T-34 Lost Oct 28 2009

Lt. John Joseph Houston

Searched until Nov. 11 when instructions were conveyed to USCG and USN by TES as the best calculated location of the T-34.

11/18/09 — Remains have been recovered from the missing aircraft in which Lt. John Joseph Houston and Lt. Bret Miller were flying at the time it went missing. Lt. Miller’s body was found on October 30, 2009 about 11 miles north of Port Aransas, TX. We are awaiting confirmation from the medical examiner’s office for a positive identification. Please continue to keep Lt. Houston, his family and friends in your prayers during their time of grief.

11/16/09 — We would like to report that the wreckage from the aircraft that Lt. John Joseph Houston (top) and Lt. Bret Travis Miller (bottom) were flying when it disappeared on October 28, 2009, has been located about 1.5 miles off of Matagorda Island, TX. Lt. Miller’s body was found on October 30, 2009 about 11 miles north of Port Aransas, TX. It is not known at this time if Lt. Houston’s body is in the aircraft. The Navy hopes to raise the aircraft by Wednesday, or as soon as conditions permit. Please keep Lt. Houston and Lt. Miller’s families and friends in your prayers during this most difficult time.

We would like to extend our special thanks to the TES members who have worked tirelessly on this effort. We sent a team on November 4, 2009, which included ATV and foot searchers. In addition, our sonor technician, Dennis Watters, has been working every day with the USCG and the Navy. He has been scanning the water and getting images, while aboard a USCG cutter. Another TES member, Ralph Baird, has also been working with Dennis and military officials charting the possible location of the aircraft. Also, diver Vernon Miller and his crew assisted in the search efforts.

As stated above, it is not known at this time if the body of Lt. Houston is on the aircraft. Tim Miller plans to travel to Matagorda Island to be there for the family when the aircraft is raised.

Again, please keep the families and friends of these brave men in your prayers.

11/03/09 — The family of missing Navy pilot Lt. John Joseph Houston, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, have requested the assistance of Texas EquuSearch. Lt. Houston’s plane disappeared Wednesday, October 28, 2009, off the Texas Coast near San Jose Island, east of Rockport. A team of searchers from Texas EquuSearch, along with sonar expert Dennis Watters from Team Watters, will depart Wednesday, November 4, 2009 for Port Aransas Texas. Please keep Lt. Houston, his family and friends in your prayers as the search continues.