RI’s first Vietnam War casualty laid to rest after 53 years missing

By: Amanda Pitts

alpitts@abc6.com

@AmandaPittsTV

EXETER, R.I. (WLNE) — A U.S. Air Force pilot from Cranston was laid to rest Friday, more than half a century after his plane was shot down above Vietnam.

Lt. Col. Frederic Mellor’s remains were recovered this past July after being missing for 53 years. Mellor is Rhode Island’s first Vietnam War casualty.

Mellor vanished in 1965 at the age of 30 when his aircraft was shot down over Vietnam. He survived after ejecting himself from the plane but later lost radio contact. A two-day search found no trace of the pilot or his plane.

“It’s a somber mood, but it’s also a joyous day. So it’s tears of joy, tears of sadness,” said Kasim Yarn, Director of the Rhode Island Office of Veteran Affairs.

The funeral included a dove release, a flyover, and countless service men and women lining up to pay their respects to Mellor’s loved ones.

“To honor them, we must truly honor their families as well, because when a service member serves, their family serves as well,” said Yarn.

Special guests of the ceremony included service members from the descendant of Mellor’s Air Force squadron.

When they heard the news from their base in Nebraska, they packed their bags for Rhode Island.

“This is the best part of the job definitely. Being able to honor one of our own, one of our fallen brothers,” said SSG Albert Cheshinski.

Mellor is now at his final resting place near the Vietnam Memorial at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

He was one of seven Rhode Islanders unaccounted for in the Vietnam War.

(c) WLNE-TV 2018