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2016
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Stories and Press Releases below chart |
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Note: the above chart is now updated in it's entirety regularly after it was noticed that names were INSERTED in the chart long after the accounted for date, changing the original chart.
posted 12/22/2016 Source: http://www.dpaa.mil/OurMissing/RecentlyAccountedFor.aspx
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS
Sent: 30 December, 2016 10:04
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Alabama Sailor Accounted For From World War II
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Navy Water Tender 1st Class Walter H. Sollie, 37, of Myrtlewood, Alabama, unaccounted for from World War II.
He will be buried Jan. 6, 2017 in Pensacola, Florida.
His niece, Margaret Plowman, of Kewanna, Indiana, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her at 574-653-2272.
The Department of Defense has no photos of Sollie on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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On Dec. 7, 1941, Sollie was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Sollie. No single vessel at Pearl Harbor, with the exception of the USS Arizona, suffered as many fatalities.
From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu'uanu Cemeteries.
In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Sollie.
In April 2015, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a policy memorandum directing the disinterment of unknowns associated with the USS Oklahoma. On June 15, 2015, DPAA personnel began exhuming the remains from the NMCP for analysis.
To identify Sollie's remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial DNA analysis, which matched two great nieces, as well as circumstantial evidence and laboratory analysis, to include dental comparisons, which matched Sollie's records.
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS
Sent: 21 December, 2016 10:20
Subject: Airman Missing From World War II Accounted For
Dear Sir/Ma'am
Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Francis J. Pitonyak, missing from World War II, has now been accounted for.
On Oct. 28, 1943, Pitonyak was a member of the 36th Fighter Group, 8th Fighter squadron and was the pilot of a single-seat fighter aircraft. Pitonyak led a formation of four aircraft from Wards Airdome near Port Moresby, Territory of Papua on an armed patrol mission to Nadzab in the Markham River Valley. Due to rapidly deteriorating weather conditions and loss of visibility one of the four pilots aborted the mission, returned to base and immediately reported the other three pilots missing, The following day, an aerial search was conducted for the missing aircraft, with no results. The U.S. Army declared Pitonyak deceased as of Oct. 28, 1943.
The American Battle Monuments Commission memorialized Pitonyak by including his name on the Tablets of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines.
In June 1987, a team of investigators from the U.S Army Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii, accompanied by local witnesses, located the wreckage of an aircraft in the vicinity of Ulreal Village, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. The wreckage, which was largely intact, included a serial number consistent with the aircraft piloted by Pitonyak. In October 1988, a second team visited the crash site and noted the positioning of the wreckage suggested a low-angle controlled impact or hard landing, but they were unable to recover remains or flight equipment. In July 2016, a DPAA recovery team recovered possible dental remains and supporting material evidence from a site located in the vicinity of Urulau Village, Kerema District, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea.
Laboratory analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at http://www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1008.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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Remains of POW missing for 66 years to return to San Antonio
Remains of POW missing for 66 years to return to San Antonio .....
Every Christmas since his brother disappeared, Greg Torres would kneel at Mass and whisper a prayer to St. Jude, patron saint of miracles and desperate causes.
He wished for the return of his brother, Cpl. Luis Patlan Torres, missing for 66 years after he was captured on a battlefield during the Korean War...
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS
Sent: 20 December, 2016 12:47
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Accounted For
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Cpl. Luis P. Torres, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for..
On Sept. 1, 1950, Torres was member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, when his battalion had its position overrun by enemy forces along the east bank of the Naktong River, South Korea. During this attack, Torres was reported missing in action near Changyong, South Korea.
Torres' name did not appear on any prisoner of war list, but one returning American prisoner of war reported that he believed Torres was held captive by the enemy and was executed. Due to the prolonged lack of evidence, the U.S. Army declared him deceased as of March 3, 1954.
Although the U.S. Army Graves Registration Service planned to recover American remains that remained north of the Korean Demilitarized Zone after the war, administrative details between the United Nations Command and North Korea complicated recovery efforts. An agreement was made and in September and October 1954, in what was known as Operation Glory, remains were returned. However, Torres' remains were not included and he was declared non-recoverable.
On Dec. 20, 1950, a set of unidentified remains, previously recovered from a shallow grave near Changnyong, were buried in the Miryang United Nations Military Cemetery as "Unknown X-331." In February 1951, the remains were moved to the Tanggok United Nations Military Cemetery. Although Torres was considered a candidate for identification, the remains were not identified due to a lack of substantiating evidence. The remains were then moved to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu and buried as Unknown.
On May 16, 2016, the remains were disinterred and sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis.
Laboratory analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at http://www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1008.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS
Sent: 20 December, 2016 09:26
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Accounted For
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Sgt. Thomas E. Zimmer, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
In late November, 1950, Zimmer was a member of Battery A, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, on the east side of the Chosin River, North Korea, when Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF) attacked the regiment and forced the unit to withdraw to Hagaru-ri. Many soldiers became surrounded and attempted to escape, but were captured or killed. Zimmer was subsequently declared missing in action as a result of the battle that occurred Dec. 6, 1950.
Zimmer's name did not appear on any lists provided by the CPVF or the Korean People's Army as a prisoner of war, and no returning American prisoners were able to provide any information concerning Zimmer. Based on the lack of information, the U.S. Army declared him deceased as of Dec. 31, 1953.
In August and September 2004, an joint U.S. and Korean People's Army recovery team conducted a Joint Recovery Operation in the vicinity of the East Chosin Reservoir, where Zimmer went missing. The team recovered possible human remains and sent them to the DPAA laboratory for analysis.
Laboratory analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at http://www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1008.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS
Sent: 19 December, 2016 17:07
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Accounted For
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Pfc. Charles C. Follese, killed in the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
On Nov. 29, 1950, Follese was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment. Members of the unit went on a reconnaissance patrol and were ambushed by enemy forces. The following day, another patrol, including Follese, were assigned to recover the casualties. This patrol also encountered an enemy ambush near Hajoyang-ni, North Korea. Following the battle, Follese could not be accounted for and he was declared killed in action.
Between 1990 and 1994, North Korea returned 208 boxes of commingled human remains to the United States, which we determined to contain the remains of at least 400 U.S. servicemen who fought during the war. North Korean documents included in the repatriation indicate that some of the remains were recovered from the vicinity where Follese was believed to have died.
Laboratory analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at http://www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1008.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS
Sent: 19 December, 2016 16:44
Subject: Sailor Missing From World War II Accounted For
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Navy Seaman 1st Class Camillus M. O'Grady, missing from World War II, has now been accounted for.
On Dec. 7, 1941, O'Grady was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including O'Grady. No single vessel at Pearl Harbor, with the exception of the USS Arizona, suffered as many fatalities.
From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu'uanu Cemeteries.
In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including O'Grady.
In April 2015, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a policy memorandum directing the disinterment of unknowns associated with the USS Oklahoma. On June 15, 2015, DPAA personnel began exhuming the remains from the NMCP for analysis.
DNA analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1008.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS
Sent: 19 December, 2016 16:42
Subject: Sailor Missing From World War II Accounted For
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Navy Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Cecil E. Barncord, missing from World War II, has now been accounted for.
On Dec. 7, 1941, Barncord was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Barncord. No single vessel at Pearl Harbor, with the exception of the USS Arizona, suffered as many fatalities.
From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu'uanu Cemeteries.
In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Barncord.
In April 2015, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a policy memorandum directing the disinterment of unknowns associated with the USS Oklahoma. On June 15, 2015, DPAA personnel began exhuming the remains from the NMCP for analysis.
DNA analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1008.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS
Sent: 19 December, 2016 16:40
Subject: Sailor Missing From World War II Accounted For
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Navy Radioman 3rd Class Howard W. Bean, missing from World War II, has now been accounted for.
On Dec. 7, 1941, Bean was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Bean. No single vessel at Pearl Harbor, with the exception of the USS Arizona, suffered as many fatalities.
From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu'uanu Cemeteries.
In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Bean.
In April 2015, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a policy memorandum directing the disinterment of unknowns associated with the USS Oklahoma. On June 15, 2015, DPAA personnel began exhuming the remains from the NMCP for analysis.
DNA analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1008.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS
Sent: 19 December, 2016 16:30
Subject: Sailor Missing From World War II Accounted For
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Navy Fire Controlman 2nd Class Donald R. McCloud, missing from World War II, has now been accounted for.
On Dec. 7, 1941, McCloud was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including McCloud. No single vessel at Pearl Harbor, with the exception of the USS Arizona, suffered as many fatalities.
From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu'uanu Cemeteries.
In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including McCloud.
In April 2015, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a policy memorandum directing the disinterment of unknowns associated with the USS Oklahoma. On June 15, 2015, DPAA personnel began exhuming the remains from the NMCP for analysis.
DNA analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1008.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS [mailto:dpaa.ncr.oc.mbx.dpaa-comms@mail.mil]
Sent: 16 December, 2016 11:20
Subject: Soldier Killed in Korean War Accounted For
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Pfc. Thomas C. Stagg, killed in the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
On Nov. 29, 1950, Stagg was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, on a reconnaissance patrol. The patrol encountered an enemy ambush near Hajoyang-ni, North Korea. Following the battle, Stagg could not be accounted for and he was declared killed in action.
Between 1990 and 1994, North Korea returned 208 boxes of commingled human remains to the United States, which we determined to contain the remains of at least 400 U.S. servicemen who fought during the war. North Korean documents included in the repatriation indicate that some of the remains were recovered from the vicinity where Stagg was believed to have died.
Laboratory analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at http://www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1008.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS
Sent: 16 December, 2016 10:42
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Missouri Soldier Accounted For From Korean War
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Army Sgt. Harold L. Curtis, 18, of Hannibal, Missouri, missing from the Korean War.
He will be buried Dec. 23 in Mesa, Arizona.
His sister, Bonnie Stevens, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her at (602) 430-3683.
The Department of Defense has no photos of Curtis on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Accounted For
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Cpl. Jules Hauterman, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
In late November, 1950, Hauterman was a medic with the Medical Platoon, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, when his unit was attached to the 31st Regimental Combat Team as one of its infantry battalions for the mission. The 31st RCT advanced to occupy the east side of the Chosin River. For three days and four nights, the unit battled the 80th Division of the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces. The 31st RCT finally conducted a fighting withdraw south for safety at the Marine Base in Hagaru-ri. The convoy was eventually destroyed by the CPVF, and while some escaped across the frozen reservoir, more than 1,300 were captured or killed. Following the battle, Hauterman could not be accounted for and he was reported missing in action as of Dec. 2, 1950.
The CPVF and North Korean People's Army periodically provided lists of prisoners of war during the war, but none listed Hauterman. Additionally, no returning American prisoners of war reported to have any information regarding Hauterman as a prisoner of war. Based on the lack of information regarding his status, the U.S. Army declared him deceased.
On Sept. 15, 1954, a set of remains reportedly recovered from the East Chosin Reservoir were sent to the Central Identification Laboratory in Kokura, Japan and attempted to make an identification. The remains, identified as X-15904, were declared unidentifiable in 1955, and were transferred to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.
On June 13, 2016, the remains identified as "Unknown X-15904" were disinterred and sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis.
Laboratory analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at http://www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1008.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 15 December, 2016 10:31
Subject: Sailor Missing From World War II Accounted For
Navy Fireman 3rd Class Kenneth L. Holm, missing from World War II, has now been accounted for.
On Dec. 7, 1941, Holm was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Holm. No single vessel at Pearl Harbor, with the exception of the USS Arizona, suffered as many fatalities.
From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu'uanu Cemeteries.
In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Holm.
In April 2015, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a policy memorandum directing the disinterment of unknowns associated with the USS Oklahoma. On June 15, 2015, DPAA personnel began exhuming the remains from the NMCP for analysis.
DNA analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1008.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 15 December, 2016 07:24
Subject: Sailor Missing From World War II Accounted For
Navy Seaman 1st Class Harold W. Roesch, missing from World War II, has now been accounted for.
On Dec. 7, 1941, Roesch was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Roesch. No single vessel at Pearl Harbor, with the exception of the USS Arizona, suffered as many fatalities.
From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu'uanu Cemeteries.
In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Roesch.
In April 2015, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a policy memorandum directing the disinterment of unknowns associated with the USS Oklahoma. On June 15, 2015, DPAA personnel began exhuming the remains from the NMCP for analysis.
DNA analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1008.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 15 December, 2016 07:24
Subject: Sailor Missing From World War II Accounted For
Navy Seaman 2nd Class Floyd F. Clifford, missing from World War II, has now been accounted for.
On Dec. 7, 1941, Clifford was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Clifford. No single vessel at Pearl Harbor, with the exception of the USS Arizona, suffered as many fatalities.
From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu'uanu Cemeteries.
In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Clifford.
In April 2015, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a policy memorandum directing the disinterment of unknowns associated with the USS Oklahoma. On June 15, 2015, DPAA personnel began exhuming the remains from the NMCP for analysis.
DNA analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1008.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS
Sent: 14 December, 2016 07:25
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Accounted For
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Cpl. George A. Perreault, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
On Feb. 5, 1951, Perreault was a part of Support Force 21 and assigned to Headquarters Battery, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, which was supporting Republic of Korean Army (ROKA) attacks against units of the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF) in the area known as the Central Corridor in South Korea. On the evening of February 11, the CPVF launched a massive counterattack against the ROKA regiment. The ROKA withdrew, leaving American units to fight alone at Changbong-ni, until they were forced to withdraw too. After enduring a sustained enemy attack, the Support Force abandoned Hoengsong and moved toward Wonju. Perreault never reported to Wonju and he was reported missing in action on Feb. 13, 1951.
A list provided by opposing forces on Dec. 26, 1951 stated that Perreault died as a prisoner of war, though the information could not be confirmed. Additionally, no returning American prisoners of war could provide any information on him. Based on the lack of information of his status, the U.S. Army declared him deceased as of Jan. 18, 1954.
Between 1990 and 1994, North Korea returned to the United States 208 boxes of commingled human remains, which when combined with remains recovered during joint recovery operations in North Korea, account for the remains of at least 600 U.S. servicemen who fought during the war. North Korean documents included in the repatriation indicated that some of the remains were recovered from the area where Perreault was believed to have died.
DNA analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at http://www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1420.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS
Sent: 13 December, 2016 07:45
Subject: Airman Missing From World War II Accounted For
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Byron H. Nelson, Missing from World War II, has now been accounted for.
On April 25, 1944, Nelson was a member of the 721st Bomb Squadron, 450th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force, and was the nose gunner aboard an American B-24G Liberator bomber. While flying from Manduria, Italy, to a target area near Varese, Italy, three aircraft became separated from the formation due to dense clouds. Nelson's aircraft was one that disappeared. It was later learned that eight of the 10 people in his aircraft parachuted from the bomber after being attacked by German fighters. Six crewmen were able to successfully escape and two were captured. A captured crewman was told that two perished in the crash, one being Nelson.
On Sept. 9, 1947, the American Graves Registration Service disinterred remains from a cemetery near Fognano, Italy, where they were reportedly buried by local residents following the crash. The remains were unable to be identified and were re-interred as "Unknown X-190" in the Florence American Cemetery on May 26, 1949.
Due to new historical investigations and new technology that could link an identification to Unknown X-190, the remains were disinterred in August 2015.
DNA analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1420.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS
Sent: 13 December, 2016 07:43
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Accounted For
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Cpl. James T. Mainhart, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
In late November 1950, Mainhart was a member of Company I, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Approximately 2,500 U.S. and 700 South Korean soldiers assembled into the 31st Regimental Combat Team (RCT), which was deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when it was engaged by overwhelming numbers of Chinese forces. By Dec. 6, the U.S. Army evacuated approximately 1,500 wounded service members; the remaining soldiers had been either captured or killed in enemy territory. Because Mainhart could not be accounted for by his unit at the end of the battle, he was reported missing in action as of Nov. 30, 1950.
Mainhart's name did not appear on any prisoner of war lists and no repatriated Americans were able to provide any information concerning Mainhart as a prisoner of war. Due to the prolonged lack of evidence, the U.S. Army declared him deceased as of Nov. 30, 1950.
Although the U.S. Army Graves Registration Service hoped to recover American remains that remained north of the Korean Demilitarized Zone after the war, administrative details between the United Nations Command and North Korea complicated recovery efforts. An agreement was made and in September and October 1954, in what was known as Operation Glory, remains were returned. However, Mainhart's remains were not included and he was declared non-recoverable.
In September and October 2004, personnel from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (now DPAA), conducted the 36th Joint Recovery Operation with the Korean People's Army in the vicinity of the Chosin River. During the mission, a witness statement reported that remains believed to be American had been found and reburied. Recovery Team 2 found a site that contained material evidence and possible remains of at least five individuals.
DNA analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1420.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 12 December, 2016 10:04
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Accounted For
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Cpl. Edward Pool, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
In late November, 1950, Pool was a member of 31st Heavy Mortar Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Approximately 2,500 U.S. and 700 South Korean soldiers assembled into the 31st Regimental Combat Team (RCT), which was deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when it was engaged by overwhelming numbers of Chinese forces. By Dec. 6, the U.S. Army evacuated approximately 1,500 wounded service members; the remaining soldiers had been either captured or killed in enemy territory. Because Pool could not be accounted for by his unit at the end of the battle, he was reported missing in action as of Dec. 2, 1950.
