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Biography/History:
Virgil King Cameron was born in McAllen, Hidalgo County, Texas, on May 8, 1939, to Charles Edward Cameron (b. July 6, 1906 - d. November 17, 2008) and Mattie Leona (Bounds) Cameron (b. May 17, 1915 - d. November 23, 2000). Virgil Cameron was the oldest of Charles and Mattie's five children including: Drake, Diane, Carla and Mark Cameron. Virgil Cameron graduated from McAllen High School. Shortly after graduation, he enrolled at Schreiner Institute, Kerrville, Texas (1958-1960). Cameron was later accepted into the United States Naval Academy (1960-1964). After completing his Naval Academy training, Lieutenant Commander Cameron was assigned to the Attack Squadron 155, Carrier Air Wing 15, U.S. Navy, aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Constellation (CVA-64).
On July 29, 1966, Cameron was shot down over North Vietnam. From 1966-1974, Cameron was listed among soldiers missing in action. On February 22, 1971, Cameron's name was on a roster of prisoners of war displayed during a Free the Prisoners Day event held in Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi, which featured H. Ross Perot as the keynote speaker. However, Cameron's name was moved from the roster of missing in action to the designation of being killed in action on June 24, 1974. Cameron's remains were officially repatriated to the United States from North Vietnam on September 13, 1990. However, his remains were not positively identified until August 4, 1999. Cameron was interred at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii, with full military honors on August 23, 1999.
Scope and Content:
The Cameron (Virgil King) and Family Papers consist of correspondence, a newspaper clipping, government publications, naval training manuals, and miscellaneous materials received by Ellen Watson Cameron concerning her husband, Virgil King Cameron, missing in action in Vietnam. Of interest is a December 26, 1970, letter from President Richard Nixon to the wives and parents of missing and captured U.S. soldiers. Moreover, researchers will find information pertaining to the treatment of prisoners of war located among both the correspondence and government publications. In addition, the naval training publications concern Cameron's training at the United States Naval Academy.
Series Identification:
This series consists of correspondence from the Department of the Navy, Bureau and Personnel Board, to the wives and parents of prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action during the Vietnam War. This series comprises eight letters to the primary next of kin with information on the status of their relatives and updates concerning the release of prisoners held captive by the North Vietnamese or considered missing in action. Of additional interest is a letter from President Richard Nixon to the primary next of kin of captured and missing soldiers.
Box 1, folder 1.
This series comprises a June 18, 1970 insert from the Pottstown Mercury, Pottstown, Pennsylvania. This four page insert of published letters in Vietnamese, requested the release of American prisoners of war. Additionally, readers were instructed to mail the partial issue to President Ton Duc Thang of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The issue also covered H. Ross Perot's campaign to free prisoners of war based on humanitarian grounds.
Box 1, folder 2.
The government publications consist of copies of the Department of Defense's Commanders Digest and the United States Senate's publication, Congressional Record. Each of these government publications consist of two issues relating to the plight of prisoners of war held by the North Vietnamese and the United States Government's efforts at securing their release. Of note is coverage concerning the treatment of those held captive and the government's attempt to learn the status of those deemed missing in action.
Box 1, folder 3.
The naval training manuals include a copy of Reef Points and "Pilot's Checklist, TF-9J Aircraft." Reef Points serves as a handbook for members of the United States Naval Academy. The publication's purpose is to instruct midshipmen in safety protocol, the laws of the Navy and the Naval Academy's rules and regulations. The 1963 edition of the "Pilot's Checklist" provides step-by-step instructions on piloting the TF-9J aircraft. Both training manuals include handwritten inscriptions possibly made by Lieutenant Commander Virgil Cameron.
Box 1, folders 4-5.
This series includes blank postal forms provided by the postmaster general to the families of prisoners of war. These forms were to be completed by family members when sending mail and care packages to soldiers held as prisoners of war.
Box 1, folder 6.