On June 3, 1967, a B-57 Canberra (tail number 53-3862, call sign "Tanner") with two crew members embarked on a solo armed road reconnaissance mission over enemy targets in Quang Binh Province, North Vietnam. The pilot made radio contact to request permission to enter North Vietnamese airspace, but never made contact again. The aircraft failed to return to base following the mission and was declared missing. There was no information available regarding the aircraft's possible location, preventing effective searches for a crash site, and further attempts to locate the aircraft or crew were unsuccessful. 

Major Theodore Springston Jr., who joined the U.S. Air Force from California, served with the 13th Bomb Squadron. He was the pilot of the Canberra when it disappeared, and his remains have not been recovered. After the incident, the Air Force promoted Maj Springston to the rank of Colonel. Today, Colonel Springston 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.