Pool's name appeared on a list provided by the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces and Korean People's Army as a prisoner of war, however no information was provided regarding his status. Following the war, one returning American prisoner reported that Pool had died in January 1041. Based on this information, the U.S. Army declared him deceased as of Jan. 31, 1951.
Between 1990 and 1994, North Korea returned 208 boxes of commingled human remains to the United States, which we now believe to contain the remains of at least 600 U.S. servicemen who fought during the war. North Korean documents included in the repatriation indicate that some of the remains were recovered from the vicinity where Pool was believed to have died.
DNA analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1420.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS [mailto:dpaa.ncr.oc.mbx.dpaa-comms@mail.mil]
Sent: 12 December, 2016 09:51
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Accounted For
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Cpl. Gerald I. Shepler, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
On Nov. 29, 1950, Shepler was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, on a reconnaissance patrol. Shepler was the lead scout when the patrol encountered an enemy ambush near Hajoyang-ni, North Korea, during which an enemy mortar round reportedly exploded within 10 yards of Shepler. Following the battle, Shepler could not be accounted for and he was declared missing in action.
Shepler's name did not appear on any list provided by the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces or Korean People's Army as a prisoner of war. Though no returning American prisoners of war provided any information concerning Shepler, testimony from witnesses stated they suspected he was mortally wounded by the mortar explosion. Based on this information, the U.S. Army declared him deceased as of Nov. 29, 1950.
Between 1990 and 1994, North Korea returned 208 boxes of commingled human remains to the United States, which we now believe to contain the remains of at least 600 U.S. servicemen who fought during the war. North Korean documents included in the repatriation indicate that some of the remains were recovered from the vicinity where Shepler was believed to have died.
DNA analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1420.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS
Sent: 12 December, 2016 09:35
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Accounted For
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Sgt. Homer R. Abney, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
In late November, 1950, Abney was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, when his unit was fighting units of the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces in North Korea. By the early morning of Nov. 30, the road from Kunu-ri to Sunch'on was heavily fortified with a series of enemy roadblocks, later named "The Gauntlet." The regiment sustained more casualties than any other unit during the battle, and it was following that battle that Abney was declared missing.
The CPVF and North Korean People's Army periodically provided lists of prisoners of war during the war, but none listed Abney. Following the war, three returning American prisoners reported that Abney died at Hofong Camp in March 1951. Based on this information, the U.S. Army declared him deceased as of March 31, 1951.
In April and May 2005, a Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (now DPAA) and Korea People's Army Recovery Team, conducted the 37th Joint Field Activity, visiting a site near Pukchin-Tarigol Prisoner of war camp. Possible human remains were found, but the condition of the site indicated it was a second burial site.
DNA analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1420.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS
Sent: 12 December, 2016 09:28
Subject: Airman Missing From World War II Accounted For
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Air Forces Capt. Albert L. Schlegel, missing from World War II, has now been accounted for.
On Aug. 28, 1944, Schlegel was the pilot and sole occupant of a P-51D Mustang aircraft, departing his base in England on a ground strafing mission to Strasbourg, France, when he radioed that he had been hit by heavy anti-aircraft fire and would need to bail from his aircraft. There was no further communication from Schlegel. Historical records indicated that locals in Valmy, France reported that an unknown American aviator was captured in their village that same evening.
On Nov. 18. 1944, a set of remains was found near a train station in Valmy. A doctor determined the individual had been shot behind the ear. The remains were transferred to the American cemetery at Champigueul, and designated as X-73. On Dec. 6, 1948, the American Graves Registration Command declared the remains unidentifiable.
In January 2016, researchers determined that through advanced forensic technology, the remains might be identified, and X-73 was disinterred and the remains were sent to the DPAA laboratory in Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for identification.
Laboratory analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1420.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 12 December, 2016 09:16
Subject: Sailor Missing from World War II Identified
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Navy Yeoman 3rd Class Edmund T. Ryan, missing from World War II, has now been accounted for.
On Dec. 7, 1941, Ryan was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Ryan. No single vessel at Pearl Harbor, with the exception of the USS Arizona, suffered as many fatalities.
From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu'uanu Cemeteries.
In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Ryan.
In April 2015, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a policy memorandum directing the disinterment of unknowns associated with the USS Oklahoma. On June 15, 2015, DPAA personnel began exhuming the remains from the NMCP for analysis.
DNA analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1420.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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http://www.bradenton.com/news/nation-world/national/article114413628.html
12/08/2016
.....They laid him beside his mother, Bertha, who died of a broken heart nine months after Minard starved to death in a North Korean prisoner of war camp in 1951...... |
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Remains of Navy Man Killed in Pearl Harbor Attacks Identified and Returned to Family, 75 Years Later
https://www.yahoo.com/news/remains-navy-man-killed-pearl-214400218.html 12/08/16The remains of Lewis Wagoner, a Navy man who died at Pearl Harbor, were identified and returned to family members, exactly 75 years after the attack. |
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Remains of Mississippi native returned home
JACKSON, Miss. (NASM) - The remains of Mississippi native, Petty Officer 1st Class Jim Johnston, arrived in the state Tuesday....His remains were recently identified through the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency that exhumed remains from the National Memorial Cemetery ...
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 30 November, 2016 11:51
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Mississippi Sailor Accounted For From World War II
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Fireman 1st Class Jim H. Johnston, 23, of Wesson, Mississippi, unaccounted for from World War II.
He will be buried Dec. 7, on the 75th anniversary of his death, in his hometown.
His nephew, Frank Springs, of Lucedale, Mississippi, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him at (601) 947-7168.
The Department of Defense has no photos of Johnston on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
On Dec. 7, 1941, Johnston was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Welch. No single vessel at Pearl Harbor, with the exception of the USS Arizona, suffered as many fatalities.
From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu'uanu Cemeteries.
In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Johnston.
In April 2015, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a policy memorandum directing the disinterment of unknowns associated with the USS Oklahoma. On June 15, 2015, DPAA personnel began exhuming the remains from the NMCP for analysis.
To identify Johnston's remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA analysis, circumstantial evidence and laboratory analysis, to include dental comparisons, which matched his records.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 23 November, 2016 08:01
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Michigan Soldier Accounted For From World War II
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Army Pfc. Daniel Hunt, 18, of Columbiaville, Michigan, unaccounted for from the Korean War.
He will be buried Dec. 2 in Phoenix, Arizona.
His grand-niece, Debra Gauthier, is available for interviews, if you would like to contact her at 623-606-2002.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Hunt on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
On Sept. 28, 1951, Hunt was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in the vicinity of Hill 1030, conducting operations near an area referred to as Heartbreak Ridge. The Chinese launched an attack, which the company repelled. They were then ordered to move east and attack the enemy on Hill 867 nearby. Prior to their attack, the enemy launched a barrage of mortar fire against the Americans, and survivors withdrew to friendly lines. Following the withdrawal, Hunt was reported missing in action.
During an investigation by the U.S. Army Casualty office, three members of Hunt's unit reported that he had been killed during the fight. Based on this information, the U.S. Army declared him deceased.
On Feb. 12, 2016, the Republic of Korea unilaterally turned over remains believed to be unaccounted-for Americans from the Korean War. The recovered remains were reported to have been found near Heartbreak Ridge.
To identify Hunt's remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial, Y-chromosome short tandem repeat and autosomal DNA analysis, which matched two brothers, as well as anthropological analysis, which matched his records and circumstantial evidence.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS
Sent: 23 November, 2016 08:53
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Identified
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Cpl. Louis A. Damewood, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
On February 13, 1951, Cowan was a member of Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, when he was reported missing in action. The unit was attacking a road block set up by opposing forces near Hoengsong, South Korea, when he was declared missing.
In 1954, United Nations and communist forces exchanged the remains of war dead in what came to be called "Operation Glory." All remains recovered in Operation Glory were turned over to the Army's Central Identification Unit for analysis. The remains they were unable to identify were interred as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, known as the "Punchbowl." One set of remains was designated "Unknown X-14160."
On Nov. 6, 2016, the remains designated as X-14160 were exhumed and sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis.
DNA analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1420.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS
Sent: 23 November, 2016 08:53
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Identified
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Master Sgt. Joseph Durakovich, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
In late November 1950, Durakovich was a member of Company G, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, establishing a defensive position in Pongmyong-ni east of Kuni-ri, North Korea, when they were attacked by the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF). The Americans were continually attacked as they withdrew along the main supply route to Samso-ri, and they encountered a roadblock they could not break through. Following the battle, Durakovich could not be accounted for and was reported missing in action on Nov. 28, 1950.
Durakovich's name did not appear on any POW list provided by the CPVF or the North Korean People's Army, and no returning American POWs provided any information concerning Durakovich as a possible prisoner of war. Based on this information, a military review board amended his status to deceased in 1953.
In August and September 2002, a Joint U.S. and Korean People's Army recovery team conducted a Joint Recovery Operation at a site in Ung Bong, Village, North Korea, based on information provided by two Korean witnesses. The site was approximately 30 kilometers from where Durakovich was last seen. During the excavation, the team recovered material evidence and possible human remains.
DNA analysis and circumstantial evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call 703-699-1420.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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Korean War soldier from Pinckneyville to be buried 66 years after being reported missing
Presswood will be buried with full military honors, according to Staff Sgt. Kristen Duus, spokeswoman for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency...
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 23 November, 2016 09:21
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Illinois Soldier Accounted For From Korean War
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Army Cpl. Vernon D. Presswood, 19, of Pinckneyville, Illinois, unaccounted for from the Korean War.
He will be buried Dec. 3 in his hometown.
His sister, Phyllis McGee, also of Pinckneyville, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her at (618)792-6154.
The Department of Defense has the attached photos of Presswood on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
In late November, 1950, Presswood was a member of Heavy Mortar Company, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Approximately 2,500 U.S. and 700 South Korean soldiers assembled into the 31st Regimental Combat Team (RCT), which was deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when it was engaged by overwhelming numbers of Chinese forces. By Dec. 6, the U.S. Army evacuated approximately 1,500 wounded service members; the remaining soldiers had been either captured or killed in enemy territory. Because Presswood could not be accounted for by his unit at the end of the battle, he was reported missing in action as of Dec. 2, 1950.
Presswood's name did not appear on any prisoner of war lists and no repatriated Americans were able to provide any information concerning Presswood as a prisoner of war. Due to the prolonged lack of evidence, the U.S. Army declared him deceased as of Dec. 31, 1953.
Although the U.S. Army Graves Registration Service hoped to recover American remains that remained north of the Korean Demilitarized Zone after the war, administrative details between the United Nations Command and North Korea complicated recovery efforts. An agreement was made and in September and October 1954, in what was known as Operation Glory, remains were returned. However, Presswood's remains were not included and he was declared non-recoverable.
During the 25th Joint Recovery Operation in 2001, recovery teams conducted operations on the eastern bank of the Chosin Reservoir, Changjin County, North Korea, based on information provided by two Korean witnesses. The site was approximately one kilometer from the 31st RCT's defensive perimeter. During the excavation, the recovery team recovered possible human remains of at least seven individuals.
To identify Presswood's remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used circumstantial and anthropological evidence, including chest radiograph comparison, as well as DNA analysis; including mitochondrial and DNA, which matched his sister and nephew.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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https://www.yahoo.com/news/wwii-mystery-missing-sailors-actually-ny-cemetery-161605399.html 11/21/2016
In this Nov. 11, 2016 photo, a gravestone, left, with the inscription UNKNOWN U.S. SAILOR, is adorned with a flower and a small pumpkin at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, N.Y. A WWII researcher says he has documents showing the grave is one of four that each holds the body of a sailor who perished on Jan. 3, 1944, when their ship, the USS Turner, exploded and sank at the entrance to New York Harbor. That researcher believes many more victims of the disaster were buried in the graves together. The Pentagon still lists 136 sailors from the disaster as missing. (AP Photo/Frank Eltman)...
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Missouri to pay final respects to longtime MIA Korean War soldier
After 66 years, a fallen Missouri Korean War soldier will be laid to rest on Saturday. Army Corporal Donald Matney, of the southern Missouri town of Seymour, was 18 when he was assigned to Company H, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division...
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From: DPAA NCR OC Mailbox DPAA COMMS
Sent: 17 November, 2016 12:45
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Identified
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Sgt. 1st Harold P. Haugland, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
In late November, 1950, Haugland was a member of Company D, 15th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. Approximately 2,500 U.S. and 700 South Korean soldiers assembled into the 31st Regimental Combat Team (RCT), which was deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when it was engaged by overwhelming numbers of Chinese forces. By early December, the U.S. Army evacuated approximately 1,500 wounded service members; the remaining soldiers had been either captured or killed in enemy territory. Because Haugland could not be accounted for by his unit at the end of the battle, he was reported missing in action as of Dec. 2, 1950.
Haugland's name did not appear on any prisoner of war lists and no returning Americans were able to provide any information concerning Haugland as a prisoner of war. Due to the prolonged lack of evidence, the U.S. Army declared him deceased as of Dec. 31, 1953.
Although the U.S. Army Graves Registration Service hoped to recover American remains that remained north of the Korean Demilitarized Zone after the war, administrative details between the United Nations Command and North Korea complicated recovery efforts. An agreement was made and in September and October 1954, in what was known as Operation Glory, remains were returned. However, Haugland's remains were not included and he was declared non-recoverable.
During the 36th Joint Recovery Operation in 2004, recovery teams conducted operations on the eastern bank of the Chosin Reservoir, in the vicinity of Twikkae Village, North Korea, based on information provided by a Korean witness. During the excavation, the recovery team recovered possible human remains of at least five individuals.
DNA analysis, dental analysis and circumstantial and anthropological evidence were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
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Soldier buried 65 years after death as Korean POW
Stars and Stripes
The remains of Pfc. Lavern C. Ullmer, 23, of Dayton, were buried on Veterans Day with full military honors at the city’s Willow View Cemetery.
...Nov 30, 1950, after more than half his regiment was lost in attacks by the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, a Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency ...
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-------- Forwarded Message --------
Welcome HOME Private First Class Mattern!!
A tip of the Cover to HISTORY FLIGHT - http://historyflight.com/nw/ - for their continued commitment to 'Leave NO Man Behind'!
Until they ALL come home..........
-----Original Message-----
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 15 November, 2016 09:55
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Iowa Marine Accounted For From World War II
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Marine Pfc. Wilbur C. Mattern, 23, of Oelwein, Iowa, unaccounted for from World War II.
He will be buried Nov. 21 in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.
His nephew, James Mattern, of Sun City, Arizona, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him at (623) 694-7077.
The Department of Defense has the attached photos of Mattern on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
In November 1943, Mattern was assigned to Company M, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Mattern died on the second day of the battle, Nov. 21, 1943.
Despite the heavy casualties suffered by U.S. forces, military success in the battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.
In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. In 1946 and 1947, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio, but Mattern's remains were not recovered. On Feb. 28, 1949, a military review board declared Mattern's remains non-recoverable.
In June 2015, a nongovernmental organization, History Flight, Inc., notified DPAA that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the battle in November 1943. The remains were turned over to DPAA in July 2015.
To identify Mattern's remains, scientists from DPAA used laboratory analysis, including dental comparison, which matched Mattern's records, as well as circumstantial and material evidence.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 10 November, 2016 08:33
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Tennessee Soldier Accounted For From Korean War
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Army. Pfc. William W. Cowan, 19, of White House, Tennessee, unaccounted for from the Korean War.
He will be buried Nov. 19 in Fredonia, Ohio.
His nephew, William Lane, Jr., from Pataskala, Ohio, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him at (740) 739-3311.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Cowan on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
On February 12, 1951, Cowan was a member of Company M, 3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, when he was reported missing in action. The unit was attacking a road block set up by opposing forces near Hoengsong, South Korea, when he was declared missing.
While the American Graves Registration Service attempted to account for losses suffered by this unit, a search in the area yielded no results for Cowan. A repatriated prisoner of war reported that Cowan died at prisoner of war Camp 1, Changsong, North Korea, in May 1951. Based on this information, as well as details provided in a propaganda broadcast by the Chinese Communist Forces, the U.S. Army declared Cowan deceased.
On Sept. 7, 1954, a set of remains reportedly recovered from the prisoner of war cemetery at Camps 1 and 3, Chang Song, North Korea, were sent to the Central Identification Unit for attempted identification. The set of remains designated X-14230 were declared unidentifiable and transferred to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.
On June 13, 2016, the remains designated as X-14230 were exhumed and sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis.
To identify Cowan's remains, scientists from DPAA used dental, chest radiograph comparison and anthropological analyses, which matched his records, as well as circumstantial evidence.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 10 November, 2016 08:31
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Missouri Soldier Accounted For From Korean War
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Army. Cpl. Donald E. Matney, 18, of Seymour, Missouri, unaccounted for from the Korean War.
He will be buried Nov. 19 in his hometown.
His niece, Sandy Gormley, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her at (720) 352-6043.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Matney on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
On July 20, 1950, Matney was a member of Company H, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division when his unit attempted to delay enemy from capturing a town near Taejon, South Korea. Enemy infantry and armor units were able to force the division out of the town and block withdrawal routes. Matney was reported missing in action following the attacks.
