James Douglas Locker, Sergeant, USAF (KIA)
February 25, 1947 – June 09, 1968

He was a Vietnam War Era casualty on June 9, 1968. ★ He served with honor in the United States Air Force. ★ Remembered by the people of Ohio ★ May his example inspire us to be strong and responsible global citizens. We can do great things. Together.

James Douglas Locker was born on February 25, 1947. According to our records Ohio was his home or enlistment state and Shelby County included within the archival record. We have Sidney listed as the city.

He had enlisted in the Air Force. Entered via Regular Military. Served during the Vietnam War. He began his tour on June 9, 1968. He had the rank of Sergeant. Served with 7th Air Force, 37th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron.

Sergeant Locker was a member of the 37th Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron. On June 9, 1968, he was a crew member of a Sikorsky Sea King Search and Rescue Helicopter (HH-3E) on a rescue mission near Thua Thien 22 miles northwest of A Shau Valley in Laos, when the helicopter was shot down. His remains were recovered on February 14, 2003 and identified on September 17, 2003.

The Battle of Khe Sanh was conducted in northwestern Quaag Tri Province, South Vietnam with roots in 1967, and extending viciously throughout 1968. It was the longest, deadliest and most controversial battle of the Vietnam War.

During the battle, a massive aerial bombardment campaign (Operation Niagara) was launched by the United States. Over 100,000 tons of bombs. Five tons of bombs for every one of the 20,000 NVA soldiers in the fight. President Johnson was determined to hold Khe Sanh at all costs. The jungles surrounding Khe Sanh were burned and bombed barren and Khe Sanh became the major news headline coming out of Vietnam in late March 1968. The cost on American lives lost has been estimated to be around 1000 with NVA loses ten times that number.

James Douglas Locker is buried or memorialized at Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location.

James is honored on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 58w, Line 10.

COMMENDATIONS

★ Purple Heart★ National Defense Service Medal★ Vietnam Campaign Medal★ Vietnam Service Medal★ Air Force Presidential Unit Citation★ Vietnam Gallantry Cross★ Air Force Good Conduct Medal