Illinois vet’s remains headed home after 40 years

GLEN CARBON — Four decades after he died when his helicopter was shot down in Cambodia, a soldier from southwestern Illinois is finally coming home.

Services will be Sunday in Glen Carbon for Randy Dalton, ending years of searches and efforts to positively identify the Army specialist’s remains.

Dalton will be buried next to his parents in a cemetery on the 40th anniversary of his death at the age of 20.

Dalton was killed when the helicopter he was riding in was shot down in Cambodia near South Vietnam. A medic tried to revive Dalton, and rescuers had to leave his body behind because of enemy fire.

Liz Dalton says the return of her stepson’s remains brings closure and the family will no longer be left wondering about his fate.