Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Leslie Hart entered the U.S. Air Force from Wyoming and served with the 1st Air Commando Squadron. On February 25, 1967, he piloted a single-seat A-1E Skyraider (tail number 52-132625, call sign "Hobo 36") in a flight of two on an armed reconnaissance mission over Laos. During the mission, while proceeding up a valley, Lt Col Hart's aircraft crashed into a hillside in the vicinity of (GC) XC 987 995. It exploded and burned on impact. His wingman saw no parachute and no sign of survival at the crash site. Lieutenant Colonel Hart remains unaccounted for. Today, Lieutenant Colonel Hart 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 Active Pursuit.

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.