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Greetings Veterans and Fellow Patriots:
On September 18th, we held our annual National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony. We would like to thank those who made this possible: Chubbuck Mayor Rodney Burch, Senator Crapo’s Representative Farhana Hibbert, the Civil Air Patrol, Bugler Heather Petrella, and Bailee Winder, a junior at Highland High School who sang the National Anthem. See more about this on Facebook.
Will and Sandi Long arranged to have Walt Johnson’s name engraved on a previously blank brick at the SEI Veterans Memorial. He will forever remain in our hearts and memories and now also at the Veterans Memorial. Thank you Will and Sandi!
In September, we also hosted our 3rd Annual Idaho Never Forgets Cornhole Tournament at the Blue Heeler. Thank you to all who were able to come out and support this fun event. We had a great competition and awesome raffle prizes! Check out more about this event on Facebook. And a special Thank You to Rich and Tracy for letting us host it at the Blue Heeler again this year. We are looking forward to this event again next year!
Enter for you chance to win a Henry Golden Boy 22 cal Long Brasslite Lever Action Rifle. Tickets are available from any POW*MIA member.
Our spotlight on the Idaho Vietnam Unaccounted For Service Members that went missing in action in October is on Commander Roderick Lewis Mayer.
Commander Roderick Lewis Mayer
Hometown: Lewiston, ID
Unaccounted for: 10/17/65 (61 years ago on Saturday)
Unit: VF41
On October 17, 1965, an F-4B Phantom II (bureau number: 150631, call sign: “Egg Shell 105”) with a crew of two launched from the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CVA 62) to take part in a strike mission against the Thai Nguyen Bridge, North Vietnam. During the mission, this Phantom was hit by enemy anti-aircraft artillery. The aircraft rolled over and crashed, but both crew members were able to eject before it hit the ground. Following the incident, both men were seen on the ground in the vicinity of (GC) 48Q XJ 689 966, but could not be found by the time a rescue helicopter arrived two hours later. The helicopter came under intense ground fire and could not land, and a ground search could not be performed due to the continued enemy presence in the area. The area was kept under radio surveillance for two days but there was no contact with either crew member. It was later discovered that one crew member had been captured by the enemy, and he was subsequently released; the other crew member remains unaccounted for.
Lieutenant Roderick Lewis Mayer entered the U.S. Navy from Idaho and was a member of Fighter Squadron 41. He was the pilot of this Phantom when it was hit by enemy fire on October 17, 1965, and he was last seen on the ground near the crash site after ejecting prior to the crash. However, he was not be found when the rescue helicopter reached the scene, and he remains unaccounted-for. Following the incident, the U.S. Navy promoted LT Mayer to the rank of Commander (CDR). Today, CDR Mayer is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. His name is also inscribed along with all his fallen comrades on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC.
Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual’s case to be in the analytical category of Active Pursuit.
We hope to see all of you at our October General Membership meeting this Friday, October 16th at 7pm at Liberty Hall, 325 W. Benton, Pocatello. We will discuss upcoming events such as the POW/MIA Memorial Hwy 26 clean up and the Homeless Stand Down. Both events take place on Saturdays in October. Also, fast approaching is the 2026 Veterans Day Parade. Show up Friday to find out more about these exciting events.
Keep an eye on the calendar and Facebook for all of our events.
Thank you,
POW*MIA Awareness Rally Association – Pocatello
Friday, October 16th 7:00pm
Liberty Hall, 325 W. Benton, Pocatello
POW/MIA Memorial Hwy 26 Clean Up
Saturday, October 17th 12:00pm
Meet at the parking lot on the corner of Hwy 26 and N740 W Moreland/Riverside Road just outside of Blackfoot on Highway 26.
Southeast Idaho Homeless Stand Down
Saturday, October 24th 9:00am – 12:00pm
Pocatello High School Gym “Poky Palace”
325 N Arthur, Pocatello
November Board Meeting
Monday, November 2nd at 6:00pm
Liberty Hall, 325 W. Benton, Pocatello
Veterans Day Parade
Saturday, November 14th 11:00am
Line up at 9:30am on South 1st Street
Wreath Across America
Saturday, December 19th at 10:00am
Brady Chapel, Mountain View Cemetery
Please donate by November 25, 2026.
