Officials with the United States Air Force say the search for the remains of Air Force Maj. Troy Gilbert will continue after pleas from his family.

Gilbert, 34, died in 2006 after saving 20 troops who were under fire in Iraq.

His F-16 went down during the rescue mission and his body was believed to have been captured by insurgents.

However Gilbert's identity was confirmed because a piece of his tissue was recovered from the crash site. The USAF listed Gilbert as "accounted for."

His family plead with the military to open a case file that would keep them updated on the status of finding his remains.

Gilbert's family then received a letter from the USAF secretary stating the search for his remains will continue and the family deserves nothing less.

Gilbert's widow, Ginger, said the news is "monumental" and she is very pleased with the developments.