In March 1951, unidentified remains were recovered by a local resident in Taejon and designated X-739. They were moved to the United Nations Military Cemetery in Tanggok, South Korea, where identification was attempted. Due to a lack of substantiating evidence, the remains were not able to be identified and interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii.
In May 2016, the remains were disinterred from the cemetery and sent to the laboratory for identification.
To identify Matney's remains, scientists from DPAA used dental, chest radiograph comparison and anthropological analysis, which matched his records and circumstantial evidence.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 10 November, 2016 08:28
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Louisiana Soldier Accounted For From Korean War
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Army Sgt. James E. Martin, 19, of Anacoco, Louisiana, unaccounted for from the Korean War.
He will be buried Nov. 17 in his hometown.
His nephew, Ronald Martin, of Hornbeck, Louisiana, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him at (318) 565-4559.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Martin on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
In late November, 1950, Martin was a member of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Approximately 2,500 U.S. and 700 South Korean soldiers assembled into the 31st Regimental Combat Team (RCT), which was deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when it was engaged by overwhelming numbers of Chinese forces. By Dec. 2, the U.S. Army evacuated approximately 1,500 wounded service members; the remaining soldiers had been either captured or killed in enemy territory. Following the withdrawal, fighting continued. Because Martin could not be accounted for by his unit at the end of the battle, he was reported missing in action as of Dec. 3, 1950.
Martin's name did not appear on any prisoner of war lists and no repatriated Americans were able to provide any information concerning Martin as a prisoner of war. Due to the prolonged lack of evidence, the U.S. Army declared him deceased as of Dec. 31, 1953.
Although the U.S. Army Graves Registration Service hoped to recover American remains that remained north of the Korean Demilitarized Zone after the war, administrative details between the United Nations Command and North Korea complicated recovery efforts. An agreement was made and in September and October 1954, in what was known as Operation Glory, remains were returned. However, Martin's remains were not included and he was declared non-recoverable.
During the 25th Joint Recovery Operation in 2001, recovery teams conducted operations on the eastern bank of the Chosin Reservoir, Changjin County, North Korea, based on information provided by two Korean witnesses. The site was approximately one kilometer from the 31st RCT's defensive perimeter. During the excavation, the recovery team recovered possible human remains of at least seven individuals.
To identify Martin's remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used circumstantial and anthropological evidence, including dental and chest radiograph comparison, as well as DNA analysis, including mitochondrial DNA, which matched two sisters.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/11/07/a-soldier-who-starved-to-death-in-a-north-korean-prison-camp-is-coming-home-65-years-later/
A soldier who starved to death in a North Korean prison camp is coming home — 65 years later
Wayne Minard knew at an early age that he wanted to be a soldier.
He joined the Army when he was 17 after persuading his mother to sign his enlistment papers. His family thought he would go on to build a lifelong career in the military....
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 07 November, 2016 08:17
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Identified
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Pfc. Daniel Hunt, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
On Sept. 28, 1951, Hunt was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in the vicinity of Hill 1030, conducting operations in an area referred to as Heartbreak Ridge. The Chinese launched an attack, which the company repelled. They were then ordered to move east and attack the enemy on Hill 867 nearby. Prior to their attack, the enemy launched a barrage of mortar against the Americans, and survivors withdrew to friendly lines. Following the withdrawal, Hunt was reported missing in action.
During an investigation by the U.S. Army Casualty office, three members of Hunt's unit reported that he had been killed during the fight, Sept. 28, 1951. Based on this information, the U.S. Army declared him deceased.
On Feb. 12, 2016, the Republic of Korea unilaterally turned over remains believed to be unaccounted-for Americans from the Korean War. The recovered remains were reported to have been found near Heartbreak Ridge.
DNA analysis, as well as circumstantial and anthropological evidence, were used in the identification of his remains.
Interment services are scheduled for Dec. 2 in Phoenix, Arizona.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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Welcome HOME Private First Class Gore!
A tip of the Cover to HISTORY FLIGHT, (a not-for-profit, non-government organization (NGO) for their commitment to the Missing in Action (MIA) mission. Their efforts on the Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands, alone, have brought forth over 50 sets of Remains of US Military for Identification in the last 24 months.
-----Original Message-----
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 07 November, 2016 08:05
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Kentucky Marine Accounted For From World War II
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Marine Pfc. Ben H. Gore, 20, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, unaccounted for from World War II.
He will be buried Nov. 14 in his hometown.
His niece, Betty Stites is available for interviews if you would like to contact her at (270) 839-7291. Also available is his nephew, Ben Gore, at (270) 839-4018.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
In November 1943, Gore was assigned to Special Weapons Group, 2nd Defense Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Gore was injured sometime during the four-day battle and died Nov. 25, 1943.
Despite the heavy casualties suffered by U.S. forces, military success in the battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.
In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. In 1946 and 1947, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio Island, but Gore's remains were not recovered. On Feb. 28, 1949, a military review board declared Gore's remains non-recoverable.
In June 2015, a nongovernmental organization, History Flight, Inc., notified DPAA that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. service members who fought during the battle in November 1943. The remains were turned over to DPAA in July 2015.
To identify Gore's remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial DNA analysis, which matched a niece; laboratory analysis, including dental and anthropological analysis, which matched Gore's records, as well as circumstantial and material evidence.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 04 November, 2016 08:42
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Kansas Soldier Accounted For From Korean War
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Army Cpl. Wayne Minard, 19, of Furley, Kansas, unaccounted for From the Korean War.
He will be buried Nov. 12 in Wichita, Kansas.
His great-nephew, Bruce Stubbs, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him at (316) 706-9955.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
In late November 1950, Minard was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, fighting units of the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF) in North Korea, in a delaying action south to Kunu-ri. Enemy forces launched a large-scale attack with heavy artillery and mortar fire on Nov. 25, when the regiment was located in defense positions near the Chongchon River. By the following day, enemy fighting had isolated the unit and they were ordered to withdraw. Minard was reported missing in action as of Nov. 26, 1950.
Minard's name did not appear on any POW list provided by the CPVF or the North Korean People's Army, however two repatriated American prisoners of war reported that Minard died at Hofong Camp, part of Pukchin-Tarigol Camp Cluster, on Feb. 16, 1951. Based on this information, a military review board amended Minard's status to deceased in 1951.
In April and May of 2005, a Joint Recovery Team conducted the 37th Joint Field Activity in Unsan County, South Pyongan Province, North Korea. On April 19, the team visited a site reported by a local witness to contain American remains.
To identify Minard's remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial DNA analysis, which matched two sisters, as well as dental and anthropological analysis, which matched his records and circumstantial evidence.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 04 November, 2016 09:15
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Ohio Soldier Accounted For From Korean War
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Army Pfc. Lavern C. Ullmer, 23, of Dayton, Ohio, unaccounted for from the Korean War.
He will be buried Nov. 11 in his hometown.
His nephew, John Gray, of Greenfield, Ohio, is available for interviews if you would like to call him at (740) 606-2899.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
In late November 1950, Ullmer was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, fighting units of the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF) in North Korea, in a delaying action south from the Ch'ongch'on River to Kunu-ri. Within days, more than half of the regiment was lost due to attacks from the CPFV. The unit was ordered to withdraw, and when Ullmer could not be accounted for, he was declared missing in action on Nov. 30, 1950.
Ullmer's name did not appear on any POW list provided by the CPVF or the North Korean People's Army, however two repatriated American prisoners of war reported that Ullmer died at Hofong Camp, part of Pukchin-Tarigol Camp Cluster, on Jan. 21, 1951. Based on this information, a military review board amended Ullmer's status to deceased in 1951.
In April and May of 2005, a Joint Recovery Team conducted the 37th Joint Field Activity in Unsan County, South Pyongan Province, North Korea. On April 19, the team visited a site reported by a local witness to contain American remains.
To identify Ullmer's remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial DNA analysis, which matched a sister and nephew, as well as anthropological analysis, which matched his records and circumstantial evidence.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 03 November, 2016 09:08
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: New York Soldier Accounted For From Korean War
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Army Pfc. William Giovanniello, 22, of Brooklyn, New York, unaccounted for from the Korean War.
He will be buried Nov. 10 in Port Jervis, New York.
His niece, Elizabeth Kendall, of Monticello, New York, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her at (854) 794-2168.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Giovanniello on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
On April 25, 1951, Giovanniello was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, when his unit was situated along a defensive line west of Chorw'on, South Korea, and was attacked by the Chinese People's Volunteer Force (CPVF) and Korea People's Army (KPA). The unit was forced to move south of the Yongpyong River and assemble near the town of Changgo-ri. Giovanniello's battalion established a roadblock to cover the movement and it was during this time it was found that Giovanniello was not with his unit and was reported missing in action.
Giovanniello's name did not appear on any prisoner of war lists provided by the CPVF or KPA, and no repatriated American prisoners of war had information regarding Giovanniello as a prisoner of war.
Although the U.S. Army Graves Registration Service hoped to recover American remains that remained north of the Korean Demilitarized Zone after the war, administrative details between the United Nations Command and North Korea complicated recovery efforts. An agreement was made and in September and October 1954, in what was known as Operation Glory, remains were returned. However, Giovanniello's remains were not included and he was declared non-recoverable.
In June 1951, an unidentified set of remains, previously recovered from Yang Mun-Ni, were buried in the Tanggok United Nations Military Cemetery and labeled "Unknown X-1219."
In Dec. 2014, the Department of Defense approved the disinterment of "Unknown X-1219." The remains were disinterred May 16, 2016 and were sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis.
To identify Giovanniello's remains, scientists from DPAA used circumstantial and anthropological evidence, as well as dental and chest radiograph comparison analysis, which matched his records.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 31 October, 2016 09:16
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: New York Soldier Accounted For From Korean War
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Army Cpl. Roy C. Fink, 20, of Buffalo, New York, unaccounted for from the Korean War.
He will be buried Nov. 4 in his hometown.
His nephew, Paul DeFrain, also of Buffalo, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him at (716) 898-0832.
The Department of Defense has no photos of Fink on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
In late November, 1950, Fink was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Approximately 2,500 U.S. and 700 South Korean soldiers assembled into the 31st Regimental Combat Team (RCT), which was deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when it was engaged by overwhelming numbers of Chinese forces. By early December, the U.S. Army evacuated approximately 1,500 wounded service members; the remaining soldiers had been either captured or killed in enemy territory. Because Fink could not be accounted for by his unit at the end of the battle, he was reported missing in action as of Dec. 2, 1950.
Fink's name did not appear on any prisoner of war lists and no repatriated Americans were able to provide any information concerning Fink as a prisoner of war. Due to the prolonged lack of evidence, the U.S. Army declared him deceased as of Dec. 31, 1953.
Although the U.S. Army Graves Registration Service hoped to recover American remains that remained north of the Korean Demilitarized Zone after the war, administrative details between the United Nations Command and North Korea complicated recovery efforts. An agreement was made and in September and October 1954, in what was known as Operation Glory, remains were returned. However, Fink's remains were not included and he was declared non-recoverable.
During the 25th Joint Recovery Operation in 2001, recovery teams conducted operations on the eastern bank of the Chosin Reservoir, Changjin County, North Korea, based on information provided by two Korean witnesses. The site was approximately one kilometer from the 31st RCT's defensive perimeter. During the excavation, the recovery team recovered possible human remains of at least seven individuals.
To identify Fink's remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used circumstantial and anthropological evidence, as well as DNA analysis, including mitochondrial DNA, which matched a nephew.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Welcome HOME Private First Class Cancilla!
A Tip of the Cover to Mark Noah and his team at History Flight - http://historyflight.com/nw/ - for their continued commitment to the Accounting mission. A true Non-Government Organization (NGO) History Flight has repatriated over 50 Marines from their efforts on Tarawa (Gilbert Islands) alone.
-----Original Message-----
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 31 October, 2016 08:16
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Pennsylvania Marine Accounted For From World War II
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Marine Pfc. Nicholas J. Cancilla, 18, if Altoona, Pennsylvania, unaccounted for from World War II.
He will be buried Nov. 7 in his hometown.
His niece, Darlene Johnson, of Midlothian, Virginia, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her at (804) 639-3617.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Cancilla on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
In November 1943, Cancilla was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Cancilla died sometime during the first day of the battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
Despite the heavy casualties suffered by U.S. forces, military success in the battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.
In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. In 1946 and 1947, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio, but Cancilla's remains were not recovered.
In June 2011, a nongovernmental organization, History Flight, Inc., notified DPAA that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island. In 2012, a Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (now DPAA) team excavated the site and recovered three individual sets of remains.
To identify Cancilla's remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial DNA analysis, which matched a brother, as well as circumstantial evidence and laboratory analysis, to include dental comparisons and anthropological analysis, which matched Cancilla's records.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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66 years after Corporal Fink went MIA in Korea, his remains return home
Roy C. Fink joined the Army at the age of 19 in September of 1949 and was sent to Korea.
He disappeared Dec. 2, 1951, at the Chosin Reservoir, one of the bloodiest battles of the Korean War .
Sixty-six years later, the soldier's remains are returning home this week, and his oldest surviving relative looks forward to the long-awaited homecoming...
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 28 October, 2016 07:28
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: New York Soldier Accounted For From Korean War
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Army Cpl. Joseph Trepasso, 20, of Fulton, New York, unaccounted for from the Korean War.
He will be buried Nov. 5 in his hometown.
His nephew, Milan Hubbard, also of Fulton, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him at (315) 598-4459.
The Department of Defense has no photos of Trepasso on File
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
In late November 1950, Trepasso was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division on the east side of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF) attacked the regiment and forced the unit to withdraw south to the Pungnyuri Inlet. Many soldiers became surrounded and attempted to escape and evade the enemy, but were captured and marched to POW camps. Trepasso was subsequently declared missing in action as a result of the battle that occurred Dec. 12, 1950.
Trepasso's name did not appear on any POW list provided by the CPVF or the Korean People's Army. In 1951, the Army received information that Trepasso was killed in action Dec. 1, 1950. Based on this information, a military review board amended his status to deceased Dec. 1, 1950.
In September 2001, a U.S. and Korean People's Army recovery team conducted a Joint Recovery Operation in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir, Changjin County, Changjin District, South Hamgyong Province, North Korea, based on information provided by two Korean witnesses. During the excavation, the team recovered material evidence and possible human remains for at least seven individuals.
To identify Trepasso's remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial DNA analysis, which matched a brother and nephew, as well as anthropological analysis and circumstantial evidence.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 27 October, 2016 13:30
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Identified (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Maj. Jack D. Griffiths, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
On Nov. 30, 1950, Griffiths was a member of Headquarters, 38th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, when he was reported missing in action in the vicinity of Somin-dong, North Korea.
Repatriated American prisoners of war reported that Griffiths died and was buried at Camp 5, Pyoktong, North Korea. Based on this information, the U.S. Army declared Griffiths deceased.
In 1954, United Nations and communist forces exchanged the remains of war dead in what came to be called "Operation Glory." All remains recovered in Operation Glory were turned over to the Army's Central Identification Unit for analysis. A set of remains designated as X-14411 were unable to be identified and were interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, known as the "Punchbowl."
In November 2013, the grave where X-14411 was buried was exhumed and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
DNA analysis, as well as circumstantial and anthropological evidence, were used in identifying Griffiths' remains.
Interment services are scheduled for Nov. 11 in Dayton, Ohio.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 27 October, 2016 13:24
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Identified (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Pfc. Lavern C. Ullmer, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
In late November 1950, Ullmer was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, fighting units of the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF) in North Korea, in a delaying action south from the Ch'ongch'on River to Kunu-ri. Within days, more than half of the regiment was lost due to attacks from the CPFV. The unit was ordered to withdraw, and when Ullmer could not be accounted for, he was declared missing in action on Nov. 30, 1950.
Ullmer's name did not appear on any POW list provided by the CPVF or the North Korean People's Army, however two repatriated American prisoners of war reported that Ullmer died at Hofong Camp, part of Pukchin-Tarigol Camp Cluster, on Jan. 21, 1951. Based on this information, a military review board amended Ullmer's status to deceased in 1951.
In April and May of 2005, a Joint Recovery Team conducted the 37th Joint Field Activity in Unsan County, South Pyongan Province, North Korea. On April 19, the team visited a site reported by a local witness to contain American remains.
DNA analysis, as well as circumstantial and anthropological evidence, were used in identifying Ullmer's remains.
Interment services are scheduled for Nov. 11 in Dayton, Ohio.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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A solider comes homes
After more than 65 years of knowing nothing more than a family member was missing in action and presumed dead during the Korean War, a family gathered on Tuesday to hear the Army’s account of Lavern Ullmer, and make decisions on the soldier’s remains finally being laid to rest....
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 25 October, 2016 11:29
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Identified
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Cpl. Donald E. Matney, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
On July 20, 1950, Matney was a member of Company H, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division when his unit attempted to delay enemy from capturing a town near Taejon, South Korea. Enemy infantry and armor units were able to force the division out of the town and block withdrawal routes. Matney was reported missing in action following the attacks.
In March 1951, unidentified remains were recovered by a local resident in Taejon and designated X-739. They were moved to the United Nations Military Cemetery in Tanggok, South Korea, where identification was attempted. Due to a lack of substantiating evidence, the remains were not able to be identified and were interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii.
