On March 19, 1968, an O-1G Bird Dog (tail number 51-4899, call sign "Walt 33") with a crew of two took off from Nha Trang Air Base, South Vietnam, to perform a visual reconnaissance mission over the area north of the base. While on the mission, "Walt 33" missed a scheduled radio check, prompting both visual and electronic searches for the aircraft. Search efforts continued over the next four days but found no sign of the aircraft or its crew. After the war, the O-1G's pilot was identified among remains returned to U.S. custody; however, the observer is still unaccounted for.

Airman First Class (A1C) Victor Romero, who joined the U.S. Air Force from California, was a member of the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, and was the observer aboard the Bird Dog when it went missing. He was not recovered following the aircraft's disappearance. The Air Force posthumously promoted A1C Romero to Chief Master Sergeant. Today, Chief Master Sergeant Romero 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.