Missions in Laos was established to:
- 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.
- continue research and maintain awareness of recovery efforts of MIA U.S. servicemen
- 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 years 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 she hired Chris as her driver during her third trip 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 MIA 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 decades there have been ongoing investigations and recovery efforts including successful recoveries and identifications of MIA service members in Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.
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.
It is our intention to help the people to the extent we can in these villages to have a better quality of life in the short and long term.
For details about “Mission: Adopt a Village”
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: Adopt a Village”.
CLICK HERE: https://gofund.me/2226af18
2024- Some of the supplies we delivered in Ban Kok Mak, Laos
2023- Susan in Ban Kok Mak, Laos
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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
1,574
MIA servicemembers UNACCOUNTED-FOR from the
VIETNAM WAR
as of 22 JULY 2024*
includes
280
MIA servicemembers UNACCOUNTED-FOR in LAOS from the
VIETNAM WAR
as of 22 JULY 2024**
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THIS WEBSITE IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THE U.S. SERVICEMEMBERS 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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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
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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