In May 2016, the remains were disinterred from the cemetery and sent to the laboratory for identification.
Scientists used dental, chest radiograph comparison, and anthropological analysis to identify Matney's remains.
Interment services are scheduled for Nov. 19 in Seymour, Missouri.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 25 October, 2016 11:29
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Identified
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Sgt. James E. Martin, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
In late November, 1950, Martin was a member of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Approximately 2,500 U.S. and 700 South Korean soldiers assembled into the 31st Regimental Combat Team (RCT), which was deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when it was engaged by overwhelming numbers of Chinese forces. By Dec. 2, the U.S. Army evacuated approximately 1,500 wounded service members; the remaining soldiers had been either captured or killed in enemy territory. Following the withdrawal, fighting continued. Because Martin could not be accounted for by his unit at the end of the battle, he was reported missing in action as of Dec. 3, 1950.
Martin's name did not appear on any prisoner of war lists and no repatriated Americans reported Martin as a prisoner of war. The U.S. Army declared him deceased as of Dec. 31, 1953.
Although the U.S. Army Graves Registration Service hoped to recover American remains that remained north of the Korean Demilitarized Zone after the war, administrative details between the United Nations Command and North Korea complicated recovery efforts. An agreement was made and in September and October 1954, in what was known as Operation Glory, remains were returned. However, Martin's remains were not included and he was declared non-recoverable.
During the 25th Joint Recovery Operation in 2001, recovery teams conducted operations on the eastern bank of the Chosin Reservoir, Changjin County, North Korea, based on information provided by two Korean witnesses. The site was approximately one kilometer from the 31st RCT's defensive perimeter during its withdrawal. During the excavation, the recovery team recovered possible human remains of at least seven individuals.
DNA analysis, as well as circumstantial and anthropological evidence, were used in identifying Martin's remains.
Interment services are scheduled for Nov. 17 in Anacoco, Louisiana.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 21 October, 2016 07:19
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Ohio Sailor Accounted For From World War II
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Navy Seaman 1st Class William E. Welch, 18, of Springfield, Ohio, unaccounted for from World War II.
He will be buried Oct. 29 in Springfield, Ohio.
His nephew, Tony Hannon, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him at (937) 206-3773 .
The Department of Defense has no photos of Welch on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
On Dec. 7, 1941, Welch was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Welch. No single vessel at Pearl Harbor, with the exception of the USS Arizona, suffered as many fatalities.
From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu'uanu Cemeteries.
In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Welch.
In April 2015, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a policy memorandum directing the disinterment of unknowns associated with the USS Oklahoma. On June 15, 2015, DPAA personnel began exhuming the remains from the NMCP for analysis.
To identify Welch's remains, scientists from DPAA used circumstantial evidence and laboratory analysis, to include dental comparisons, which matched Welch's records.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 21 October, 2016 07:18
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Louisiana Soldier Accounted For From Korean War
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Army Sgt. 1st Class Lawrence J. Smith, 25, of Crowley, Louisiana, missing from the Korean War.
He will be buried Oct. 28 in his hometown.
His family does not wish to be contacted by media.
The Department of Defense has no photos of Smith on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
On February 11, 1951, Smith was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, supporting South Korea's Army attacks against the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF) in an area known as the central corridor. The CPVF launched a massive counterattack, forcing the Americans to fight at Changbong-ni. Smith was reported missing near the village of Saemal, South Korea, on Feb. 12, 1951.
In August 1953, a repatriated American soldier stated that Smith had been captured. Smith was likely taken to the Suan Prisoner of War camp complex near the village of Namjong-gu in the North Hwanghae Province, North Korea, where he was reported to have died.
Although the American Graves Registration Service hoped to recover the remains of United Nations Command (UNC) and American soldiers who remained north of the DMZ after the war, conflict between the UNC and North Korea complicated efforts.
Between 1990 and 1994, North Korea returned to the United States 208 boxes of commingled human remains, which when combined with remains recovered during joint recovery operations in North Korea between 1996 and 2005, included the remains of at least 600 U.S. servicemen who fought during the war. North Korean documents included in the repatriation indicated that some of the remains were recovered from the vicinity where Smith was believed to have died.
To identify Smith's remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial and autosomal DNA analysis, which matched a niece and daughter, as well as dental, chest radiograph comparison and anthropological analyses, and circumstantial evidence.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 18 October, 2016 11:04
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Illinois Sailor Accounted For From World War II
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Navy Fireman 3rd Class John H. Lindsley, 22, born in the Philippines, and raised in Waukegan, Illinois, unaccounted for from World War II.
He will be buried Oct. 25 in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, D.C.
His niece, Katherine Kany is available for interviews if you would like to contact her at (301) 529-2936.
The Department of Defense has no photos of Lindsley on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
On Dec. 7, 1941, Lindsley was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in 429 casualties, including Lindsley.
From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu'uanu Cemeteries.
In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as "non-recoverable," including Lindsley.
In April 2015, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a policy memorandum directing the disinterment of unknowns associated with the USS Oklahoma. On June 15, 2015, DPAA personnel began exhuming the remains from the NMCP for analysis.
To identify Lindsley's remains, scientists from DPAA used circumstantial evidence and laboratory analysis, to include dental comparisons, which matched Lindsley's records.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 14 October, 2016 07:32
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Michigan Soldier Accounted For From Korean War
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Cpl. Milton T. Bullis, 19, of Detroit, unaccounted for from the Korean War, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried Oct. 21 in Holly, Michigan.
In late November 1950, Bullis was a member of Medical Company, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, fighting units of the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF) in North Korea, in a delaying action south from the Ch'ongch'on River to Kunu-ri. Within days, more than half of the regiment was lost due to attacks from the CPVF. The unit was ordered to withdraw, and when Bullis could not be accounted for, he was declared missing in action on Dec. 1, 1950.
His niece, Lori Brooks, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her at (810) 553-2403.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Bullis on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 14 October, 2016 11:39
Subject: Soldier Killed in Korean War Identified
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Cpl. Melvin R. Hill, killed in the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
In late November 1950, Hill was one of 2,500 U.S. and 700 Republic of Korea soldiers assembled into the 31st Regimental Combat Team on the east side of the Chosin River. On the night of Nov. 27, the Chinese People's Volunteer Force surrounded the 31st RCT and attacked. Continued attacks over subsequent days forced Americans to withdraw. By Dec. 6, 1950, approximately 1,500 wounded soldiers were evacuated, and the remaining had been either captured or killed. Hill was reported missing in action as a result of the battles.
Hill's name did not appear on any list as a prisoner of war and no repatriated Americans could provide any information concerning Hill. Based on this information, the U.S. Army declared Hill deceased as of Dec. 31, 1953.
Between 1990 and 1994, North Korea returned to the United States 208 boxes of commingled human remains, which when combined with remains recovered during joint recovery operations in North Korea, included the remains of at least 600 U.S. servicemen who fought during the war. North Korean documents included in the repatriation indicated that some of the remains were recovered from the area where Hill was believed to have died.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Hill's remains were included.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil, or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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After 70 years, the remains of WWII veteran return to Mississippi
JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
A chilling silence fell over the tarmac Saturday as Delta Airlines flight 1163 touched down.
Nearly 70 years after paying the ultimate price fighting for his country, Marine Private First Class James Samuel Smith is finally back home.
Dan and Carey Smith are Smith's two nephews who have spent decades wondering if this day would ever come to fruition.
"It just makes you proud not only that he's coming home, but that the military still thinks enough of those missing in action," said Dan. "It was real, real emotional. I think I may have even shed a tear or two." .... |
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October 11, 2016
Dear Editor,
The family of Marine Pfc. James S. Smith, 19, of Liberty, Mississippi, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried Oct. 17 in his hometown.
In November 1943, Smith was assigned to Company C, 2nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Smith died sometime on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
His nephew, Carey S. Smith, of Vacherie, Louisiana, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him at (225) 436-8959.
The Department of Defense has no photos of Smith on file.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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October 11, 2016
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Donald L. Beals, 22, of Brookings, South Dakota, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried Oct. 17 in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington D.C.
On April 17, 1945, Beals was assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force, and was the pilot of a single-seat P-47D "Thunderbolt," on an armed reconnaissance mission near Dresden, Germany. En route to the target area, Beals reported that he had spotted enemy aircraft on the ground near Lonnewitz, Germany, and was instructed to attack. As Beals and his squadron leader began to dive, he was struck by intense anti-aircraft fire. He was reported missing in action subsequent to this attack, and declared dead on April 18, 1946..
His nephew, Donald Beals, of Roseville, California, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him at (916) 960-3345.
The Department of Defense has no photos of Beals on file.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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October 11, 2016
Dear Editor,
The family of Navy Seaman 2nd Class James N. Phipps, 24, of Rainier, Oregon, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried Oct. 17 in Portland, Oregon.
On Dec. 7, 1941, Phipps was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in 429 casualties, including Phipps.
His grand-niece, Kay Lynn Olson, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her at (503) 341-4569.
The Department of Defense has no photos of Phipps on file.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 07 October, 2016 08:27
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: New Hampshire Sailor Accounted For From World War II
Dear Editor,
The family of Navy Fireman 3rd Class Edwin C. Hopkins, 19, of Keene New Hampshire, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried Oct. 15 in his hometown.
On Dec. 7, 1941, Hopkins was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in 429 casualties, including Hopkins.
His nephew, Edwin Hopkins, of Runnemede, New Jersey, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him at 856-989-3311.
The Department of Defense has no photos of Hopkins on file.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 07 October, 2016 08:30
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Rhode Island Soldier Accounted For From the Korean War
Dear Editor,
The Department of Defense has accounted for Army Sgt. 1st Class James P. Shunney, 19, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, missing from the Korean War.
He will be buried Oct. 14 in Blackstone, Massachusetts.
In early November 1950, Shunney was a member of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, near Unsan, North Korea, when Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF) attacked the regiment and forced the unit to withdraw. Many soldiers became surrounded and attempted to escape and evade the enemy, but were captured and marched to POW camps. Shunney was declared missing in action as a result of the battle that occurred Nov. 2, 1950.
His family does not wish to be contacted by media.
The Department of Defense has no photos of Shunney on file.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 07 October, 2016 08:27
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Wisconsin Soldier Accounted For From the Korean War
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Cpl. Donald R. Hendrickson, 19, of Janesville, Wisconsin, unaccounted for from the Korean War, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried Oct. 15 in his hometown.
In late November, 1950, Hendrickson was a member of Headquarters Battery, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division. Approximately 2,500 U.S. and 700 South Korean soldiers assembled into the 31st Regimental Combat Team (RCT), which was deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when it was engaged by overwhelming numbers of Chinese forces. By early December, the U.S. Army evacuated approximately 1,500 wounded service members; the remaining soldiers had been either captured or killed in enemy territory. Because Hendrickson could not be accounted for by his unit at the end of the battle, he was reported missing in action as of Dec. 6, 1950.
His niece Bonnie Rupp Dixon is available for interviews if you would like to contact her at (262) 424-3212.
The Department of Defense has no photos of Hendrickson on file.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 07 October, 2016 08:26
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: South Dakota Soldier Accounted For From World War II
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Ben B. Barnes, 23, of Miller South Dakota, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried Oct. 15 in his hometown.
On Dec. 5, 1944, Barnes was assigned to the 361st Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, as the pilot of a single seat P-51D aircraft on an escort mission to Berlin, Germany, when he encountered enemy aircraft during the return flight. His plane was last reported northeast of Berlin over Eberswalde, and a German military shoot-down report documented a P-51 near Carlshof. However, due to political restrictions in the Russian-occupied zone, American Graves Registration teams were unable to conduct further investigations. The War Department declared Barnes deceased as of Dec. 6, 1945.
His cousin, Marc Krogstad, of Chamberlain, South Dakota, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him at (605) 234-5371.
The Department of Defense has the attached photos of Barnes on file.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 07 October, 2016 08:25
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Ohio Sailor Accounted For From World War II
Dear Editor,
The family of Navy Seaman 2nd Class Rudolph V. Piskuran, 19, of Elyria, Ohio, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried Oct. 14 in his hometown.
On Dec. 7, 1941, Piskuran was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in 429 casualties, including Piskuran.
His niece, Star Piskuran, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her at (440) 315-8396.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Piskuran on file.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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75 years later, seaman killed in Pearl Harbor to return home
KANSAS CITY, MO.
Three-quarters of a century after he was killed during the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the remains of a young Navy sailor finally are heading home to Kansas.
Lewis Lowell Wagoner was a 20-year-old Navy seaman second class when he perished and was declared missing after the Dec. 7, 1941, attack that propelled the United States into World War II. Wagoner was aboard the USS Oklahoma when that battleship, along with other U.S. warships, was doomed by torpedoes while helplessly moored in Pearl Harbor...
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Welcome HOME Field Music 1st Class Nelson!
A tip of the hat to History Flight - http://historyflight.com/nw/ - for their continued commitment to the POW/MIA Mission. They have been working as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) on the Tarawa Atoll for over two years and have recovered remains of 50 plus of US Marine Corps finest. Learn more about what they are doing on Tarawa Atoll and around the world by visiting their website.
-----Original Message-----
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 06 October, 2016 07:28
Subject: Marine Killed in World War II Accounted For (Nelson)
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Marine Field Music 1st Class Warren G. Nelson, killed in World War II, has now been accounted for.
In November 1943, Nelson was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed a stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several day of intense fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded. Nelson died on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
In June 2015, a nongovernmental organization, History Flight, Inc., notified DPAA that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the battle in November 1943. The remains were turned over to DPAA in July 2015.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Nelson's remains were included.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 03 October, 2016 10:22
Subject: Soldier Killed in Korean War Accounted For
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Cpl. Milton T. Bullis, killed in the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
In late November 1950, Bullis was a member of Medical Company, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, fighting units of the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF) in North Korea, in a delaying action south to Kunu-ri. Within days, the regiment had lost half of its assigned men against attacks from the CPVF. The unit was ordered to withdrawal, and when Bullis could not be accounted for, he was declared missing in action on Dec. 1, 1950.
In April and May of 2005, a Joint Recovery Team conducted the 37th Joint Field Activity in Unsan County, South Pyongan Province, North Korea.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Bullis' remains were included.
Interment services are scheduled for Oct. 21 in Holly, Michigan.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Cpl. Bullis.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 30 September, 2016 10:49
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: New York Soldier Accounted for From Korean War
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Cpl. William H. Smith, 18, of Hornell, New York, unaccounted for from the Korean War, asked us to send you today's news release on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried Oct. 7 in Elmira, New York.
In late November 1950, Smith was a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, when his unit was part of a planned attack north in an offensive to end the Korean War. The Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF) launched a counter attack on the units left and right of the regiment, but not the regiment itself, in hopes of drawing them into a trap. The regiment was ordered to withdraw, but Smith's battalion was ordered to hold its position and coordinate a withdrawal as tactical conditions permitted. During the night of Nov. 27, the CPFV attacked the regiment 10 miles southwest of Unsan, South Korea, near an area known as "Turtle's Head Bend." When the unit regrouped after the battle, Smith was reported missing in action as of Nov. 28, 1950.
His brother, Raymond Smith, of Dandridge, Tennessee, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him at 865-397-1962.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Smith on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 30 September, 2016 10:49
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Missouri Sailor Accounted for From World War II
Dear Editor,
The family of Navy Seaman 2nd Class Lewis L. Wagoner, 20, of Douglass County, Missouri, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried Oct. 8 in Whitewater, Kansas.
On Dec. 7, 1941, Wagoner was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in 429 casualties, including Wagoner.
His niece, Lee Longaker, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her at (801) 643-1156. Additionally, you can contact his niece, Lorna Davis at (951) 204-9332, or his sister-in-law Doris Wagoner at (316) 524-6279.
The Department of Defense has no photos of Wagoner on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 30 September, 2016 10:49
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: New York Soldier Accounted for From Korean War
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Sgt. 1st Class Louis M. Baxter, 22, of Massena, New York, unaccounted for from the Korean War, asked us to send you today's news release on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried Oct. 8 in his hometown.
In late November 1950, Baxter was a member of Headquarters Battery, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, on the east side of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF) attacked the regiment and forced the unit to withdraw south to the Pungnyuri Inlet. Many soldiers became surrounded and attempted to escape and evade the enemy, but were captured and marched to POW camps. Baxter was subsequently declared missing in action as a result of the battle that occurred Dec. 6, 1950.
His brother, Carlton Baxter, Jr., of Delray Beach, Florida, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him at (561) 345-1207.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Baxter on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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Welcome HOME, Private First Class Vosmer!
Special THANKS to the men and women at History Flight!
-----Original Message-----
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 30 September, 2016 10:49
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Colorado Marine Accounted for From World War II
Dear Editor,
The family of Marine Pfc. Ronald W. Vosmer, 22, of Denver, Colorado, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried Oct. 8 in his hometown.
In November 1943, Vosmer was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Vosmer died sometime on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
His nephew, Ron Harrison is available for interviews if you would like to contact him, at (408) 710-4301.
The Department of Defense has the attached photos of Vosmer on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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Welcome HOME Sargent Moore!
Once again, we render a respectful Slow Salute to all those at HISTORY FLIGHT - http://historyflight.com/nw/ - for their commitment to and success in the recovery of remains of those listed as Missing in Action.
