2024 Identifications
Vietnam War Accounting Updates
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The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced on June 21st, 2024 that U.S. Air Force Sgt. David S. Price, who was killed during the Vietnam War, had been accounted for. In 1968, Price and 18 other men were assigned to Lima Site 85, a tactical air navigation radar site on a remote, 5,600-foot mountain peak known as Phou Pha Thi in Houaphan Province, Laos. In the early morning of March 11, the site was overrun by Vietnamese commandos, causing the Americans to seek safety on a narrow ledge of the steep mountain. A few hours later, under the protective cover of A-1 Skyraider aircraft, U.S. helicopters were able to rescue eight of the men. Sgt. Price and 10 other Americans were killed in action and unable to be recovered. |
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The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced on April 24th, 2024 that U.S. Air Force Maj. John C.G. Kerr, 35, reported missing during the Vietnam War, had been accounted for. On Aug. 22, 1967, Kerr was piloting an A-26A Invader attack aircraft on a solo nighttime armed reconnaissance mission over the Plain of Jars, Lao People’s Democratic Republic. After Kerr failed to check in via radio and didn’t return from the mission, U.S. forces undertook an extensive electronic and visual search of the estimated area, in which extensive enemy defenses were present, but could not find Kerr or the aircraft. Likely related to this incident, a New China News Agency broadcast reported the Aug. 22 shootdown of an American aircraft near Ban Ban and the deaths of its crewmembers. Kerr was declared Killed in Action on June 4, 1971. |
A Collection of Some of the Recent Accounting Updates - WWII & Korean War
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World War II veteran - U.S. Army Air Force Staff Sgt. Ralph L. Mourer, 23, of Wichita, Kansas, known to have been KIA/BNR, has been disinterred from a US cemetery in the Philippines, identified, and will soon be returned to his family.
Sgt. Mourer was serving as the radio operator in the 732nd Bombardment Squadron of the 8th Air Force in the European Theater when, the B-24H "Liberator" on which he served was shot down. All ten servicemen on board "Little Joe," as the aircraft was known, were listed as Killed-in-Action after being shot down by enemy fighter aircraft, and crewmembers in other planes in formation saw no parachutes before the plane crashed en route to Brunswick, Germany. To see a couple photos of Sgt. Maurer and read the official DPAA news release, click through the images below. Welcome home, Sgt. Mourer. NOTE - Impacted family members were informed that their loved ones died in the crash, with no one bailing out, so at least each family didn't have to deal with years of uncertainty. |
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World War II Veteran - US Army Air Force Sgt. James W. Swartz, 21, of Webberville, Michigan, known to have been KIA/BNR, has been identified and returned to his family.
Since his death at the Cabanatuan POW Camp #1, following capture in the fall of Bataan and Corregidor in 1942, Sgt. Swartz's remains were interred as an unknown in the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines. In April 2019, his remains were exhumed for identification as part of DPAA's ongoing efforts to identify these American heroes and return them to their families and honor the sacrifices of these service members. Welcome home, Sgt. Swartz. |
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World War II Veteran - U.S. Army Technician Fifth Grade Clifford H. Strickland, 25, of Fowler, Colorado who was captured and died as a prisoner of war - Has been accounted for.
"In summer 1942, Strickland was a member of Company C, 803rd Engineer Battalion (Aviation), U.S. Army, when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands in December. Intense fighting continued until the surrender of the Bataan peninsula on April 9, 1942, and of Corregidor Island on May 6, 1942. Thousands of U.S. and Filipino service members were captured and interned at POW camps. Strickland was among those reported captured when U.S. forces in Bataan surrendered to the Japanese. They were subjected to the 65-mile Bataan Death March and then held at the Cabanatuan POW camp. More than 2,500 POWs perished in this camp during the war. According to prison camp and other historical records, Strickland died July 29, 1942, and was buried along with other deceased prisoners in the local Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery in Common Grave 215." Identifying Strickland has taken OVER 80 YEARS, but the League is thankful nonetheless that our many years working to account, as fully as possible, for missing Vietnam War POW/MIA has led to the disinterment and identification of so many of our WWII and Korean War heroes. |
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Another World War 2 Veteran accounted for - Marine Corps Sgt. Harold Hammett, 24, of Avery, Mississippi.
