Background: Finding of remains for Carl Karst
Our extended family was together in Nebraska during a summer week in 1993 to visit my Mom and stepdad. While we were there, representatives of the military called my Mom with news of Dad. They immediately arranged to come to Nebraska and disclose the findings to all of us. While Dad had been declared KIA in 1973, his remains had never been found - until then.
Our family accepted the conclusion of the Department of Defense Mortuary Affairs Office, which prepared the document below to explain their process.
The findings seem to support the theory that the airplane crash was the cause of death. Any death is horrific, violent, and unthinkable, but a sudden end is better than torture and mistreatment at the hands of the enemy. I remember Mom saying that Dad’s last thoughts were of his family, a sentiment easy to believe about the man we loved.
Having known Carl worked closely with Major Karst under adverse conditions I (reluctantly) acquiesced reading the preceding correspondence with much ambivalence. The Human Condition, (Free Will), allows "Man" the freedom of choice; (war or peace). Unfortunately, nefarious, acrimonious acts (of war) are often self perpetuating & ubiquitous. Hence the need for patriotic individuals, like Major Carl Karst, to dedicate his life to the cause of freedom. Some may label such dedication as enigmatic or cavalier. Yet to others; including Major Carl Karst, the calculous is obvious: Honor, Patriotism, & Freedom shall prevail; at all cost. Thomas D. Penberthy