-----Original Message-----
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 29 September, 2016 09:16
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Nebraska Marine Accounted for From World War II (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Marine Sgt. Fae V. Moore, 23, of Chadron, Nebraska, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried Oct. 6 in his hometown.
In November 1943, Moore was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Moore died sometime on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
His nephew, Lawrence Denton, of Lakewood, Colorado, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him at (303) 233-1208.
The Department of Defense has the attached photos of Moore on File.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 27 September, 2016 09:17
Subject: Soldier Killed in Korean War Accounted For (Cowan) (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Pfc. William W. Cowan, killed in the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
Cowan was a member of Company M, 3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, when he was reported missing in action, after his unit attacked a road block set up by opposing forces near Hoengsong, South Korea, Feb. 12, 1950.
On Sept. 7, 1954, a set of remains reportedly recovered from the prisoner of war cemetery at Camps 1 and 3, Chang Song, North Korea, were sent to the Central Identification Unit for attempted identification. The set of remains designated X-14230 were declared unidentifiable and transferred to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.
On June 13, 2016, the remains designated as X-14230 were exhumed and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Pfc. Cowan's remains were included.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 23 September, 2016 08:59
Subject: Soldier Killed in Korean War Accounted For (Fink) (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Cpl. Roy C. Fink, killed in the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
Fink was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when they were engaged by overwhelming numbers of Chinese forces in late November 1950. Wounded soldiers were evacuated, but Fink could not be accounted for and he was reported missing in action as of Dec. 2, 1950.
During the 25th Joint Recovery Operation in 2001, recovery teams conducted operations on the eastern bank of the Chosin Reservoir, in an area where Fink was reported missing. At least seven individuals were recovered and returned to the laboratory for processing.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, determined Fink's remains were included.
Interment service are pending.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Cpl. Fink.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 23 September, 2016 08:16
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Michigan Airman Accounted For From World War II (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Robert W. Ward, 22, of Pontiac, Michigan, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried Oct. 1 in his hometown.
On Dec. 23, 1944, Ward was assigned to the 559th Bombardment Squadron, 387th Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force. Ward was the co-pilot of a B-26C Marauder, with eight other crew members, that crashed after being struck by enemy fire while on a bombing mission against enemy forces near Philippsweiler, Germany. Ward and one other of the nine-member crew were reported killed in action.
His nephew, David Ward, of Enfield, New Hampshire, is available for interviews, if you would like to contact him at (603)-632-1175.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Ward on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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Sixty-six years later, Korean veteran will be laid to rest in Sarasota
Army Master Sgt. Charles J. Brown Jr. was only 20 years old when he was killed in Korea. ...
To identify Brown's remains, scientists from Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used ...
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 22 September, 2016 07:38
Subject: Airman Missing From World War II Accounted For (Barnes) (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Sir/Ma'am,
Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Ben B. Barnes, killed in World War II, has now been accounted for.
On Dec. 5, 1944, Barnes was a member of the 361st Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, as the pilot of a single seat P-51D aircraft on an escort mission to Berlin, Germany, when he encountered enemy aircraft during the return flight. His plane was last reported northeast of Berlin over Eberswalde, and a German military shoot-down report documented a P-51 near Carlshof. However, due to political restrictions in the Russian-occupied zone, American Graves Registration teams were unable to conduct further investigations.
From July to September 2015, two DPAA recovery teams excavated a site eyewitnesses led investigators to, and recovered two .50 caliber machine guns, which matched the serial numbers to Barnes' aircraft, as well as osseous material.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Barnes' remains were included.
Interment services are set for Oct. 15 in Miller, South Dakota.
Welcome home and rest in peace, 1st Lt. Barnes.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 20 September, 2016 14:10
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Accounted For (Smith, William) (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Sir/Ma'am,
Army Cpl. William H. Smith, killed in the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
In late November 1950, Smith was a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in a position southwest of Unsan, North Korea. The Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF) launched a counterattack, hoping to draw the regiment into a trap, forcing them to withdraw to a new defensive line. Smith was reported missing in action Nov. 28, 1950.
Between 1990 and 1994, North Korea returned to the united States 208 boxes of commingled human remains, which helped account for the remains of at least 500 U.S. servicemen who fought during the war.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Smith's remains were included.
Interment services are set for Oct. 7 in Elmira, New York.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Cpl. Smith.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 19 September, 2016 10:59
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: New York Soldier Accounted For From The Korean War (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Master Sgt. Charles J. Brown, Jr., 20, of Ozone Park, New York, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried Sept. 26 in Sarasota, Florida.
In early November 1950, Brown was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, when the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF) attacked the regiment and forced the unit to withdraw to the village of Ipsok, approximately five miles south of Unsan. The survivors attempted to set up a defensive perimeter, but many soldiers became surrounded and attempted to escape and evade the enemy, but the majority were captured and marched to POW camps.
His sister, Patricia McEnerney, of Flushing, New York, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her at (718) 461-6696.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Brown on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 20 September, 2016 10:18
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Accounted For (Giovanniello) (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Army Pfc. William V. Giovanniello, killed in the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
On April 25, 1951, Giovanniello was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, when his unit was along a defensive line west of Chorw'on, South Korea, and were attacked by the Chinese People's Volunteer Force and Korea People's Army. The unit was forced to move south, and when they established a roadblock to cover movement, it was found that Giovanniello was not with his unit and reported missing in action.
In June 1951, an unidentified set of remains, previously recovered from Yang Mun-Ni, were buried in the Tanggok United Nations Military Cemetery and labeled "Unknown X-1219." Although the remains were attempted to be identified, no positive match could be made and they were interred in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii.
On May 16, 2016, the remains were disinterred and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Pfc. Giovanniello's remains were included.
Interment services are pending.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Pfc. Giovanniello.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 20 September, 2016 10:18
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Accounted For (Johnson) (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Pfc. Everett E. Johnson, killed in the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
On Sept. 3, 1950, Johnson was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, in Taegu, South Korea. Johnson's company was cut off by enemy attacks and withdrew to join the rest of the battalion. During the course of the enemy attack, Johnson was killed by enemy fire.
In May 1951, an unidentified set of remains, previously recovered from a mass grave near Pultang, South Korea, were buried in the Tanggok United Nations Military Cemetery and labeled "Unknown X-1072." Although the remains were attempted to be identified, no positive match could be made and they were interred in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii.
On May 16, 2016, the remains were disinterred and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Pfc. Johnson's remains were included.
Interment services are pending.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Pfc. Johnson.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Sgt. 1st Class Louis M. Baxter, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
In late November 1950, Baxter was a member of Headquarters Battery, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, on the east side of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF) attacked the regiment and forced the unit to withdraw south to the Pungnyuri Inlet. Many soldiers became surrounded and attempted to escape and evade the enemy, but were captured and marched to POW camps. Baxter was subsequently declared missing in action as a result of the battle that occurred Dec. 6, 1950.
In September 2001, a U.S. and Korean People's Army recovery team conducted a Joint Recovery Operation in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir, Changjin County, Changjin District, South Hamgyong Province, North Korea, based on information provided by two Korean witnesses. During the excavation, the team recovered material evidence and possible human remains for at least seven individuals.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Sgt. 1st Class Baxter's remains were included.
Interment services are pending.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Sgt. 1st Class Baxter.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil or find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Cpl. Wayne Minard, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
In late November 1950, Minard was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, fighting units of the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF) in North Korea, in a delaying action south to Kunu-ri. Enemy forces launched a large-scale attack with heavy artillery and mortar fire on Nov. 25, when the regiment was located in defense positions near the Chongchon River. By the following day, enemy fighting had isolated the unit and they were ordered to withdraw. Minard was reported missing in action as of Nov. 26, 1950.
In April and May of 2005, a Joint Recovery Team conducted the 37th Joint Field Activity in Unsan County, South Pyongan Province, North Korea. On April 19, the team visited a site reported by a local witness to contain American remains.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Cpl. Minard's remains were included.
Interment services are pending.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Cpl. Minard.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil or find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Army Cpl. Joseph Trepasso, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
In late November 1950, Trepasso was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division on the east side of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF) attacked the regiment and forced the unit to withdraw south to the Pungnyuri Inlet. Many soldiers became surrounded and attempted to escape and evade the enemy, but were captured and marched to POW camps. Trepasso was subsequently declared missing in action as a result of the battle that occurred Dec. 12, 1950.
In September 2001, a U.S. and Korean People's Army recovery team conducted a Joint Recovery Operation in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir, Changjin County, Changjin District, South Hamgyong Province, North Korea, based on information provided by two Korean witnesses. During the excavation, the team recovered material evidence and possible human remains for at least seven individuals.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Cpl. Trepasso's remains were included.
Interment services are pending.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Cpl. Trepasso.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil or find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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Welcome HOME, Private First Class Smith!
A tip of the hat to History Flight - http://historyflight.com/nw/ - for all their excellent work on the Tarawa Atoll.
History Flight has been directly involved in the closing of over 50 MIA cases in the last 24 months.
Thank YOU for all You Do!
-----Original Message-----
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 08 September, 2016 09:35
Subject: Marine Killed in World War II Accounted For (Smith) (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Marine Pfc. Pfc. James S. Smith, killed in World War II, has now been accounted for.
In November 1943, Smith was assigned to Company C, 2nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, which landed a stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several day of intense fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded. Smith died on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
In late 2012, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, now DPAA, conducted a mission to Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, to investigate an area previously identified by a nongovernmental organization, History Flight, Inc., as a site for recovery of possible American remains from the November 1943 battle. During this investigation, the team recovered the remains of three individuals from an area previously identified as Cemetery 25.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Smith's remains were included.
Interment services are pending.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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-------- Forwarded Message --------
Welcome HOME Private Penna!
Special THANKS to History Flight http://historyflight.com/nw/ - working so hard help account for our Missing in Action that have successfully completed all the hard work to identify Private Penna and bring closure to his MIA case. Please visit their web-site to learn the details of their work and while your there don’t forget – they are a NON-PROFIT – and could use your support.
-----Original Message-----
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 09 September, 2016 07:00
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: New York Marine Accounted For From World War II (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Marine Pvt. Frank F. Penna, 24, of Canastota, New York, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains. He will be buried Sept. 17 in his hometown.
In November 1943, Penna was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed a stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Penna died on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
His brother, Frederick Penna, also of Canastota, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him at (615) 697-7612.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Penna on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 09 September, 2016 07:01
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Kansas Airman Accounted For From the Vietnam War (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Air Force Maj. Dean A Klenda, 25, of Wichita, Kansas, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains. He will be buried Sept. 17 in Pilsen, Kansas.
On Sept. 17, 1965, Klenda was assigned to the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron as the pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief that was attacking enemy targets in Son La Province, Vietnam. During Klenda's mission, his aircraft was struck by enemy fire causing him to eject from the Thunderchief. He failed to separate from his ejection seat before it impacted the ground. Klenda was reported missing in action.
His sister, Deanna Klenda, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her at (316) 841-5926.
The Department of Defense has no photos of Klenda on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 09 September, 2016 07:00
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Alabama Soldier Accounted For From the Korean War (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Cpl. Larry M. Dunn, 18, of Cullman, Alabama, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains. He will be buried Sept. 17 in his hometown.
In early December 1950, while Dunn was assigned to Company B, 2nd Engineer Combat Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, his unit was fighting through a roadblock that was heavily defended by enemy forces near Sonchu, North Korea. Dunn went missing in action as a result of the battle.
His niece, Rhonda Courington, of Pinson, Alabama, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her at (205) 680-3822.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Dunn on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
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| Sgt. |
James L Hubert |
U.S. Marine Corps |
Company H, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division |
11/21/1943 |
Tarawa |
9/1/2016 |
| Pfc. |
Ben H Gore |
U.S. Marine Corps |
Special Warfare Group, 2nd Defense Battalion, Fleet Marine Force |
11/25/1943 |
Tarawa |
9/1/2016 |
| Pfc. |
John W. Mac Donald |
U.S. Marine Corps |
Company F, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division |
11/20/1943 |
Tarawa |
9/1/2016 |
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Welcome HOME, Sargent Hubert!
Credit for the discovery/recovery of Sgt. Hubert goes to HISTORY FLIGHT - http://historyflight.com/nw/ - Thank YOU all for your commitment to the recovery of our Missing in Action!
-----Original Message-----
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 02 September, 2016 12:42
Subject: Marine Accounted For From World War II (Hubert)
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Marine Sgt. James J. Hubert, killed in World War II, has now been accounted for.
In November 1943, Hubert was assigned to Company H, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines Marine Division, which landed a stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded. Hubert died on the second day of battle, Nov. 21, 1943.
In June 2015, a nongovernmental organization, History Flight, Inc., notified DPAA that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the battle.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Hubert's remains were included.
Interment services are pending.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
PublicAffairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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-------- Forwarded Message --------
Welcome HOME, Private First Class Mac Donald!
Credit for the discovery/recovery of Sgt. Hubert goes to HISTORY FLIGHT - http://historyflight.com/nw/ - Thank YOU all for your commitment to the recovery of our Missing in Action!
Until they all come home..........
moe
-----Original Message-----
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 02 September, 2016 12:44
Subject: Marine Accounted For From World War II (Mac Donald)
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Marine Pfc. John W. Mac Donald, killed in World War II, has now been accounted for.
In November 1943, Mac Donald was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed a stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded. Mac Donald died on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
In June 2015, a nongovernmental organization, History Flight, Inc., notified DPAA that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the battle.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Mac Donald's remains were included.
Interment services are pending.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
PublicAffairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Welcome HOME, Private First Class Gore!
Credit for the discovery/recovery of Sgt. Hubert goes to HISTORY FLIGHT - http://historyflight.com/nw/ - Thank YOU all for your commitment to the recovery of our Missing in Action!
Until they all come home..........
moe
-----Original Message-----
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 02 September, 2016 13:01
Subject: Marine Accounted For From World War II (Gore)
Dear Sir/Ma'am,
Marine Pfc. Ben H. Gore, killed in World War II, has now been accounted for.
In November 1943, Gore was assigned to Special Weapons Group, 2nd Defense Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, which landed a stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded. Gore died after sustaining wounds from the battle, Nov. 25, 1943.
In June 2015, a nongovernmental organization, History Flight, Inc., notified DPAA that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the battle.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Gore's remains were included.
Interment services are pending.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
PublicAffairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
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| Cpl. |
Curtis J. Wells |
U.S. Army |
Company C, 65th Engineer Combat Battalion, 25th Infantry Division |
11/27/1950 |
North Korea |
7/21/2016 |
|
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 01 September, 2016 11:00
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Michigan Soldier Accounted For From the Korean War (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Cpl. Curtis J. Wells, 19, of Ubly, Michigan, asked us to send you today's news released (attached) on the identification of his remains. He will be buried Sept. 10 in Harbor Beach, Michigan.
In late November 1950, while Wells was assigned to Company C, 65th Engineer Combat Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, his company joined with Task Force (TF) Wilson to fight the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces (CPVF) in the vicinity of Unsan, North Korea. The TF was overwhelmed by a large force of CPVF soldiers, and by Nov. 27, 1950, they began to extricate themselves south and Company C returned to the control of the battalion. As the battalion attempted to account for its casualties, Wells was reported missing in action.
His sister, Elizabeth Liedke, of Bad Axe, Michigan, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her at (989) 856-4714.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Wells on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
|
|
| Pvt. |
Virgil B. Adkins |
U.S. Army |
Company B, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division |
7/17/1953 |
North Korea |
8/10/2016 |
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 26 August, 2016 09:47
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: West Virginia Soldier Accounted For From Korean War (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Pvt. Virgil B. Adkins, 21, of Hinton, West Virginia, unaccounted for from the Korean War, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried Sept. 3 in his hometown.
On July 17, 1953, Adkins was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, on a combat patrol to reconnoiter enemy activity in an area north of the former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), North Korea, when it came under attack, forcing a withdrawal back to friendly lines. As a result of the fighting, Adkins was reported missing in action.
His family does not wish to be contacted by media.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Adkins on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
|
| Pfc. |
Anthony Brozyna |
U.S. Marine Corps |
Company G, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division |
11/20/1943 |
Tarawa Atoll |
4/6/2016 |
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Welcome HOME, PFC Brozyna!
A reminder - the majority of the Identification notices you received indicating the remains were located around the Tarawa Atoll - the credit needs to be given to the Non-Government Organization (NGO) History Flight - http://historyflight.com/nw/ - They are a non-profit that has been committed to locating and identifying our Missing in Action for many years. Their record literally speaks for itself.
Visit their site to learn more about the quantity as well as the quality of the work they continue to do to ensure we 'leave no man behind'.
Thank YOU, History Flight!
-----Original Message-----
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 24 August, 2016 08:34
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Connecticut Marine Accounted For From World War II (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Marine Corps Pfc. Anthony Brozyna, of Hartford, Connecticut, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried August 31, in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, D.C.
In November 1943, Brozyna was assigned to Company G, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed a stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Brozyna died on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
His nephew, Anthony Brozyna, of Richmond, Virginia, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him, at (804) 334-0690.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Brozyna on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
|
| Capt. |
Elwood J. Euart |
U.S. Army |
Headquarters, 103rd Field Artillery Battalion, 43rd Infantry Division |
10/26/1942 |
Vanuatu |
5/11/2016 |
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 24 August, 2016 08:34
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Rhode Island Soldier Accounted For From World War II (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Capt. Elwood J. Euart, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried August 31 in his hometown.