"Sgt. Hammett enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in San Francisco, California, in 1940. By November 1943, Hammett was a member of L Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, 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, while the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Hammett is believed to have been killed while his unit attempted to secure Red Beach 2 on Nov. 20, 1943." Identifying Hammett has taken OVER 80 YEARS, but The League is thankful nonetheless that our many years working to account, as fully as possible, for missing Vietnam War POW/MIA has led to the disinterment and identification of so many WWII and Korean War heroes. |
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Korean War Veteran - U.S. Army Cpl. Charles R. Patten, 24, of Lebanon, Missouri - Has Been Accounted For.
"In July 1950, Patten was a member of Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He went missing in action after his unit was forced to retreat from the vicinity of Taejon, South Korea, on July 20. Due to the fighting, his body could not be recovered at that time, and there was never any evidence that he was a prisoner of war. The Army issued a presumptive finding of death on Dec. 31, 1953." Identifying Patten has taken OVER 70 YEARS, but the League is thankful nonetheless that our many years working to account, as fully as possible, for missing Vietnam War POW/MIA has led to the disinterment and identification of so many WWII and Korean War heroes. NOTE: Sadly there is no photo of U.S. Army Cpl. Charles R. Patten currently online.. |
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World War 2 Veteran U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Dan W. Corson, 27, of Middletown, Ohio - Has been accounted for. "In December of 1942, Corson was assigned to the 401st Bombardment Squadron, 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy), Eighth Air Force. On December 20, Corson was co-piloting a B-17F “Flying Fortress,” nicknamed Danellen, when it was struck by anti-aircraft fire after a bombing raid on a German aircraft factory at Romilly-sur-Seine, France. Corson’s aircraft was last seen spinning towards the ground, crashing near the village of Bernières-sur-Seine, France. Only one airman parachuted successfully, while the other eight crew members, including Corson, were still on board.A villager witnessed the crash and confirmed there was only one survivor. The War Department issued a finding of death for 1st Lt. Corson on Dec. 20, 1943." Identifying Corson has taken OVER 80 YEARS, but we are thankful nonetheless that the League's many years working to account, as fully as possible, for missing Vietnam War POW/MIA has in turn led to the disinterment and ID of so many WWII and Korean War heroes as well. |
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World War 2 Veteran - Navy Seaman 2nd Class (S2c) Joseph M. Robertson, 18, of Cincinnati, Ohio - Has been accounted for. "On Dec. 7, 1941, Robertson was assigned to the battleship 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 Robertson." Identifying Robertson has taken OVER 80 YEARS, but we are thankful nonetheless that the League's many years working to account, as fully as possible, for missing Vietnam War POW/MIA has led to the disinterment and ID of so many WWII and Korean War heroes as well. |
2023 Identifications
December 8, 2023
"The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Ronald W. Forrester, lost during the Vietnam War,
was accounted for Dec. 4, 2023.
In the winter of 1972, Forrester was assigned to Marine All-Weather Attack Squadron 533, Marine Attack Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On Dec. 27, Forrester was the navigator of an A-6A Intruder, along with his pilot, during a nighttime combat mission over the northern part of the Democratic Republic of (North) Vietnam. After entering the target area, Forrester’s aircraft ceased radio communications and never returned to base. Search and rescue teams could not locate any trace of the aircraft or the crew in the Le Thuy District, Quang Binh Province. In September 1978, the Marine Corps changed Capt. Forrester’s initial Missing in Action status to Killed in Action."
Link to the DPAA Press Release is below.
Marine Accounted for from Vietnam (Forrester, R.)
"The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Ronald W. Forrester, lost during the Vietnam War,
was accounted for Dec. 4, 2023.
In the winter of 1972, Forrester was assigned to Marine All-Weather Attack Squadron 533, Marine Attack Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On Dec. 27, Forrester was the navigator of an A-6A Intruder, along with his pilot, during a nighttime combat mission over the northern part of the Democratic Republic of (North) Vietnam. After entering the target area, Forrester’s aircraft ceased radio communications and never returned to base. Search and rescue teams could not locate any trace of the aircraft or the crew in the Le Thuy District, Quang Binh Province. In September 1978, the Marine Corps changed Capt. Forrester’s initial Missing in Action status to Killed in Action."
Link to the DPAA Press Release is below.
Marine Accounted for from Vietnam (Forrester, R.)
September 25, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of Army Tech Sgt. Leonard J. Dettloff 26, of Detroit, Michigan, killed during World War II. In November 1944, Dettloff was assigned to Company M, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. His unit was engaged in battle with German forces near Hürtgen, Germany, when he was killed in action on Nov. 10.
