On March 16, 1968, three American Marines departed on a fishing trip from a riverbank near the Da Dong Bridge, in Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam. Members of the bridge security platoon reported they observed the three men inside the boat just southwest of the bridge. This was the last time anyone saw the three men, and when they did not return from the trip they were reported missing. Immediate searches for the missing Marines were unsuccessful. On March 21, the floating body of one of the missing men was found just west of the bridge, but the other two men were never found.

Private First Class David Wayne Erickson entered the U.S. Marine Corps from Minnesota and was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was not located following the fishing trip and after the incident, the Marine Corps posthumously promoted PFC Erickson to the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSgt). Today, Staff Sergeant Erickson is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual's case to be in the analytical category of Non-recoverable.

If you are a family member of this serviceman, DPAA can provide you with additional information and analysis of your case. Please contact your casualty office representative.