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Steven Ray Armitstead
Captain
VMA(AW)-533, MAG-12, 1ST MAW, III MAF United States Marine Corps Los Angeles, California June 15, 1944 to December 03, 1974 (Incident Date March 17, 1969) STEVEN R ARMITSTEAD is on the Wall at Panel W29, Line 58 |
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I met 1stLt Steve Armitstead several times in November 1968 at the Cubi Point Naval Air Station, Republic of the Philippines. Steve was in the company of a very good friend of mine, Captain Chuck Finney . Both men had recently reported for duty with Marine Air Group 12's A-6A squadron, VMA(AW)-533, and were at Cubi Point for jungle survival training. On 17 March 1969 Steve Armitstead and Chuck Finney were flying in an A-6A aircraft (BuNo 154160) on a night armed reconnaissance mission over Laos. Crewmen from other aircraft in the area observed an explosion in the vicinity of the target, then a second explosion nearby which was believed to be that of Finney's aircraft. They went down near the city of Muong Nong, located southwest of the demilitarized zone (DMZ), in Savannakhet Province, Laos. No parachutes were sighted and no emergency beepers were heard. Search and rescue efforts were terminated several days later when no signs of survivors were found. Both men were listed as Missing in Action. On 03 December 1974 Steve's status was changed from MIA to "Killed in Action, Body not Recovered". In 1999, a U.S. search team was permitted to examine the crash site. While 1stLt Armitstead's fate could not be proven, remains recovered from the site proved to be those of Captain Finney. On 17 March 2000, 31 years after his death, Major Charles E. Finney, United States Marine Corps, was laid to rest in the Arlington National Cemetery. While I welcome Chuck home, I cannot forget that Steve Armitstead remains in the jungles of Southeast Asia.
Kenneth J. Davis |
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In 1972 when I was 8 years old I was given a bracelet with 1stLt Steven R. Armitstead's name on it. I have worn it almost every day of my life since then. Recently it became old and broke in half. Today I received my new one in the mail. I shall continue to wear it and pray for his return home. Even though I might not know this fine man, or his family, I have felt a connection to him over the years.
Matt Dalbey |
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You gave your all on my 30th birthday. I ride in your memory.
From a "Patriot Guard" rider. |
A Note from The Virtual WallThe Marine Air Group 12 Command Chronology for March 1969 contains the following entry:"Captain Charles E. FINNEY 094692/7583 USMC and 1/Lt Steven R. ARMITSTEAD 094095/7511 USMCR both members of VMA(AW)-533 were declared missing in action when their A6A aircraft struck ground and exploded during night bombing mission." |
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