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Closure finally comes for MIA soldier’s family
Updated: July 8, 2012 8:12AM
My brother, Cpt. George Duncan Macdonald, of Evanston, was from a family of eight brothers and one sister.
Six of my brothers served in the military.
George’s twin brother, Chris, joined the Air Force after he graduated from high school.
George went to Ohio State University and joined ROTC. He received track awards and was the 16th best freshman college runner in the United States.
He was recognized as a leader and became “Student Commandant” of his ROTC unit.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio State in March of 1971.
At graduation, he received the “Airman of the Year Award.”
He entered the USAF in June of 1971 and his tour in Vietnam began on July 25, 1972.
On Christmas Eve in 1972, the doorbell rang and an officer told us George’s plane was shot down.
Within five months on his tour, George was missing.
Mother kept the MIA/POW issues in front of the politicians and signaled our armed forces that we stand behind those who serve — past, present and future.
In February 1985, after 13 years in trying to get an accounting, my mother died during open-heart surgery on the very day they were finally excavating the site for the remains of my brother. The lab results were inconclusive.
She fought for an accounting to the very end of her life.
He was 22 when he gave his life for our country.
After 40 years, we still do not have an accounting.
It was time to have a memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery, and that service was finally performed at 1 p.m. May 29.
George is missing but not forgotten.
As of Feb. 10, 2012, The Defense POW/MIA office lists 1,677 Americans still missing and unaccounted for.
Jeanette Frye
Park Ridge
