Our walk was dedicated in honor of:
Air Force SGT Joseph Matejov, Age 21 of East Meadow, NY.
MIA Feb. 5, 1973
SGT Joseph Matejov celebrated his 21st birthday in Southeast Asia 3 days before his EC-47Q reconnaissance plane was shot down over Laos in Feb. 1973.
Joseph Matejov enlisted in the Air Force in 1970 from his home state of New York and went to Southeast Asia in April of 1972.
Joe was part of Detachment 3,6994th Security Squadron stationed at Ubon, Thailand. The men in the 6994th were highly trained, and operated in the greatest of secrecy. They were not allowed to mingle with others from their respective bases, nor were the pilots of the aircraft carrying them on their missions always told what their objective was. They were cryptolgy experts, language experts, and knew well how to operate some of the Air Force’s most sophisticated equipment. They were the first to hear the enemy’s battle plans.
In a letter written to his brother on Feb. 2, 1973 (after the peace treat was signed), Joe wrote, “I’m still flying in the C-47’s over here – 134 flights as of now. I’m shooting for 150, but I don’t know if I will reach that mark or not. So much for this war that’s till going on. Peace ? My ass. Can’t wait until they release all the POWs too – I’ll be really happy to see that.” The letter continues. “Right now I have only 52 days left.”
On Feb. 5, 1973, about a week after the signing of the Paris Peace Agreement, an EC47Q, Call sign “Baron 52”, was shot down over Saravane Province Laos, about 50 miles of the city of Saravane. Controversy surrounding the incident started almost immediately. There were specific reports intercepted regarding four “flyers” within 6 hours after the plane went down on that day. Radio reports indicated that the four were transported to the North Vietnam border. None were released in the general POW release beginning the next month.
On Feb. 5, 2016, 44 years to the day of Baron 52’s shoot down, the Matejov family met with the head of DPAA and some high level Air Force personnel to present Joe’s case, challenging the premature assignment of KIA status to Joe and some of the crew. A 2 hour presentation was provided by the attorneys and a government trained crash investigation expert. On Apr. 11, 2016, the DPAA provided their recommendation to the Air Force. The decision was not in favor of the Matejov family.
A Facebook page has been recently started for Joe; search for “Joseph Andrew Matejov” for updates to the case as well as personal anecdotes and photos from Joe’s life.
His Family Still Waits for Answers and seeks to restore HONOR of Joe’s loss !
Please Never Forget Joe and others like him still unaccounted for !
Joe is remembered on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall on Panel 1W, Line 115. He also has a marker in the Arlington National Cemetery in Section 34.
We had a great 9.83 Mile walk today. What a beautiful sunrise. We walked to the War Memorial Park down town and then took 127 to Northside Drive and we went threw The Gardens. We had a great walk. I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted in helping me honor this hero. We had 201 honks. It was amazing.
Air Force SGT Joseph Matejov will not be forgotten !