Due to the tactical situation, his remains could not be immediately recovered. His remains were not identified following the war.
While studying unresolved American losses in the Hürtgen area, a DPAA historian determined that one set of unidentified remains, designated X-8118 St. Avold, recovered from Germeter and Hürtgen possibly belonged to Dettloff. The remains, which had been buried in Lorraine American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Saint-Avold, France, in 1949, were disinterred in 2018 and sent to the DPAA laboratory for identification. While analyzing X-8118, DPAA scientists also examined X-8122 St. Avold, had been recovered commingled with X-8118. To identify Dettloff’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y chromosome DNA (Y- STR) analysis. Detloff was accounted for on May 5, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
The League welcomes the identification of Army Tech Sgt. Leonard J. Dettloff 26, of Detroit, Michigan, killed during World War II. In November 1944, Dettloff was assigned to Company M, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. His unit was engaged in battle with German forces near Hürtgen, Germany, when he was killed in action on Nov. 10.
Due to the tactical situation, his remains could not be immediately recovered. His remains were not identified following the war.
While studying unresolved American losses in the Hürtgen area, a DPAA historian determined that one set of unidentified remains, designated X-8118 St. Avold, recovered from Germeter and Hürtgen possibly belonged to Dettloff. The remains, which had been buried in Lorraine American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Saint-Avold, France, in 1949, were disinterred in 2018 and sent to the DPAA laboratory for identification. While analyzing X-8118, DPAA scientists also examined X-8122 St. Avold, had been recovered commingled with X-8118. To identify Dettloff’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y chromosome DNA (Y- STR) analysis. Detloff was accounted for on May 5, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
September 25, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Max W. Thurston, 19, of Flint, Michigan, killed during World War II. In November 1944, Thurston was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division. His regiment was engaged in fierce fighting near the town of Germeter, Germany, in the Hürtgen Forest, when he was reported killed in action on Nov. 6. His body was unable to be recovered due to intense fighting against heavily reinforced German forces. His remains were not identified following the war.
While studying unresolved American losses in the Hürtgen area, a DPAA historian determined that one set of unidentified remains, designated X-7476 Neuville, recovered in April 1948, possibly belonged to Thurston. The remains, which had been buried in Ardennes American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium,
in 1949, were disinterred in July 2021 and sent to the DPAA laboratory for identification. To identify Thurston’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome DNA (Y-STR) analysis. Thurston was accounted for on July 7, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Max W. Thurston, 19, of Flint, Michigan, killed during World War II. In November 1944, Thurston was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division. His regiment was engaged in fierce fighting near the town of Germeter, Germany, in the Hürtgen Forest, when he was reported killed in action on Nov. 6. His body was unable to be recovered due to intense fighting against heavily reinforced German forces. His remains were not identified following the war.
While studying unresolved American losses in the Hürtgen area, a DPAA historian determined that one set of unidentified remains, designated X-7476 Neuville, recovered in April 1948, possibly belonged to Thurston. The remains, which had been buried in Ardennes American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium,
in 1949, were disinterred in July 2021 and sent to the DPAA laboratory for identification. To identify Thurston’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome DNA (Y-STR) analysis. Thurston was accounted for on July 7, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
September 21, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Cpl. Lewis W. Hill, 18, of Detroit, Michigan, killed during the Korean War. In July 1950, Hill was a member of L Company, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He went missing in action after his unit was forced to retreat from the vicinity of Taejon, South Korea, on July 20, 1950. After regaining control of Taejon in the fall of 1950, the Army began recovering remains from the area and temporarily interring them at the United Nations Military Cemetery (UNMC) Taejon. One set of remains recovered during this period was designated Unknown X-29 Taejon. A tentative association was made between X-29 and Hill, but definitive proof could not be found, and X-29
was determined to be unidentifiable. The remains were sent to Hawaii where they were buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu.
On July 15, 2019, DPAA disinterred Unknown X-29 as part of Phase Two of the Korean War Disinterment Project and sent the remains to the DPAA laboratory. To identify Hill’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as chest radiograph comparison and circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. He was accounted for May 22, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Cpl. Lewis W. Hill, 18, of Detroit, Michigan, killed during the Korean War. In July 1950, Hill was a member of L Company, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He went missing in action after his unit was forced to retreat from the vicinity of Taejon, South Korea, on July 20, 1950. After regaining control of Taejon in the fall of 1950, the Army began recovering remains from the area and temporarily interring them at the United Nations Military Cemetery (UNMC) Taejon. One set of remains recovered during this period was designated Unknown X-29 Taejon. A tentative association was made between X-29 and Hill, but definitive proof could not be found, and X-29
was determined to be unidentifiable. The remains were sent to Hawaii where they were buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu.
