The remains of a Navy Commander who went missing in Vietnam have been positively identified as James B. Mills from Bakersfield.

Mills went down while flying a reconnaissance mission in 1966, but his plane wasn’t found until 2006. DNA testing confirmed the remains a few days ago.

Kern County Veteran’s Services Director Dick Taylor knew Mills’ father, who was the principal at East Bakersfield High School, and says he died before knowing what happened to his son.

Services are pending.

Kelli Pierce