On Oct. 26, 1943, Euart was assigned to Headquarters, 103rd Field Artillery Battalion, 43rd Infantry Division aboard the U.S. Army Transport (USAT) President Coolidge, when it entered a minefield near Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides, in the Republic of Vanuatu. The ship struck two mines and eventually sank. Euart was one of only two crewmen lost of approximately 5,000 troops aboard the ship.
His nephew, Elwood R. Vallee, of East Wakefield, New Hampshire, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him at (603) 522-6025.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Euart on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
|
|
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 22 August, 2016 12:07
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Georgia Sailor Accounted For From World War II (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Navy Lt. Julian B. Jordan, of Dawson, Georgia, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried August 29 in Bremerton, Washington.
On Dec. 7, 1941, Jordan was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewman, including Jordan. No single vessel at Pearl Harbor, with the exception of the USS Arizona, suffered as many casualties.
His daughter, Ann Jordan Remers, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her at (520) 490-4992.
Additionally, his grandson, Julian Remers is available to for contact at (307) 399-4068.
The Department of Defense has now photos of Jordan on File.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
| Pfc. |
George H. Traver |
USMC |
Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division |
11/20/1943 |
Tarawa Atoll |
5/24/2016 |
Welcome HOME PFC Traver!
Thank YOU! History Flight for staying true to the course.
-----Original Message-----
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 19 August, 2016 08:31
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: New York Marine Accounted For From World War II (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Marine Pfc. George H. Traver, of Chatham, New York, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried August 28 in his hometown.
In November 1943, Traver was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Traver died sometime on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
Traver's nephew, David Silliman, also of Chatham, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him at (518) 965-1074. Also available is nephew George Traver, at (518) 392-5591.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Traver on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
|
| Pfc. |
James F. Mansfield |
U.S. Marine Corps |
Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division |
11/20/1943 |
Tarawa Atoll |
5/6/2016 |
Welcome HOME PFC Mansfield!
Thank YOU! to those at History Flight for their continued commitment to accounting for our Missing in Action.
-----Original Message-----
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 19 August, 2016 08:31
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Massachusetts Marine Accounted For From World War II (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Marine Pfc. James F. Mansfield, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried August 27 in his hometown.
In November 1943, Mansfield was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa
Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded,
but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Mansfield died sometime on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
Mansfield's family does not wish to be contacted by media.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Mansfield on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
|
| Sgt. |
James L. Campbell |
U.S. Army |
31st Regimental Combat Team |
12/2/1950 |
North Korea |
7/26/2016 |
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 19 August, 2016 08:30
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Connecticut Soldier Accounted For From Korean War (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Sgt. James L. Campbell, 18, of Waterford, Connecticut, unaccounted for from the Korean War, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried August 26 in his hometown.
In late November 1950, Campbell was one of 2,500 U.S. and 700 Republic of Korea soldiers assembled into the 31st Regimental Combat Team on the east side of the Chosin River. On the night of Nov. 27, the Chinese People's Volunteer Force surrounded the 31st RCT and attacked. Continued attacks over subsequent days forced Americans to withdraw. By Dec. 6, 1950, approximately 1,500 wounded soldiers were evacuated, and the remaining had been either captured or killed. Campbell was reported missing in action as a result of the battles.
Campbell's nephew, Steven Smith, also of Waterford, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him, at (860) 442-2834.
The Department of Defense has the attached photos of Campbell on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
| |
71 years later, WWII pilot's remains being recovered in Hawaii
Stripes Okinawa 08/17/2016Navy Reserve Ensign Harold P. DeMoss’ F6F-3 Hellcat went down during a night training mission on June 23, 1945, in the Koolau Mountains —
leaving his family to ask unsuccessfully and repeatedly over ensuing decades about bringing him home.
The Army last week provided a Black Hawk helicopter to drop off nine team members with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency at the remote site ...
|
|
| Pvt. |
Dale R. Geddes |
USMC |
Company H, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division |
11/20/1943 |
Tarawa Atoll |
4/13/2016 |
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Welcome HOME Pvt. Geddes!
Although not stated by the DPAA, I believe credit for this Soldier coming home has to do with History Flight - http://historyflight.com/nw/ - to our knowledge they are the
only non-government organization (NGO) working recovery in this area. Thank YOU History Flight!
-----Original Message-----
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 15 August, 2016 09:46
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Nebraska Marine Accounted For From World War II (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Marine Pvt. Dale R. Geddes, 21, of Grand Island, Nebraska, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried August 22 in his hometown.
In November 1943, Geddes was assigned to Company H, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Geddes died sometime on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
His great-niece, Linda Elliott, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her, at (303) 909-9784.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Geddes on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
|
| Seaman 1st Class |
Murry R. Cargile |
U.S. Navy |
USS Oklahoma |
12/7/1941 |
Pearl Harbor |
8/12/2016 |
| Fireman 1st Class |
Jim H. Johnston |
U.S. Navy |
USS Oklahoma |
12/7/1941 |
Pearl Harbor |
8/12/2016 |
| Pvt. |
Virgil B. Adkins |
U.S. Army |
Company B, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division |
7/17/1953 |
North Korea |
8/10/2016 |
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 16 August, 2016 10:52
Subject: Sailor Killed in World War II Accounted For (Cargile) (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Ma'am/Sir,
Navy Seaman 1st Class Murry R. Cargile, killed in the attack on the USS Oklahoma on Dec. 7, 1941, has now been accounted for.
The USS Oklahoma (BB-37) arrived in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 6, 1940, and spent the next several months participating in exercises and conducting patrols. On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, a fleet of Japanese carriers launched formations of dive bombers, torpedo planes and fighters against the vessels moored in the shallows of Pearl Harbor. The USS Oklahoma suffered 429 casualties as it quickly capsized due to damages sustained from multiple torpedoes. The majority of the casualties (Sailors and Marines) were never identified.
During efforts to salvage the vessel, Navy personnel collected a large number of remains representing as many as 400 individuals. Most of these were later buried as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. In 2015, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency personnel exhumed these remains and as a result in advances in forensic and analytical capabilities, were able to identify Cargile.
Interment services are pending.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Seaman Cargile.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 16 August, 2016 10:54
Subject: Sailor Killed in World War II Accounted For (Johnston) (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Ma'am/Sir,
Navy Fireman 1st Class Jim H. Johnston, killed in the attack on the USS Oklahoma on Dec. 7, 1941, has now been accounted for.
The USS Oklahoma (BB-37) arrived in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 6, 1940, and spent the next several months participating in exercises and conducting patrols. On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, a fleet of Japanese carriers launched formations of dive bombers, torpedo planes and fighters against the vessels moored in the shallows of Pearl Harbor. The USS Oklahoma suffered 429 casualties as it quickly capsized due to damages sustained from multiple torpedoes. The majority of the casualties (Sailors and Marines) were never identified.
During efforts to salvage the vessel, Navy personnel collected a large number of remains representing as many as 400 individuals. Most of these were later buried as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. In 2015, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency personnel exhumed these remains and as a result in advances in forensic and analytical capabilities, were able to identify Johnston.
Interment services are pending.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Petty Officer Johnston.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 15 August, 2016 09:55
Subject: Soldier Killed in Korean War Accounted For (Adkins) (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Sir/Ma'am,
Army Pvt. Virgil B. Adkins, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
On July 17, 1953, Adkins was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, on a combat patrol to reconnoiter enemy activity in an area north of the former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), North Korea, when it came under attack, forcing a withdrawal back to friendly lines. As a result of the fighting, Adkins was reported missing in action.
Between 1990 and 1994, North Korea returned to the United States 208 boxes of commingled human remains, which helped account for the remains of at least 600 U.S. servicemen who fought during the war.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Adkins' remains were included.
Interment services are set for Sept. 3, in Hinton, West Virginia.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Pvt. Adkins.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.dpaa.mil and/or like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
|
| Cpl. |
Ronald M. Sparks |
U.S. Army |
Company D, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division |
2/12/1951 |
South Korea |
7/27/2016 |
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 12 August, 2016 08:53
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Massachusetts Soldier Accounted For From Korean War (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Cpl. Ronald M. Sparks, 19, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, unaccounted for from the Korean War, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried August 19 in Everett, Massachusetts.
In February 1951, Sparks was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, when his unit was clearing a road block held by enemy forces in the vicinity of Hoengsong, South Korea. Sparks was reported missing in action during the mission.
Sparks' family does not wish to be contacted by media.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Sparks on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
|
From: Waggoner, Natasha L Maj USAF DPAA EXT COMM (US)
Sent: 11 August, 2016 19:33
Subject: Marine Killed in World War II Accounted For (Mattern)
Sir/Ma'am-
Marine Pfc. Wilbur C. Mattern, killed in World War II, has now been
accounted for.
In November 1943, Mattern was assigned to Company M, 3rd Battalion, 8th
marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed a stiff Japanese
resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert
Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several day of intense
fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors and more than 2,000 were
wounded. Mattern died on the second day of battle, Nov. 21, 1943.
In June 2015, a nongovernmental organization, History Flight, Inc., notified
DPAA that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the
remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the
battle.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence
available, established Mattern's remains were included.
Interment services are pending.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Pfc. Mattern.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or
like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
V/R
Maj. Natasha Waggoner, USAF
Deputy, Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
|
| Sgt. |
Fae V. Moore |
U.S. Marine Corps |
Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division |
11/20/1943 |
Tarawa Atoll |
8/9/2016 |
From: Waggoner, Natasha L Maj USAF DPAA EXT COMM (US)
Sent: 11 August, 2016 19:33
Subject: Marine Killed in World War II Accounted For (Moore)
Sir/Ma'am-
Marine Sgt. Fae V. Moore, killed in World War II, has now been accounted
for.
In November 1943, Moore was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine
Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed a stiff Japanese resistance on
the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an
attempt to secure the island. Over several day of intense fighting,
approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors and more than 2,000 were wounded.
Moore died sometime on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
In June 2015, a nongovernmental organization, History Flight, Inc., notified
DPAA that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the
remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the
battle.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence
available, established Moore's remains were included.
Interment services are pending.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Sgt. Moore.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or
like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
Maj. Natasha Waggoner, USAF
Deputy, Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
|
| Flight Officer |
Judson B. Baskett |
U.S. Army Air Forces |
1305th Army Air Force Base Unit |
11/27/1945 |
Malaysia |
6/15/2016 |
The crash site was discovered by Malaysians in 1966 and the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur was notified. A U.S. Air Force Air Attache reportedly traveled to the site and confirmed the tail number of the plane. Remains were not collected. In 1985, the wreck was rediscovered by locals who reported the find. Then in 2009, locals found and photographed it again, reporting it to the U.S. Embassy in Malaysia.
Finally in 2015 an agreement between the Royal Malaysian Armed forces and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency was reached to travel to the site and recover remains.
|
| Pvt. |
Emmett L. Kines |
U.S. Marine Corps |
Company F, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division |
11/20/1943 |
Tarawa Atoll |
5/8/2016 |
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Welcome HOME, Pvt. Kines!
A tip of the hat to HISTORY FLIGHT (http://historyflight.com/nw/) and all their efforts worldwide to account for our Missing in Action.
FYI - in the last 24 months History Flight has recovered approximately 50 sets of remains in the Tarawa Islands alone bringing closure to many Families waiting more than 70 years for their soldier to come home.
Until they all come home..........
-----Original Message-----
From: Waggoner, Natasha L Maj USAF DPAA EXT COMM (US)
Sent: 08 August, 2016 22:28
Subject: Marine Killed in World War II Accounted For (Kines)
Sir/Ma'am-
Marine Pvt. Emmett L. Kines, killed in World War II, has now been accounted
for.
In November 1943, Kines was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine
Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed a stiff Japanese resistance on
the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an
attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting,
approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were
wounded. Kines died sometime on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
In June 2015 a nongovernmental organization, History Flight, Inc., notified
DPAA that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the
remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the
battle.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence
available, established Kines' remains were included.
Interment services are pending.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Pvt. Kines.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or
like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
V/R
Maj. Natasha Waggoner, USAF
Deputy, Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
| Pfc. |
Ronald W. Vosmer |
U.S. Marine Corps |
Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division |
11/20/1943 |
Tarawa Atoll |
4/12/2016 |
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Welcome HOME, PFC Vosmer!
A tip of the hat to HISTORY FLIGHT (http://historyflight.com/nw/ ) and all their efforts worldwide to account for our Missing in Action.
FYI - in the last 24 months History Flight has recovered approximately 50 sets of remains in the Tarawa Islands alone bringing closure to many Families waiting more than 70 years for their soldier to come home.
Until they all come home..........
-----Original Message-----
From: Waggoner, Natasha L Maj USAF DPAA EXT COMM (US)
Sent: 08 August, 2016 22:28
Subject: Marine Killed in World War II Accounted For (Vosmer)
Sir/Ma'am-
Marine Pfc. Ronald W. Vosmer, killed in World War II, has now been accounted
for.
In November 1943, Vosmer was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th
Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed a stiff Japanese
resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert
Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense
fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than
2,000 were wounded. Vosmer died sometime on the first day of battle, Nov.
20, 1943.
In June 2015 a nongovernmental organization, History Flight, Inc., notified
DPAA that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the
remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the
battle.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence
available, established Vosmer's remains were included.
Interment services are pending.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Pfc. Vosmer.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or
like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
V/R
Maj. Natasha Waggoner, USAF
Deputy, Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
| Pvt. |
Frank F. Penna |
U.S. Marine Corps |
Comapny E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division |
11/20/1943 |
Tarawa Atoll |
6/19/2016 |
Welcome HOME, Pvt. Penna!
A tip of the hat to HISTORY FLIGHT (http://historyflight.com/nw/) and all their efforts worldwide to account for our Missing in Action.
FYI - in the last 24 months History Flight has recovered approximately 50 sets of remains in the Tarawa Islands alone bringing closure to many Families waiting more than 70 years for their soldier to come home.
Until they all come home..........
-----Original Message-----
From: Waggoner, Natasha L Maj USAF DPAA EXT COMM (US)
Sent: 08 August, 2016 22:28
Subject: Marine Killed in World War II Accounted For (Penna)
Sir/Ma'am-
Marine Pvt. Frank F. Penna, killed in World War II, has now been accounted
for.
In November 1943, Penna was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine
Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed a stiff Japanese resistance on
the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an
attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting,
approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were
wounded. Penna died sometime on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
In June 2015 a nongovernmental organization, History Flight, Inc., notified
DPAA that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the
remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the
battle.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence
available, established Penna's remains were included.
Interment services are scheduled for Oct. 8 in Canastota, New York.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Pvt. Penna.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or
like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
V/R
Maj. Natasha Waggoner, USAF
Deputy, Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
| Pfc. |
William R. Butz |
U.S. Army |
Company K, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division |
12/12/1950 |
North Korea |
6/8/2016 |
| |
Korean War soldier MIA coming home
Korean War soldier MIA coming home ... “He's been MIA all this time,” said Gary Hein, the soldier's brother-in-law. ... amended his status to deceased in 1953, according to the news release from the POW/MIA Accounting Agency...
Then on Friday, the Department of Defense announced that investigators had identified the remains of Pfc. William R. Butz.
The Ridgefield couple were notified of the identification in April, so Friday’s news didn’t take them by surprise.
|
|
| Flight Officer |
Judson B. Baskett |
U.S. Army Air Forces |
1305th Army Air Force Base Unit |
11/27/1945 |
Malaysia |
6/15/2016 |
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 05 August, 2016 12:59
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Texas Airman Accounted For From World War II (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Air Forces Flight Officer Judson B. Baskett, of Houston, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains. He will be buried August 12 in his hometown.
On Nov. 27, 1945, Baskett was assigned to 1305th Army Air Force Base Unit, piloting a C-47B aircraft, en route from Singapore to Butterworth, Malaysia, to pick up cargo, along with two crewmembers. An hour after takeoff, the aircraft reported its position over Malacca, but failed to land as scheduled in Butterworth. An air search conducted in December did not locate a crash site.
His family does not wish to be contacted by media.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Baskett on file.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate |
| Pfc. |
William R. Butz |
U.S. Army |
Company K, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division |
12/12/1950 |
North Korea |
6/8/2016 |
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US)
Sent: 05 August, 2016 13:09
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Washington Soldier Accounted For From Korean War (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Pfc. William R. Butz, of Glendive, Montana, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains. He will be buried August 12 in Vancouver, Washington.
On Dec. 12, 1950, Butz, a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, was declared missing in action after his unit was heavily attacked by enemy forces in an area known as the "inlet," near the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Due to a prolonged lack of information regarding his status, a military review board amended his status to deceased in 1953.
His brother-in-law, Gary Hein, of Ridgefield, Washington, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him, at )360) 887-3101.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Butz on file.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
| Ensign |
John C. England |
U.S. Navy |
USS Oklahoma |
12/7/1941 |
Pearl Harbor |
5/6/2016 |
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 05 August, 2016 13:15
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: California Sailor Accounted For From World War II (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Navy Ensign John England, of Alhambra, California, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains. He will be buried August 13 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
On Dec. 7, 1941, England was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including England. No single vessel at Pearl Harbor, with the exception of the USS Arizona, suffered as many fatalities.
