30 September 1950 – The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) was founded in 1951, when scientists from the field of space research gathered in an attempt to ensure a constant dialogue between the space nations, regardless of political turmoil. In its early years, the Federation and its annual International Astronautical Congresses – better known as the
Capt. Peter G. Moriarty was a pilot trained on the F-100D Super Sabre fighter aircraft and was attached to the 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Phan Rang Airbase in South Vietnam.
On March 22, 1971, Moriarty was flying F-100D #56-3180 a mission over Laos in Savannakhet Province. During the mission, about 5 miles south of the city of Sepone. As Capt. Moriarty made a pass over the target area, his aircraft was hit by ground fire, causing it to crash in the vicinity of (GC) XD 634 395. No parachutes emerged from the Super Sabre before it went down.
According to the Department of the Air Force, “evidence of death was received on 23 May 1972 and Moriarty’s status was changed to killed in action at the time of the incident.” The nature of the evidence received is not specified, but Moriarty’s remains were never recovered.
Capt. Moriarty was listed as killed, body not recovered. He is among nearly 2500 Americans who remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam war.
Peter has a military marker in his memory at Arlington National Cemetery. and is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Sources: HonorStates.org;
