The mission was obvious. Leader Gerald Ford purchased a helicopter full of 27 Marine corps to save a united states cargo ship, the SS Mayaguez, that were overpowered by the Khmer Rouge, KDVR.com reported.

"We happen to be awaiting years to discover what really became of Jim."

- Delouise Gurra, the Marine's sister

It had been May 1975, under two days following the fall of Saigon, and the Marine helicopter required on the hail of bullets fired from the ground and quick motorboats. The helicopter crashed. Of those aboard, 13 were saved and the other 14 were declared missing, including Pfc. James Jacques, who had been from La Junta in southeastern Colorado and every one of 18 years of age at the time.

It had been the last combat incident from the war and Ford had known as the attack an action of piracy.

The U.S. government could identify basically four Marine corps wiped out in the crash, but tend to not positively identify Jacques.

"We were always wondering what went down to him, Delouise Gurra, the Marine's sister, told KDVR.com. "Maybe he would be a prisoner of war."

Years passed, as well as in 1995 there is a Cambodian guy who was simply transporting Jacques dog tag for several years, Gurra stated. The guy handed the dog tag to U.S. authorities. Additionally that year, Jacques' remains were considered to happen to be situated underwater.

"That gave us restored hope," she stated.

With the developments in Paternity testing, the Defense Department told Jacques family in August it's in a position to identify his remains 17 years after the discovery.

Jacques is going to be hidden Tuesday at Fort Logan National Graveyard in Colorado.

"We happen to be awaiting years to discover what really became of Jim," stated Gurra, who had been on the tarmac at Colorado Airport Terminal on Monday to have an American Air carriers plane transporting his remains. "Thankfully hes home now."

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The Connected Press led for this report