Mr Henry John Stephenson went missing on 1 Oct 66 in Song Be Province (formerly Phuoc Long) Dong Phu District, YT 150 680. Died in captivity 5 Dec 66. The Australian government was advised by the American Embassy in 1973 that the P.R.G. was prepared to hand over Stevenson's remains to American authorities. His widow replied that after family consultation the remains should be left where they were and the US Embassy was notified accordingly. The case was closed. (Auth Australian Department of Foreign Affairs Letter 1520/22/101 1520/59/7 Memo 880 dated 26 Jul 73.) 1 JCRC REFNO 0479.
Mr Allen Hirons. Australian civilian journalist was captured on 26 April 1972 while travelling in a vehicle on Route 1 in Cambodia, Loss Coordinates: WT 300 4?? JCRC REFNO 1836. Read more about Alan Hirons and his associates.
Mr Neil Sharman.
Mr Niel Sharman, an Australian citizen along with an American civilian, Mr Charles Dean, were captured in Laos in September 1974. The two were travelling down the Mekong River from Pak Sane to Thak Hek when they were taken prisoner by the Pathet Lao in the vicinity of Hinboun. See map here.
This case has been investigated by JPAC over the years and during their 81st Joint Field Activity (JFA) in Laos in November 2003, a JPAC Recovery Team excavated a site related to this case. It is understood that the recovery site was in the area of Khamkeut which is roughly 70 km north of where the pair were originally taken prisoner. See map here. The 81st JFA has concluded with remains having been recovered from the Sharman / Dean site. These remains will be repatriated to Hawaii on 26 November, 2003 where they will be subjected to stringent forensic examination in an effort to confirm the identity of the individuals involved. JCRC REFNO 1994.Our three civilians are all listed a citizens of Ashmore and Cartier Islands. (I am assuming they had Australian passports.)