His granddaughter, Bethany Glenn is available for interviews if you would like to contact her, at (360) 673-3233.
The Department of Defense has no photos of England on file.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
| ENS |
Verdi Sederstrom |
U.S. Navy |
USS Oklahoma |
12/7/1941 |
|
7/21/2016 |
From: Waggoner, Natasha L Maj USAF DPAA EXT COMM (US)
Sent: 05 August, 2016 20:48
Subject: Sailor Killed in World War II Accounted For (Sederstrom)
Sir/Ma'am-
Navy Ensign Verdi Sederstrom, killed in the attack on the USS Oklahoma on
Dec. 7, 1941, has now been accounted for.
The USS Oklahoma (BB-37) arrived in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 6, 1940, and spent
the next several months participating in exercises and conducting patrols.
On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, a fleet of Japanese carriers launched
formations of dive bombers, torpedo planes and fighters against the vessels
moored in the shallows of Pearl Harbor. The USS Oklahoma suffered 429
casualties as it quickly capsized due to damages sustained from multiple
torpedoes. The majority of the casualties (Sailors and Marines) were never
identified.
During efforts to salvage the vessel, Navy personnel collected a large
number of remains representing as many as 400 individuals. Most of these
were later buried as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the
Pacific in Honolulu. In 2015, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
personnel exhumed these remains and as a result in advances in forensic and
analytical capabilities, were able to identify Sederstrom.
Interment services are pending.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Ensign Sederstrom.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or
like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
V/R
Maj. Natasha Waggoner, USAF
Deputy, Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
| Machinist's Mate 1st Class |
Earl Melton |
U.S. Navy |
USS Oklahoma |
12/7/1941 |
|
7/21/2016 |
FYI - MM1 Melton was buried as an 'UNKNOWN' at the Punch Bowl National Cemetery in Hawaii. Unknowns were off limits until recently when the Secretary of the Army signed off - authorizing the disinterment - IF there were facts supporting a 50 - 60% chance of identification.
Obviously, today's technology offers that opportunity in most cases (nuclear dna) and in late 2015, approximately 388 sets of remains marked as 'UNKNOWNS' from the USS Oklahoma were removed from the Punch Bowl cemetery, to initiate the process of identification. There are 1000's of 'Unknowns buried in US Military Cemeteries around the world that now have a chance of 'coming home'. moe
From: Waggoner, Natasha L Maj USAF DPAA EXT COMM (US)
Sent: 05 August, 2016 20:47
Subject: Sailor Killed in World War II Accounted For (Melton)
Sir/Ma'am-
Navy Machinist's Mate 1st Class Earl L. Melton , killed in the attack on the
USS Oklahoma on Dec. 7, 1941, has now been accounted for.
The USS Oklahoma (BB-37) arrived in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 6, 1940, and spent
the next several months participating in exercises and conducting patrols.
On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, a fleet of Japanese carriers launched
formations of dive bombers, torpedo planes and fighters against the vessels
moored in the shallows of Pearl Harbor. The USS Oklahoma suffered 429
casualties as it quickly capsized due to damages sustained from multiple
torpedoes. The majority of the casualties (Sailors and Marines) were never
identified.
During efforts to salvage the vessel, Navy personnel collected a large
number of remains representing as many as 400 individuals. Most of these
were later buried as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the
Pacific in Honolulu. In 2015, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
personnel exhumed these remains and as a result in advances in forensic and
analytical capabilities, were able to identify Melton.
Interment services are pending.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Machinist's Mate 1st Class Melton.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or
like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
V/R
Maj. Natasha Waggoner, USAF
Deputy, Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
| Seaman 2nd Class |
Vernon N. Grow |
U.S. Navy |
USS Oklahoma |
12/7/1941 |
Pearl Harbor |
6/2/2016 |
From: Waggoner, Natasha L Maj USAF DPAA EXT COMM (US)
Sent: 05 August, 2016 20:47
Subject: Sailor Killed in World War II Accounted For (Grow)
Sir/Ma'am-
Navy Seaman 2nd Class Vernon N. Grow, killed in the attack on the USS
Oklahoma on Dec. 7, 1941, has now been accounted for.
The USS Oklahoma (BB-37) arrived in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 6, 1940, and spent
the next several months participating in exercises and conducting patrols.
On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, a fleet of Japanese carriers launched
formations of dive bombers, torpedo planes and fighters against the vessels
moored in the shallows of Pearl Harbor. The USS Oklahoma suffered 429
casualties as it quickly capsized due to damages sustained from multiple
torpedoes. The majority of the casualties (Sailors and Marines) were never
identified.
During efforts to salvage the vessel, Navy personnel collected a large
number of remains representing as many as 400 individuals. Most of these
were later buried as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the
Pacific in Honolulu. In 2015, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
personnel exhumed these remains and as a result in advances in forensic and
analytical capabilities, were able to identify Grow.
Interment services are pending.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Seaman Grow.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or
like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
V/R
Maj. Natasha Waggoner, USAF
Deputy, Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
| Pharmacist's Mate 3rd Class |
Howard P. Brisbane |
U.S. Navy |
Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division |
11/20/1943 |
Tarawa Atoll |
6/2/2016 |
From: Waggoner, Natasha L Maj USAF DPAA EXT COMM (US)
Sent: 05 August, 2016 20:47
Subject: Airman Missing From World War II Accounted For (Ward)
Sir/Ma'am-
Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Robert W. Ward, missing from World War II, has now
been accounted for.
On Dec. 23, 1944, Ward was assigned to the 559th Bombardment Squadron, 387th
Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force. Ward was the co-pilot of a B-26C Marauder,
with eight other crew members, that crashed after being struck by enemy fire
while on a bombing mission against enemy forces near Philippsweiler,
Germany. Ward and one other of the nine-member crew were reported killed in
action.
Between June 2010 and July 2011, two DoD recovery teams excavated the
suspected crash site, recovering human remains and aircraft wreckage.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence
available, established Ward's remains were included.
Interment services are pending.
Welcome home and rest in peace, 2nd Lt. Ward.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or
like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
V/R
Maj. Natasha Waggoner, USAF
Deputy, Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
| Cpl. |
Ronald M. Sparks |
U.S. Army |
Company D, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division |
2/12/1951 |
South Korea |
7/27/2016 |
Welcome HOME, Corporal Sparks!
P.S. Many of you will note the typo in paragraph two (2) noting 1951 as the year for 'Operation Glory'. Implementation of Korean Communications Zone (KCOMZ) Op Plan 14-54 - better known as "Operation GLORY" - was put into effect on 22 July 1954 - http://www.qmmuseum.lee.army.mil/korea/op_glory.htm -
The statement 'don't shoot the messenger' is appropriate here. Major Waggoner is doing an excellent job keeping the public informed on the information coming out of DPAAs Central Identification Lab and the Casualty Service Office. Thank YOU Major Waggoner for keeping us in the loop!
-----Original Message-----
From: Waggoner, Natasha L Maj USAF DPAA EXT COMM (US)
Sent: 02 August, 2016 15:18
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Accounted For (Sparks)
Sir/Ma'am-
Army Cpl. Ronald M. Sparks, killed in the Korean War, has now been accounted
for.
On Feb. 12, 1951, Sparks was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 3th
Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, and was declared missing in action
when his unit was clearing a road block held by enemy forces in the vicinity
of Hoengsong, South Korea. Due to a prolonged lack of information regarding
his status, a military review board amended his status to deceased.
In 1951, the remains of Korean War service members were returned to the
United States in an operation called "Operation Glory." The remains unable
to be identified were interred as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery
of the Pacific in Hawaii.
Due to advances in technology, the remains were exhumed in 2015 for
analysis.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence
available, established Cpl. Sparks' remains were among those exhumed.
Interment services are planned for August 19 in Everett, Massachusetts.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Cpl. Sparks
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or
like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
V/R
Maj. Natasha Waggoner, USAF
Deputy, Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
| Sgt. |
James L. Campbell |
U.S. Army |
31st Regimental Combat Team |
12/2/1950 |
North Korea |
7/26/2016 |
From: Waggoner, Natasha L Maj USAF DPAA EXT COMM (US)
Sent: 02 August, 2016 15:25
Subject: Soldier Missing From Korean War Accounted For (Campbell) (U)
Sir/Ma'am-
Army Sgt. James L. Campbell, killed in the Korean War, has now been
accounted for.
In late November 1950, Crofts was one of approximately 2,500 U.S. Soldiers
who were assembled with 700 South Korean soldiers, in the 31st Regimental
Combat Team. The RCT was deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea,
when it was engaged by overwhelming numbers of Chinese forces, driving the
remnants of the unit to withdraw.
At the end of the battle, Campbell could not be accounted for and he was
reported missing in action. Due to a prolonged lack of information
regarding his whereabouts, the U.S. Army declared Campbell deceased as of
Dec. 31, 1953.
Between 1990 and 1994, North Korea returned to the United States 208 boxes
of commingled human remains, which helped account for the remains of at
least 600 U.S. servicemen who fought during the war.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence
available, established Campbell's remains were included.
Interment services are scheduled for August 26 in Waterford, Connecticut.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Sgt. Campbell
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or
like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
V/R
Maj. Natasha Waggoner, USAF
Deputy, Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
| Pvt. |
Dale R. Geddes |
USMC |
Company H, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division |
11/20/1943 |
Tarawa Atoll |
4/13/2016 |
Dale Geddes is coming home
08/04/2016
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency confirmed Tuesday that the remains were those of Geddes. “Welcome home and rest in peace, Pvt.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: Waggoner, Natasha L Maj USAF DPAA EXT COMM (US)
Sent: 02 August, 2016 15:28
Subject: Marine Missing From World War II Accounted For (Geddes)
Sir/Ma'am-
Marine Pvt. Dale R. Geddes, killed during World War II, has now been
accounted for.
In November 1943, Geddes was assigned to Company H, 2nd Battalion, 8th
Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed a stiff Japanese resistance on
the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an
attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting,
approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were
wounded. Geddes died sometime on the first day of the battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
In June 2015, a nongovernmental organization, History Flight, Inc., notified
DPAA that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered
remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the
battle.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence
available, established Geddes' remains were included.
Interment services are scheduled for August 22 in Grand Island, Nebraska.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Pvt. Geddes.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or
like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
V/R
Maj. Natasha Waggoner, USAF
Deputy, Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
|
|
|
| 1st Lt. |
Robert L. McIntosh |
U.S. Army Air Forces |
27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group |
5/12/1944 |
Italy |
2/17/2014 |
From: Waggoner, Natasha L Maj USAF DPAA EXT COMM (US)
Sent: 01 August, 2016 15:55
Subject: Soldier Missing From World War II Accounted For (McIntosh)
Sir/Ma'am-
Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Robert L. McIntosh, missing from World War II, has
now been accounted for.
On May 12, 1944, McIntosh was assigned to the 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st
Fighter Group, and was the pilot of a single-seat P38 aircraft, on a
strafing mission against an enemy airfield in Piacenza, Italy. Due to poor
weather conditions, the flight leader missed their intended target and began
flying south. Following a brief air battle over Bologna, visibility
worsened and the pilots were ordered to climb above the overcast.
McIntosh's aircraft was observed diving through the clouds and was not seen
again.
In August 2015, a DPAA recovery team excavated a crash site in Santa
Cristina, Italy, with the help of Archeologi dell'Aria, an Italian
non-profit organization.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence
available, established 1st Lt. McIntosh's remains were included.
Interment services are scheduled for August 13 in Tipton, Indiana.
Welcome home and rest in peace, 1st Lt. McIntosh.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or
like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
V/R
Maj. Natasha Waggoner, USAF
Deputy, Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
|
| Pfc. |
George H. Traver |
USMC |
Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division |
11/20/1943 |
Tarawa Atoll |
5/24/2016 |
From: Waggoner, Natasha L Maj USAF DPAA EXT COMM (US)
Sent: 29 July, 2016 21:15
Subject: Marine Missing From World War II Accounted For (Traver)
Sir/Ma'am-
Marine Pfc. George H. Traver, killed during World War II, has now been
accounted for.
In November 1943, Traver was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th
Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed a stiff Japanese
resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert
Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense
fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than
2,000 were wounded. Traver died sometime on the first day of the battle,
Nov. 20, 1943.
In June 2015, a nongovernmental organization, History Flight, Inc., notified
DPAA that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the
remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the
battle.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence
available, established Traver's remains were included.
Interment services are scheduled for August 28 in Chatham, New York.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Pfc. Traver.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or
like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
V/R
Maj. Natasha Waggoner, USAF
Deputy, Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
| Flight Officer |
Judson B. Baskett |
U.S. Army Air Forces |
1305th Army Air Force Base Unit |
11/27/1945 |
Malaysia |
6/15/2016 |
From: Waggoner, Natasha L Maj USAF DPAA EXT COMM (US)
Sent: 29 July, 2016 21:12
Subject: Airman Missing from World War II Accounted For (Baskett)
Sir/Ma'am-
Army Air Forces Flight Officer Judson B. Baskett, missing from World War II,
has now been accounted for.
On Nov. 27, 1945, Baskett was a member of the 1305th Army Air Force Base
Unit, piloting a C-47B aircraft, en route from Singapore to Butterworth,
Malaysia, to pick up cargo, along with two crewmembers. An hour after
takeoff, the aircraft reported its position over Malacca, but failed to land
as scheduled in Butterworth. An air search conducted in December did not
locate a crash site.
In April 2010, a Joint Personnel Accounting Command (JPAC), now DPAA,
investigation team interviewed a local man who managed a logging area in the
vicinity of where Basket's plane was believed to have crashed. In August and
September 2015, a joint Malaysian/U.S. team excavated the crash site,
recovering possible remains.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence
available, established Flight Officer Baskett's remains were included.
Interment services are scheduled for August 12 in Houston.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Flight Officer Baskett.
For more information on DPAA please visit our website at www.DPAA.mil and/or
like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/dodpaa/.
V/R
Maj. Natasha Waggoner, USAF
Deputy, Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
| Fireman 2nd Class |
James B. Boring |
U.S. Navy |
USS Oklahoma |
12/7/1941 |
Pearl Harbor |
5/5/2016 |
Sent: 29 July, 2016 09:08
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Ohio Sailor Accounted For From World War II (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Navy Fireman 2nd Class James B. Boring, 21, of Vales Mill, Ohio, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains. He will be buried August 6 in Albany, Ohio.
On Dec. 7, 1941, Boring was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in 429 casualties, including Boring.
His niece, Francyl Castro, of St. Albans, West Virginia, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her, at (304) 727-9570.
The Department of Defense has no photos of Boring on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
July 29, 2016
Fulfilling Our Nation’s Promise
USS Oklahoma Sailor From World War II Accounted For
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman from World War II have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Navy Fireman 2nd Class James B. Boring, 21, of Vales Mill, Ohio, will be buried August 6, in Albany, Ohio. On Dec. 7, 1941, Boring was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Boring. No single vessel at Pearl Harbor, with the exception of the USS Arizona, suffered as many fatalities.
From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu’uanu Cemeteries.
In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Boring.
In April 2015, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a policy memorandum directing the disinterment of unknowns associated with the USS Oklahoma. On June 15, 2015, DPAA personnel began exhuming the remains from the NMCP for analysis.
To identify Boring’s remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial DNA analysis, which matched two nieces, as well as circumstantial evidence and laboratory analysis, to include dental comparisons, which matched Boring’s records.
Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war.
For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving our country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil or call (703) 699-1420.
-end- |
|
|
| Chief Warrant Officer |
Adolphus Nava |
U.S. Army |
Battery B, 38th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division |
11/30/1950 |
North Korea |
6/22/2016 |
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 28 July, 2016 10:58
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: New York Soldier Accounted For From the Korean War (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Chief Warrant Officer Adolphus Nava, 38, of Uniondale, New York, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried August 4 in Calverton, New York.
In late November 1950, Nava was a member of Battery B, 38th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, fighting the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces between the towns of Sinhung-dong and Kunu-Ri, North Korea. On Nov. 29, the unit was in danger of being encircled and destroyed by the CPVF and were ordered to withdraw. In the escape route, turned "The Gauntlet," units were overrun by aggressive attacks from the CPVF and Nava's unit elected to destroy its guns and escape through the mountain on foot. For more than a week after the battle, soldiers made their way through enemy lines back to their units. After searching all adjacent units, aid stations and hospitals, Nava was declared missing in action as of Nov. 30.
His daughter, Mary Kolesar, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her, at )631) 654-0714.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Nava on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ July 28, 2016
Fulfilling Our Nation’s Promise
Soldier Missing From Korean War Accounted For
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Army Chief Warrant Officer Adolphus Nava, 38, of Uniondale, New York, will be buried August 4, in Calverton, New York. In late 1950, Nava was a member of Battery B, 38th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, fighting the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces (CPVF) between the towns of Sinhung-dong and Kunu-Ri, North Korea. Their mission was part of a United Nations Command offensive to advance north to the Yalu River. On Nov. 29, the unit was in danger of being encircled and destroyed by the CPVF and were ordered to withdraw. In the escape route, termed “The Gauntlet,” units were overrun by aggressive attacks from the CPVF, and Nava’s unit elected to destroy its guns and escape through the mountains on foot.
