
                         Anthropoligical Summary
                             CILHI 0071-89


These remains were recovered from a joint U.S./LAO excavation that took place
in March of 1989.  The report describing the recovery operation, 01/CIL/89
(Laos) can be found in this case file.

Upon arriving at USA-CILHI, the dental remains were assigned the accession
number CILHI 0070-89 and the post cranial or non-dental remains assigned
CILHI 0071-89.  Two teeth were segregated from CILHI 0070-89 and were
radiographically identified as belonging to an individual from the REFNO 1333
incident.  The Dental Summary Report for CILHI 0070-89A is covered in a
separate report.  Refer to the Dental Summary Report for CILHI 0070-89 which
is included in this case file.

Methodology

After the systematic excavation of the skeletal and dental remains, and
associated personal effects, these materials were taken to the U.S. Army
Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii (USA-CILHI).  The remains were
placed in plastic bags with the grid locations marked on the outside of each
bag.  So as not to comingle the remains, the remains from each bag were
washed with water and allowed to air dry.  Once dry, the grid location from
provenience would not be lost.

The bone fragments from one grid location were compared to bone fragments
from another grid location in an attempt to make an anatomical determinations
of the type of bone that was recovered.  Only two bone fragments could be
articulated with each other.  A possible shaft fragments from N4 E2 could be
reconstructed with a fragment from N6 W2.

Condition of Remains

These remains are very incomplete and in poor condition.  There was a total
of 145 bone fragments recovered.  The largest fragment measures 1.7cm
(1.9 x .7).  Perimortem burning is evident on the majority (91 percent) of
bone fragments.  Color variations on the fragments vary from dark black to
white.  Transverse fracture lines, warping, and longitudinal cracking can be
observed on the burned fragments that are present.  The non-dental remains
that were recovered are shown in Photographs 1-8 at tghe end of this report.
A table showing the overall relationship of the dental and skeletal remains
is on page 3.

Race

Race could not be determined from the bone fragments that are present.  The
skeletal fragments are too incomplete to permit an assessment of race.

Sex

Sex could not be determined from the bone fragments that are present.  The
skeletal material was too incomplete to permit a reliable assessment of sex.

Age

The incomplete skeletal material prevented any accurate estimations of age.
From the few bone fragments that could be identified, they appear to be
skeletally adult.

Stature and Muscularity

Stature and muscularity could not be determined due to the lack of an intact
long bone.  No estimations of stature could be made since none of the
skeletal material recovered could be assigned to a specific race and sex.

Healed Fractures, Pathologies and Anomalies

A number of the bone fragments displayed signs of possible or probable
perimortem fractures.  These breaks had sharp and diagonal edges.  No
skeletal anomalies were observed.

Summary

Due to the condition and paucity of skeletal remains that were recovered from
01/CIL/89 (Laos), no determinations can be made from the post cranial
material.

Jason I. Ota, B.A.       1 Nov 89
Anthropologist


 RECOMMENDATION


    CILHI 0070-89
    CILHI 0071-89

    PROPOSED IDENTIFICATION: CILHI GROUP REMAINS 5-89

    ACQUISITION

    Analysis of all the remains recovered from the REFNO 1333 crash 
    site in Savannakhet Province, Laos, has now been completed. The 
    excavation was a joint US/Lao project 18-26 March 1989. One of 
    the nine (7 US Army, 2 VNAF) manifested personnel on board this 
    helicopter has been individually identified, based solely on 
    dentition (see case file CILHI 0070-89A). No other individual 
    identifications can be accomplished, due in large part to the 
    amount (145 skeletal fragments and 17 teeth or portions of teeth) 
    and nature (calcined fragments) of the recovered remains. No 
    dental radiographs are available for two of the US passengers nor 
    for the two VNAF crew members. The exact number of persons 
    represented by the remains cannot be determined from the remains. 
    The unidentified dental material is designated CILHI 0070-89, and 
    the skeletal material is CILHI 0071-89. Dental, anthropological, 
    casualty and field reports are enclosed.

    SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

    The crash and subsequent explosion were witnessed at close range, 
    the site was aerially inspected, and no evidence of survivors was 
    seen. Reports indicate scavenging of wreckage and removal of 
    remains in the years since the incident. After seven days of 
    excavation, it is believed that these are the only recoverable 
    remains from the site. Owing to their condition and paucity, they 
    cannot be segregated further nor identified as individuals.

    RECOMMENDATION

    In view of the commingled, fragmented, incomplete and 
    unidentifiable nature of these remains, it is recommended that 
    they be declared the only recoverable remains (other than the 
    dentition identified as SP/5 FITTS) of the nine occupants of the 
    CH-34 helicopter associated with the REFNO 1333 incident.

    The are the following:

         MAJ SAMUEL K. TOOMEY, III US ARMY
         1LT RAYMOND C. STACKS US ARMY
         SSG KLAUS D. SCHOLZ US ARMY
         SP5 RICHARD A. FITTS US ARMY
         SGT ARTHUR E. BADER, JR. US ARMY
         SP4 MICHAEL H. MEIN US ARMY
         SP4 GARY R. LABOHN US ARMY
         2 UNKNOWN VIETNAMESE CREWMEMBERS VN AIR FORCE

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