News Summary
Master Sgt. Donald P. Gervais, missing in action during the Vietnam War, has been officially accounted for, providing closure for his family after many years of uncertainty. His identification was confirmed by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, following extensive search and recovery efforts that included multiple excavations at the crash site. Gervais, who served as a door gunner during a reconnaissance mission in 1968, was initially classified as missing in action and later listed as killed in action.
New Orleans – U.S. Army Master Sgt. Donald P. Gervais, age 24, from New Orleans, has been officially accounted for after being declared missing in action during the Vietnam War, as announced by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). His accounting was confirmed on May 16, 2025, bringing closure to decades of uncertainty for his family and friends.
Gervais served with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. During the spring of 1968, he was involved in a reconnaissance mission over the dangerous A Shau Valley in Vietnam. During this mission, Gervais was operating as a door gunner on an OH-6A Cayuse helicopter when the aircraft suffered a catastrophic failure after colliding with a dead tree, ultimately crashing into a ravine.
According to reports from a nearby aircraft, attempts to conduct a visual reconnaissance of the crash site were thwarted by intense enemy ground fire and dense vegetation. An infantry platoon was sent to investigate the incident but was forced to withdraw due to hostile engagement. This incident led to the initial classification of Gervais as missing in action.
On July 25, 1978, after years without confirming his fate, Gervais’s status was officially changed from missing in action to killed in action. Following this change, he received a posthumous promotion to the rank of Master Sgt.
Search and Recovery Efforts
The search for Gervais and the recovery of his remains have been ongoing since the end of the war, with multiple investigations conducted from 1989 to 2010. These efforts included interviews with witnesses and several excavations at the crash site.
DPAA recovery teams undertook a total of eight excavation missions at the location, which led to the recovery of osseous remains, life support equipment, and wreckage from the helicopter. The identification process involved meticulous analysis of dental records and material evidence gathered during these excavations.
Commemoration and Next Steps
In recognition of Gervais’s identification, a rosette will be added next to his name on the American Battle Monuments Commission’s Courts of the Missing, signifying that he has been accounted for. However, as of now, the date for his burial has not yet been determined.
Before the announcement of his identification, Gervais’s family received a comprehensive briefing regarding the details surrounding the recovery and identification process, a step taken to ensure they were informed of his status and the efforts to bring him home.
Historical Context
The Vietnam War, which lasted from 1955 to 1975, resulted in numerous American soldiers being classified as missing in action. Thousands of families, like Gervais’s, have lived with uncertainty regarding the fate of their loved ones for many years. The work of the DPAA and similar agencies has been crucial in providing closure to these families through diligent recovery efforts.
Gervais’s case highlights the ongoing commitment to honor those who served and to ensure they are never forgotten, a pledge that resonates deeply with veterans, service members, and their families. As the nation reflects on this solemn chapter of history, the accounting of Gervais serves as a reminder of both the sacrifices made and the commitment to bringing closure to those who wait.
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Additional Resources
- WDSU: New Orleans soldier accounted for in Vietnam
- Wikipedia: Vietnam War
- FOX8: New exhibit commemorates end of Vietnam War
- Google Search: Vietnam War exhibit
- WWLTV: Vietnam War exhibit in New Orleans
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Vietnam War
- NOLA: Vietnamese Americans in New Orleans
- Google News: Vietnamese Americans New Orleans
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NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