For more than a week after the battle, soldiers made their way through enemy lines back to their units. After searching all adjacent units, aid stations and hospitals, Nava was declared missing in action as of Nov. 30.
At the end of the war, during Operation Big Switch, where both sides exchanged all remaining POWs, repatriated Americans provided information on the capture and death of Nava at Pyoktong/Camp 5, where most prisoners of war from the unit were held.
Although the American Graves Registration Service hoped to recover the remains of United Nations Command (UNC) and American soldiers who remained north of the DMZ after the war, conflict between the UNC and North Korea complicated efforts.
Between 1990 and 1994, North Korea returned to the United States 208 boxes of commingled human remains, which when combined with remains recovered during joint recovery operations in North Korea between 1996 and 2005, included the remains of at least 600 U.S. servicemen who fought during the war. North Korean documents included in the repatriation indicated that some of the remains were recovered from the vicinity where Nava was believed to have died.
To identify Nava’s remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial, Y-chromosome Short Tandem Repeat and autosomal DNA analysis, which matched his brother and daughter, as well as chest radiograph comparison and anthropological analyses, and circumstantial evidence
Today, 7,807 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. Using modern technology, identifications continue to be made from remains that were previously returned by North Korean officials or recovered from North Korea by American recovery teams.
For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving our country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil or call (703) 699-1420.
-end- |
|
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
|
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
| Pfc. |
Charles E. Oetjen |
U.S. Marine Corps |
Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division |
11/20/1943 |
Tarawa Atoll |
5/6/2016 |
HONOR-RELEASE-RETURN offers a respectful 'tip of the hat' to all at HISTORY FLIGHT, Inc., - http://historyflight.com/nw/ - their efforts over the last 24 months has resulted in excess of 50 sets of remains recovered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: Duus, Kristen L SSG USARMY DPAA EC (US) [mailto:kristen.l.duus.mil@mail.mil]
Sent: 22 July, 2016 14:02
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Illinois Marine Accounted For From World War II (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Marine Pfc. Charles E. Oetjen, 18, of Blue Island, Illinois, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release
(attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried July 30, in Alsip, Illinois.
In November 1943, Oetjen was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance
on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at
Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Oetjen
died sometime on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
His cousin, Kenneth Oetjen, of Westmont, Illinois, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him, at (630) 241-0605.
The Department of Defense the attached photo of Oetjen on file.
- Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise -
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
241 18th Street South, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 699-1420 |
source not provided....
July 22, 2016
Fulfilling Our Nation’s Promise
Soldier Missing From Korean War Accounted For
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
On December 3, 1950, White was a member of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, when his company’s position was overrun by the Chinese Communist Forces near Huksu-ri, North Korea. Repatriated American prisoners of war reported that White died in captivity at Prisoner of War Camp 1, Changsong, North Korea, in 1951. Based on this information, the U.S. Army declared White deceased as of May 12, 1951.
In 1954, United Nations and communist forces exchanged the remains of war dead in what came to be called “Operation Glory.” All remains recovered in Operation Glory were turned over to the Army’s Central Identification Unit for analysis. The remains they were unable to identify were interred as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, known as the “Punchbowl.”
In 1999, due to advances in technology, the Department of Defense began to re-examine records and concluded that the possibility for identification of some of these unknowns now existed. The remains designated X-14173 were exhumed on May 18, 2015, so further analysis could be conducted.
To identify White’s remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used anthropological, dental and chest radiograph comparison analyses; mitochondrial DNA analysis, using the Next Generation Sequencing technique, which matched a niece, a nephew and a sister; as well as circumstantial and material evidence.
Today, 7,807 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. Using advances in technology, identifications continue to be made from remains that were previously turned over by North Korean officials or recovered by American teams.
For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving our country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil or call (703) 699-1420.
-end-
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Sent: 22 July, 2016 14:20
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Ohio Soldier Accounted For From Korean War (U)
Dear editor,
The family of Army Cpl. Charles A. White, 20, of New Lexington, Ohio, unaccounted for from the Korean War, asked us to send you today’s news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried July 29 in New Lexington, Ohio.
On December 3, 1950, White was a member of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, when his company’s position was overrun by the Chinese Communist Forces near Huksu-ri, North Korea. Repatriated American prisoners of war reported that White died in captivity at Prisoner of War Camp 1, Changsong, North Korea, in 1951. Based on this information, the U.S. Army declared White deceased as of May 12, 1951.
His sister, Mrs. June Chuvalas, of New Lexington, Ohio, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her, at (740) 342-3102.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of White on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation’s Promise~
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |
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Army Air Corps Pvt. Evans Overbey comes home
http://www.burnpit.us/2016/07/army-air-corps-pvt-evans-overbey-comes-home |
| Cpl. |
Frederick G. Collins, Jr. |
U.S. Army |
263rd Quartermaster Company, Quartermaster Corps |
11/19/1942 |
Philippines |
6/7/2016 |
From: Waggoner, Natasha L Maj USAF DPAA EXT COMM (US)
Sent: 15 July, 2016 15:17
Subject: Soldier Missing From World War II Accounted For (Collins)
Sir/Ma'am-
Army Cpl. Frederick G. Collins, 23, killed in World War II, has now been accounted for.
On Dec. 8, 1941, Collins was a member of the 263rd Quartermaster Company, Quartermaster Corps (QMC) located at Nichols Field, in Manila, Philippines,
when hostile Japanese forces sent the QMC on a gradual withdrawal into Bataan Province. Following the April 9, 1942 surrender to the Japanese,
Collins and other members of the QMC captured in Bataan began the torturous 65-mile "Bataan Death March" northward, where they were imprisoned at Camp
O'Donnell. Because of overcrowding and an excessive death rate at Camp O'Donnell, Collins and other POWs were transferred to Camp Cabanatuan.
More than 2,800 POWs perished in Camp Cabanatuan during the remaining years of the war. On Nov. 19, 1942, 14 Americans, including Collins, were reported
to have died and were buried by their fellow prisoners in Common Grave 717 in Cabanatuan Camp #3 Cemetery.
In 2014, the Secretary of the Army granted permission to exhume the graves associated with Common Grave 717.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, determined Collins' remains were included.
Interment services are pending.
V/R
Maj. Natasha Waggoner, USAF
Deputy, Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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Pvt. Evans E. Overbey U.S. Army Air Forces 93rd Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group 11/19/1942 Philippines 6/1/2016
Sent: 08 July, 2016 14:00
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Army Air Forces Serviceman Accounted For From World War II
Dear Editor,
The family of U.S. Army Air Forces Pvt. Evans E. Overbey, 25, of Coeburn,
Virginia, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's
news release (attached) on the identification of his remains. He will be
buried July 15 in Johnson City, Tennessee.
On Dec. 8, 1941 while Overbey was assigned to the 93rd Bombardment Squadron,
19th Bombardment Group, at Clark Field in the Philippines, Japanese forces
invaded the Philippines. Overbey and his unit joined forces with American
and Filipino infantry units fighting the battle of Bataan. Following the
surrender to the Japanese, the surviving members of Overbey's squadron began
the torturous 65-mile "Bataan Death March" northward, where they were
imprisoned at Camp O'Donnell. Because of overcrowding and an excessive
death rate at Camp O'Donnell, Overbey and other POWs were transferred to
Camp Cabanatuan. More than 2,800 POWs perished in this camp during the
remaining years of the war. On Nov. 19, 1942, 14 Americans, including
Overbey, were reported to have died and were buried by their fellow
prisoners in Common Grave 717 in Cabanatuan Camp #3 Cemetery.
His grandnephew, Phillip Erwin, is available for interviews at (423)
743-4268 or (423) 330-4346.
The Department of Defense has no photo of Overbey available.
V/R
Maj. Natasha Waggoner, USAF
Deputy, Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
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| Pvt. |
Robert J. Carter |
U.S. Marine Corps |
Company G, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines Regiment, 2nd Marine Division |
11/20/1943 |
Tarawa |
9/16/2015 |
Sent: 06 July, 2016 13:53
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Oklahoma Marine Accounted For From World War II
Dear Editor,
The family of Marine Pvt. Robert J. Carter, 19, of Oklahoma City,
unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release
(attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried July 13 in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington,
D.C.
In November 1943, Carter was assigned to Company G, 2nd Battalion, 8th
Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese
resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert
Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense
fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and
more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated.
Carter died around Nov. 20, 1943.
His family does not wish to be contacted by media.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Carter on file.
V/R
Maj. Natasha Waggoner, USAF
Deputy, Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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| Fire Controlman 1st Class |
Paul A. Nash |
U.S. Navy |
USS Oklahoma |
12/7/1941 |
Pearl Harbor |
4/5/2016 |
Sent: 30 June, 2016 09:51
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Indiana Sailor Accounted For From World War II (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Navy Fire Controlman 1st Class Paul A. Nash, 26, of Carlisle, Indiana, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried July 9 in Sullivan, Indiana.
On Dec. 7, 1941, Nash was a Sailor on the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in 429 casualties, including Nash.
His grandson, Jeffrey Tislow, of Carlisle, IN, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him, at (812) 398-6551 or (812) 887-7414.
The Department of Defense has no photos of Nash on file.
"Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise"
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| Cpl. |
Charles B. Crofts |
U.S. Army |
Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division |
12/2/1950 |
North Korea |
6/7/2016 |
Sent: 30 June, 2016 09:45
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Idaho Soldier Accounted For From Korean War (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Cpl. Charles B. Crofts, 19, of Shelley, Idaho, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried July 9 in his hometown.
In late November 1950, Crofts was a member of Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, as one of approximately 2,500 U.S. and 700 South Korean soldiers who were assembled into the 31st Regimental Combat Team (RCT). The 31st RCT was deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when it was engaged by overwhelming numbers of Chinese forces, driving the remnants of the 31st RCT, known historically as Task Force Faith, to begin a fighting withdrawal to more defensible positions near Hagaru-ri, south of the reservoir. As the unit withdrew from the area, only wounded soldiers were evacuated. Crofts could not be accounted for by his unit at the end of the battle, and the U.S. Army reported him missing in action as of Dec. 2, 1950.
His brother, Mr. Kim D. Crofts, also of Shelley, Idaho, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him, at (208) 357-5885.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Crofts on file.
SSG Kristen Duus
Chief of External Communications
Public Affairs NCOIC- D.C. Directorate
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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65 years later, Korean War POW laid to rest in Arlington
.Sixty-five years after his death in a North Korean prison camp, the remains of Cpl. George Paul Grifford were buried Monday in Arlington National Cemetery as family members solemnly welcomed him “home where he belongs.”....
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| Cpl. |
George P. Grifford |
U.S. Army |
37th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division |
11/30/1950 |
North Korea |
8/14/2015 |
Sent: 20 June, 2016 08:56
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Michigan Soldier Accounted For From Korean War (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Cpl. George P. Grifford, 18, of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried June 27 in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, D.C.
On Nov. 30, 1950, Grifford was a member of the 37th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces near Kunu-ri, North Korea. He was reported missing in action after the battle.
His niece, Toni Murphy, of New Baltimore, Michigan, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her, at (586) 850-5619.
Media may also cover the interment from a respectful distance. Those wishing to attend the event should contact Jennifer Lynch at (703) 614-0062 for details.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Grifford on file.
HOLLY N. SLAUGHTER, Lt. Col., USAF
Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| Sgt. |
Bailey Keeton |
U.S. Army |
Company D, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division |
12/2/1950 |
North Korea |
6/2/2016 |
Sent: 17 June, 2016 11:52
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Tennessee Soldier Accounted For From the Korean War (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Sgt. Bailey Keeton, Jr., 20, of Oneida, Tennessee, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried June 25 in his hometown.
In late November 1950, Keeton was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, as one of approximately 2,500 U.S. and 700 South Korean soldiers who were assembled into the 31st Regimental Combat Team (RCT). The 31st RCT was deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when it was engaged by overwhelming numbers of Chinese forces, driving the remnants of the 31st RCT, known historically as Task Force Faith, to begin a fighting withdrawal to more defensible positions near Hagaru-ri, south of the reservoir. As the unit withdrew from the area, only wounded soldiers were evacuated. Keeton could not be accounted for by his unit at the end of the battle, and the U.S. Army reported him missing in action as of Dec. 2, 1950.
His cousin, Ronald Keeton, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him, at (423) 663-3101 or (423) 663-4289.
The Department of Defense has the attached photos of Keeton on file.
~Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise~
HOLLY N. SLAUGHTER, Lt. Col., USAF
Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| Master Sgt. |
Richard Davis |
U.S. Army |
Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division |
11/2/1950 |
North Korea |
5/23/2016 |
Sent: 17 June, 2016 11:30
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Pennsylvania Soldier Accounted For From the Korean War (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Army Master Sgt. Richard Davis, 30, of Black Lick, Pennsylvania, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried June 24 in Blairsville, Pennsylvania.
In early November 1950, Davis was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, near Unsan, North Korea, when Chinese People's Volunteer Forces attacked the regiment, and forced the unit to withdraw. Many soldiers became surrounded and attempted to escape and evade the enemy, but were captured and marched to POW camps. Davis was declared missing in action as a result of the battle that occurred between Nov. 1 and 2, 1950.
His nephew, Adrian Davis, of Blairsville, is available for interviews if you would like to contact him, at (724) 248-3323.
Additionally, his niece, Patricia Lyons, is also available for interviews, at (724) 463-0696.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Davis on file.
HOLLY N. SLAUGHTER, Lt. Col., USAF
Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
| Pvt. |
Palmer S. Haraldson |
U.S. Marine Corps |
Company C, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division |
11/22/1943 |
Tarawa Atoll |
4/25/2016 |
Sent: 15 June, 2016 10:22
Subject: LOCAL CONNECTION: Nebraska Marine Accounted For From World War II (U)
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED
CAVEAT: None
Dear Editor,
The family of Marine Pvt. Palmer S. Haraldson, 31, of Lincoln, Nebraska, unaccounted for from World War II, asked us to send you today's news release (attached) on the identification of his remains.
He will be buried June 22 in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
In November 1943, Haraldson was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Haraldson died sometime on the third day of battle, Nov. 22, 1943.
His niece, Carolyn Redding, of San Clemente, California, is available for interviews if you would like to contact her, at (949) 422-1127.
The Department of Defense has the attached photo of Haraldson on file.
- Fulfilling Our Nation's Promise -
HOLLY N. SLAUGHTER, Lt. Col., USAF
Public Affairs
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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Soldier From WWII Accounted For (Simmons)
16-038 | June 10, 2016
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, unaccounted for from World War II, have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Army Cpl. George G. Simmons, 25, of Hamilton, Montana, will be buried June 18 in Corvallis, Montana. On Dec. 8, 1941 while Simmons was assigned to Battery H, 60th Coast Artillery Regiment on the Philippine Island of Corregidor, Japanese forces invaded the Philippines. Simmons and his unit engaged in intense fighting until May 6, 1942, when the U.S. fortress of Corregidor fell. Thousands of American and Filipino service members were taken prisoner, including Simmons, who was taken by ship to Manila, then by train and eventually on foot to the Cabanatuan POW camp. More than 2,800 POWs perished in this camp during the remaining years of the war. On Nov. 19, 1942, 14 Americans, including Simmons, were reported to have died and were buried by their fellow prisoners in Common Grave 717 in Cabanatuan Camp #3 Cemetery.
Following the war, American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) personnel exhumed those buried at the Cabanatuan cemetery and relocated the remains to a temporary U.S. military cemetery near Manila. In late 1947, the AGRS again exhumed the remains at the Manila cemetery in an attempt to identify them. Due to the circumstances of the POW deaths and burials, the extensive commingling, and the limited identification technologies of the time, all of the remains could not be individually identified. The unidentified remains were reburied as unknowns in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, a permanent American Battle Monuments Commission cemetery in the Philippines.
In 2014, the Secretary of the Army granted permission to exhume the ten graves associated with Cabanatuan Common Grave 717, where Simmons was believed to have been buried. The remains were accessioned into the DPAA laboratory on Aug. 28, 2014.
To identify Simmons’ remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used forensic identification tools, including mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome Short Tandem Repeat DNA analysis, which matched the DNA samples provided by two cousins; anthropological analysis; as well as historical and circumstantial evidence.
Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war.
For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving our country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil or call (703) 699-1420.
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Marine Missing From World War II Accounted For (Prince)
16-039 | June 10, 2016
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, unaccounted for since World War II, have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Marine Pfc. John F. Prince, 19, of New York, will be buried June 17 in Calverton, New York. In November 1943, Prince was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Prince died on the first day of the battle, Nov. 20, 1943.
Despite the heavy casualties suffered by U.S. forces, military success in the battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.
In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. In 1946 and 1947, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio, but Prince’s remains were not recovered. On Feb. 28, 1949, a military review board declared Prince’s remains non-recoverable.
In June 2015, a nongovernmental organization, History Flight, Inc., notified DPAA that they discovered a burial site on Betio Island and recovered the remains of what they believed were 35 U.S. Marines who fought during the battle in November 1943. The remains were turned over to DPAA in July 2015.
To identify Prince’s remains, scientists from DPAA used laboratory analysis, including dental comparison, which matched Prince’s records, as well as circumstantial and material evidence.
DPAA is grateful to History Flight, Inc. for this recovery mission.
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