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This
Page Is Dedicated To
Deverton C. Cochrane |
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| Thanks to Joni's Patriotic Graphics. |
- Name: Deverton Carpenter
Cochrane
- Rank/Branch: E6/US Army
- Unit: 75th Infantry, 1st
Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division
- Date of Birth: 15 December 1948
(Boston MA)
- Home City of Record: Brookline
MA
- Date of Loss: 17 June 1970
- Country of Loss: Cambodia
- Loss Coordinates: 121833N
1071134E (YU386618)
- Status (in 1973): Missing In
Action
- Category: 2
- Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: Ground
- Other Personnel in Incident:
Carl J. Laker (missing)
Refno:
1634 |
Source: Compiled from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S.
Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families,
published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W. NETWORK in 2006 with
information provided by Chuck Coffin, H Company (Ranger) 75th Infantry
(Airborne) 1969-1970.
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| REMARKS: GND COMB
- 3 RECOV - SERCH NEG - J |
| SYNOPSIS: On June
16, 1970, SSgt. Deverton C. Cochran was team leader and SP4 Carl J. Laker the assistant
team leader of a reconnaissance team from Company H, 75th Infantry, 1st Cavalry Division
on an area search mission in Cambodia. |
1st Squadron, 9th
Cavalry was an aerial reconnaissance cavalry squadron operating with an aero-scout
("white") platoon; aero-weapons ("red") platoon, and an aero-rifle
("blue") platoon. The squadron also had a ground cavalry element. Cochrane is
listed as attached to "75th Infantry, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry
Division." Laker, however, is listed as assigned to Company H of the 75th Infantry,
1st Cavalry Division, which is a Ranger unit. If these unit designations are accurate,
then Laker was a Ranger while Cochrane was probably a "blue" assigned to the
Company H mission. In 1970, the Company H strength was 198 men. The 75th Infantry
("Merrill's Marauders") had only been organized the beginning of 1969 to provide
a parent unit for the separate long-range reconnaissance patrol companies (LRRP). Ranger
companies in Vietnam were particularly elite.
The team was operating just inside Cambodia in Mondol Kiri Province due east of the South
Vietnam city of Dak Song. After a successful infiltration, the team set up in the vicinity
to conduct a trail watch and to establish a night defensive position.
The next morning, the team moved out to conduct reconnaissance until 1535 hours when, upon
entering a wood line, the team leader was fired upon by enemy troops. Members of the team
saw the team leader fall holding his neck and loin. SP4 Laker tried to crawl forward to
assist, and fell on top of another member of the team who later reported that Laker had
been hit above the left eye, gravely wounded.
The team finally managed to break contact and one member was able to evade the enemy and
return to friendly lines. An extensive search was made of the battle area for several
days, but only 2 wounded members of the team were rescued. There was no trace of Cochrane
or Laker.
Although the Ranger missions were hazardous, few remain missing from them. Laker was
classified as Killed in Action, Body Not Recovered because the extent of his injuries were
known, and they were serious. Cochrane's injuries, on the other hand, could not be
assessed, and it was felt there was the possibility of survival and ultimate capture.
Cochrane was classified Missing in Action.
Laker and Cochrane are among nearly 2500 Americans still prisoner, missing or unaccount
for from the Vietnam war. Some, like Carl Laker, are undoubtedly dead. Others were
certainly not dead, but in good health the last they were seen. Still others were seen as
prisoners or even photographed, only to disappear from the prison system.
Unlike "MIAs" from other wars, most of the missing from Vietnam can be accounted
for, if Vietnam chooses to do so. Based on thousands of refugee reports, most authorities
now believe that hundreds of Americans are still alive today, held against their will. For
the honor of those who died, and for the honor of our country, these men must be brought
home. |
| "All
Biographical and loss information on POWs provided by Operation Just Cause have been
supplied by Chuck and Mary Schantag of POWNET. Please check with
POWNET regularly for updates." |
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