Texas Insider

Lt. Col. Richard Castillo’s remains put to rest at Arlington National Cemetery

(Washington) – U.S. Representative Solomon P. Ortiz (D-Texas) presented a Congressional Record to the family of Lt. Col. Richard Castillo, a war hero shot down over Laos while serving a tour of duty in Vietnam in 1972.

Lt. Col. Castillo’s remains, along with the remains of the 13 other crew members who accompanied him on the mission, were buried on Thursday, June 17, at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Ortiz met with his wife, Elizabeth May Castillo, and their children, Mary Edith Castillo Hamilton, Mary Elizabeth Castillo Tierce, Mary Esther Castillo Harper, Mary Elaine Castillo Colmenero and other family members.

“I wanted to honor a man who served his country to the last measure,” Ortiz said of Lt. Col. Castillo. “Elizabeth spoke highly of her beloved husband, and his children expressed their love and devotion to their father. It was a very special moment for the family and for me.”

The Castillo family spent a week in the Washington, D.C.-area. Ortiz arranged a tour of the White House and the Capitol during their visit.

Lt. Col. Castillo of Corpus Christi was shot down over Laos in 1972. The 14-man crew flew aboard an AC-130, Specter and was listed as missing in action. 

About six weeks ago, the family of Lt. Col. Castillo was informed by the Air Force that the last unidentified remains from his plane would be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

In 1986, after negotiations with the Laotian government, the United States was able to send teams to the numerous crash sites in Laos. After more than 20 years of sifting through debris and personal belongings, the Airmen’s remains were found and identified.

A few years ago, the Air Force informed Lt. Col. Castillo’s wife, Elizabeth May Castillo, that they were beginning DNA testing on the bone fragments found among the wreckage. With the advances made in DNA testing, they believed all 14 men would finally be accounted for. The Air Force obtained a cheek swab from Lt. Col. Castillo’s mother and performed Mitochondrial DNA testing.

On November 21, 2008, the Air Force held a small private service for the Castillo family at Lt. Col. Castillo’s grave site. His remains were identified and buried with full military honors at the National Cemetery at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio. An urn containing the fragments positively identified as Lt. Col. Castillo was buried on top of his casket.