SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio Green Beret was laid to rest on Friday, 45 years after his plane went missing during the Vietnam War.

San Antonian Army Major Donald Carr, 32 at the time, went missing in July of 1971. The Department of Defense announced Monday that his remains were being returned to his family.

Carr is one of more than 1,000 Americans killed in the Vietnam War whose remains have been identified and finally brought home to their families.

Military Records show Carr was on a reconnaissance flight when his plane crashed during bad weather. At the time the crash site could not be located and Carr was declared missing in action.

Four years ago, some of Carr's personal items were found at a crash site. His remains were then identified through DNA.

A fellow Vietnam Veteran said soldiers should never be forgotten.

"If you think about it, it would be easy for us to be lazy and forget about it. You can't do that. I mean, this man put his life in harm's way," said veteran John Baines.

Today, more than 1,600 Americans remain unaccounted for from the conflict.

The burial will be at the San Antonio National Cemetery with full military honors on Friday, May 11.