected]
wore his POW bracelet
PO Box 1673
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 USA
I'm sorry I missed you
When I was in high school(1969-1973) my friends and I sent for POW bracelets. Mine was SSgt. Kenneth Lancaster. I have prayed every day that he might return to his home and family. I just found out today, March 15, 2000, that he was killed while missing. I'm so sorry for his friends and family that will never see him again. I feel a connection with him somehow, and would enjoy learning about him from people who knew him well. I myself did 20 years in the Navy, 1976-1996, and retired as a Chief Hospital Corpsman. My father was a Marine and my mother was in the Navy Hospital Corps, both during World War One. I'm sorry I missed you SSgt. Kenneth Lancaster. Rest in peace.
Wednesday, March 15, 2000
Bob Vorbroker
[email protected]
Wore his POW bracelet
Winston-Salem, NC
I wore SSgt Kenneth Lancaster's POW bracelet as a young man in the early 70s. I just found out today that he had been killed while still missing in action. My heart goes out to his family and friends. My thanks goes out to Kenneth for giving his life for his country.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Cindy Aguiar
[email protected]
Mr. Anderson's History Student
Sam Houston High School, 2000 Sam Houston Dr.
Arlington, Tx. 76014
My Adopted MIA
SSGT Kenneth Lancaster, my name is Cindy Aguiar. I'm a 2005 Junior @ Sam Houston High School in Arlington, Tx. As part of a class assignment on Vietnam MIA's, I learned your story and shared it with my classmates. I learned of your sacrafice and will remember you.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Janice Pugh
[email protected]
friend of my family
30348 HOLLY LANE
Delmar, MD 21875 USA
Never Forgotten
Kenny, as my family knew him was a young man with a huge future ahead of him. A dear friend of my brother, Bob,he cam to my house just before deployment and told my mother and I about the car he would have upon return. He had such a future to experience and yet was robbed. At the time of when he went missing, I searched through hundreds of bracelets until I found Kenny"s. We wore it in honor and hope of his return. He suffered the greatest sacrifice for me and hundreds of other Americans. Thank you is simply not enough. We will always remember you.
Saturday, August 21, 2004
Woody Marvel
[email protected]
High School Friend
P. O. Box 86
Hillsboro, OR 97123 USA
Jesus said ., I am the resurrection, and the life:
Kenny, I know the Lord, by grace, spared me the RVN tragedy PFC Ralph Simon and you experienced. I believe in faith that you both are in Heaven at muster with JESUS! John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. See you at the resurrection bro: Woody+Mary Marvel
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Cindy Fassler-Creasy
[email protected]
Thank you
I want you to know how much my family and I appreciate your sacrifice and the sacrifice of your loved ones. My father served in Korean and Vietnam. Because of you and men and women like you our country is the most powerful nation on this earth. I have always been a pound American, never disrespecting the decision our government officials made in sending our loved ones over to a foreign country in order to assist those persecuted by other more powerful governments. I wanted you to know especially on this day, how much you are still loved by this country and especially your family. May God bless your loved ones still here with us, may they know of his eternal love and mercy. Thank you and your family for making this the United States of America a nation we can be proud to call home. We salute you!
Thursday, March 06, 2003
Bio by: Karen Hopkins
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