NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2008
Vietnam MIA Class Ring Makes It Home After 42 Years
In safe keeping by a Chinese family, it is finally returned to the United States.
Erlanger, KY While working for Consortium Companies in Southern China, American Herb Schaffner made an amazing discovery at his Chinese wife's family village near the North Vietnam boarder. Her relatives had in their possession a U.S. Air Force Academy ring, class of 1963. The ring has been verified as belonging to Maj. Patrick Edward Wynne, who was shot down over North Vietnam on 8 Aug 1966.
The Chinese family lived in a small village near where Maj. Wynne, the plane's weapons officer, and Lt. Col. Lawrence Golberg crashed after suffering heavy anti-aircraft fire. Wynne was listed as MIA until 1974 when his death was determined. The remains of Wynne and Golberg were returned to the United States in Mar 1977. The ring, however, was preserved by the Chinese family until Mr. Schaffner learned of its story in September 2008. Previous attempts by the family to return the ring were unsuccessful due to difficulties for them of both distance and language barriers.
The ring was promptly returned to Consortium Companies corporate headquarters in Northern Kentucky where a search to locate Maj. Wynne's family ensued. Contact was soon made with Maj. Wynne's brother, Michael Wynne, who also shares a distinguished service record, most recently as 21st United States Secretary of the Air Force from Nov 2005 to Jun 2008. Mr. Wynne and the entire Wynne family have expressed tremendous heartfelt gratitude for having such a treasured, personal heirloom returned to their family.
On October 22, 2008 members of Maj. Wynne's family will gather in Northern Kentucky where the ring will be received by the family with a small ceremony of appropriate honors.
# # #
Contact: Roger Schreiber