Missions in Laos was established to:
- continue research and maintain awareness of recovery efforts of MIA U.S. servicemen, and connect with our community to spread awareness of the MIA issue
- assist you with planning a trip to Laos because of your connection to someone who is MIA missing-in-action). You may have a desire to travel to Laos because of a connection to the Vietnam War and specifically “The Secret War in Laos” by your relationship to a loved one who served and was or is still MIA, Maybe you are a veteran who served in this war and has an interest in returning to Laos.
- provide humanitarian aid to remote villages in Laos
The background of Missions in Laos began while looking into a past mission. Susan who is the founder of Missions in Laos has spent a decade researching a USAF pilot MIA in Laos since 1969. She has a POW-MIA bracelet for over 50 years with the pilot’s name and date of loss…
“Lt. Col. Carter Luna, 3-10-69” inscribed on it.
In furtherance of her present day research Susan became acquainted with Chris Corbett, owner/operator of Lao Adv Tours in Luang Prabang, Laos. In March 2023 and 2024 she hired Chris as her guide during her trips to Laos. With Chris’ knowledge of the Savannakhet Province they were able to find the last known position of Colonel Carter Luna when he became missing-in-action in Laos on 10 MAR 69.
an excavated crash site of a USAF plane
While traveling through a remote area of the Savannakhet Province along with a guide/translator, Chris and Susan also visited two crash sites. These sites had been excavated and the remains of two USAF pilots were later identified and ultimately repatriated to the U.S.
For details about “Mission: Tours”
please click here.
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For details about “Mission: MIA Recovery” please click here.
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Mission in Laos believes it is important to provide humanitarian aid in Laos villages. The past has affected the present day lives of people in Laos villages, and has an influence on their future.
For details about “Mission: Humanitarian aid”
please click here.
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typical modes of transportation in remote Laos
Susan has taken hundreds of photographs during her trips to Laos including U.S. military aircraft crash sites, local villages and the people who live there, and photos specifically related to Colonel Carter Luna’s loss.
We invite you to visit the “Photo gallery” page by clicking here.
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In 2024 Susan created a Go Fund Me account as a source for donations to provide humanitarian support to people in a remote village.
This supports my goal of “Mission: Humanitarian aid”.
CLICK HERE: https://gofund.me/2226af18
UPDATE FOR 2025
Susan will be returning to Laos in March 2025 to continue searching for answers about the loss of Colonel Luna. Although in late 2024 a report was released to his family by the DPAA about a site visit in 2017 to a possible burial location it might not be related.
Additionally, Susan is studying a few other losses in the same area as the colonel and will be further investigating possible crash sites and last known locations of crew members. At home she stays busy analyzing losses in Laos and documenting findings on charts/spreadsheets. It’s also important to her to network with like-minded people sharing the same interest in investigating MIA losses. When the opportunity arises she will continue to give presentations to veterans organizations and participate in events for veterans.
In March humanitarian aid will be provided again to the people in Ban Kok Mak. It will also be an opportunity to gather information in furtherance of Missions in Laos project to provide school uniforms to the children in the village.
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A SPECIAL HONOR WHEN…
Susan was invited to be the guest speaker on Veterans Day 2023 at the A-1 Skyraider Pilot Association in Ft. Walton Beach, FL. Captain George Marrett, USAF, Ret. invited her to the reunion where they gave a presentation to more than 100 pilots and other service members. Captain Marrett described the rescue mission he led on 10 MAR 69 after Colonel Carter Luna was shot down in central Laos. Susan gave a detailed presentation about her research of Colonel Luna, and her trips to Laos. They received a standing ovation which indicated they were well received by this group of courageous and dedicated men. A-1 pilots flew combat missions in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and also were a main element of search and rescue missions.
Susan: “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me but maybe I’ll be invited to the next reunion in 2025 and have updated information to share.”
This is a link to the video of the presentation on YouTube.
(apx. 1 hr. 20 min. in length)
Susan with Captain George Marrett, USAF, Ret.
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OVER 1,500 reasons to continue to search
1,5743
MIA servicemembers UNACCOUNTED-FOR from the
VIETNAM WAR
as of 09 JAN 25*
includes
280+
MIA service members UNACCOUNTED-FOR in LAOS from the
VIETNAM WAR
as of 31 DEC 24**
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THIS WEBSITE IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THE U.S. SERVICE MEMBERS WHO ARE STILL
UNACCOUNTED-FOR FROM THE VIETNAM WAR,
AND SPECIFICALLY IN REMEMBERANCE OF:
COLONEL CARTER P. LUNA
USAF
KIA/BNR (killed-in-action/body not recovered)
10 MAR 69
Savannakhet Province near Ban Kok Mak, Laos
“He is the reason that I’ve gone there, he is the reason I will continue to return there.”
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CONTACT SUSAN:
To contact me please e-mail or phone me.
I have deleted the “Contact me” page due
to the high volume of spam I receive.
E-MAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 828.808.1609
Click this link to my Facebook page for interesting information
that I post on a regular basis
https://www.facebook.com/missions.in.laos.past.present.future
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*Source: DPAA
*11 are in a “non-recoverable” status
Website designed by: Susan K. Crosby
Photographs by: Susan K. Crosby unless otherwise credited