After more than seven decades of uncertainty, the family of second Lieutenant Michael Coenraad Botha, a South African Air Force pilot who died during the Korean War in 1953, has been located.

According to Pretoria Rekord, this breakthrough comes after remains believed to be his were discovered. Authorities are now seeking DNA samples to confirm his identity and bring closure to the long-unsolved mystery.

The South African Researcher – Family History & Heritage Facebook page shared the information and appealed to the public for help in tracing his family.

Rekord recently reported on this, and the family quickly came forward to assist with the DNA samples.

Michael C Botha said the death of his cousin, Michael Coenraad Botha, had been a family mystery for decades.

“His loss has been a family mystery for decades. His father was Barend Daniel, Uncle Danie, born in 190; my father was Benjamin, born in 1924.

“They had a brother named Michael Coenraad, Uncle Mike. Their father was also Michael Coenraad. I was born in 1955 and named after my deceased grandfather and cousin. So, three of us carried our father and grandfather’s name. This is an incredible surprise.”

He said the family knew about the story but had different versions of what happened.

“I have known the story all my life; he was known as ‘Klein Mike’ in our Afrikaans family; I inherited the name after I was born in 1955.

“Our grandfather, for who we were named, passed away in 1955.

“The story as we have it is that the Sabre’s engine flamed out; he could not stretch the glide. He was ejected and went down into the mudflats off the Korean coast. His parents were heartbroken, and his mother, Auntie Maggie, mourned all her life.”

Botha said his uncle had a sister, Amor, who was a music teacher in Witbank (now eMalahleni). The family is trying to contact her.

“There is more; our uncle Spike was a pilot in WWII. Our grandfather, Michael, who fought in the Boer War and was related to Louis Botha and lived in Sunnyside, refused to allow my father to join the SAAF. Then, he lost his grandson in the Korean War.”

Rekord spoke to Anne Lehmkuhl, the founder of the South African Researcher – Family History & Heritage.

“I just spoke to Michael; it was quite emotional and gave me goosebumps. He is very open to DNA tests and will get other cousins to test, too. His elderly mother was with him and still knew the pilot. I hope that the family finally gets closure on this mystery.”

She said the family would be connected with the appropriate authorities for the DNA testing to proceed.

According to information on the South African Researcher – Family History & Heritage Facebook page, Botha died on August 28, 1953, during the Korean War when his F-86 Sabre aircraft malfunctioned.

After reporting control issues, he ejected over land at 18 000 feet but was blown out to sea. Despite an intensive search, he was never found. It is believed he either drowned or became trapped in shallow waters.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.