On July 15, 2019, DPAA disinterred Unknown X-29 as part of Phase Two of the Korean War Disinterment Project and sent the remains to the DPAA laboratory. To identify Hill’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as chest radiograph comparison and circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. He was accounted for May 22, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
September 21, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class James L. Dorrance, 20, of Omaha, Nebraska, who died as a prisoner of war during the Korean War. In late 1950, Dorrance was a member of B Battery, 82nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery–Automatic Weapons Battalion, Division Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division, Eighth U.S. Army. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 1, 1950, after his unit’s withdrawal from Kunu-ri to Sunchon, in North Korea. In 1953, several POWs who returned during Operation Big Switch reported Dorrance had been a prisoner of war and died on March 17, 1951 at Prisoner of War Camp #5, Pyoktong, North Korea.
In September 2019, the DPAA disinterred Unknown X-14402, a set of remains returned during Operation Glory, as part of Phase Two of the Korean War Disinterment Plan. To identify Dorrance’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis as well as chest radiograph comparison. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. He was accounted for May 22, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class James L. Dorrance, 20, of Omaha, Nebraska, who died as a prisoner of war during the Korean War. In late 1950, Dorrance was a member of B Battery, 82nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery–Automatic Weapons Battalion, Division Artillery, 2nd Infantry Division, Eighth U.S. Army. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 1, 1950, after his unit’s withdrawal from Kunu-ri to Sunchon, in North Korea. In 1953, several POWs who returned during Operation Big Switch reported Dorrance had been a prisoner of war and died on March 17, 1951 at Prisoner of War Camp #5, Pyoktong, North Korea.
In September 2019, the DPAA disinterred Unknown X-14402, a set of remains returned during Operation Glory, as part of Phase Two of the Korean War Disinterment Plan. To identify Dorrance’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis as well as chest radiograph comparison. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. He was accounted for May 22, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
September 21, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Air Forces 2 nd Lt. Max E. Dailey, 21, of Cherokee, Iowa, killed during World War II. Dailey served with the 409th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Dailey was serving as a navigator, crashed due to enemy anti-
aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war.
In 2017, DPAA began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE. These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory for examination and identification. To identify Dailey’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from
the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis and autosomal DNA (auSTR). Reynolds was accounted for on June 22, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Air Forces 2 nd Lt. Max E. Dailey, 21, of Cherokee, Iowa, killed during World War II. Dailey served with the 409th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Dailey was serving as a navigator, crashed due to enemy anti-
aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war.
In 2017, DPAA began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE. These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory for examination and identification. To identify Dailey’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from
the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis and autosomal DNA (auSTR). Reynolds was accounted for on June 22, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
September 11, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Charles G. Reynolds, 24, of Bridgeport, Ohio, killed during World War II. Reynolds was a pilot assigned to the 498th Bombardment Squadron, 345th Bombardment Group, in the Southwest Pacific Theater. On November 27, the B-25D Mitchell which Reynolds was a crewmember of, did not
return from its bombing mission near Wewak, New Guinea. The American Graves Registration Services conducted exhaustive searches of battle areas and crash sites in New Guinea. Investigators recovered fragmentary sets of human remains near
Murik, as well as wreckage that was identified as belonging to a B-25 Mitchell. The remains, designated X-4180 and X-4196, were consolidated and declared unidentifiable. In 2019 a recovery team working near Murik found possible material evidence, which prompted DPAA to propose the disinterment of X-4180.
To identify Reynolds’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as material and circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. Reynolds was accounted for on July 18, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Charles G. Reynolds, 24, of Bridgeport, Ohio, killed during World War II. Reynolds was a pilot assigned to the 498th Bombardment Squadron, 345th Bombardment Group, in the Southwest Pacific Theater. On November 27, the B-25D Mitchell which Reynolds was a crewmember of, did not
return from its bombing mission near Wewak, New Guinea. The American Graves Registration Services conducted exhaustive searches of battle areas and crash sites in New Guinea. Investigators recovered fragmentary sets of human remains near
Murik, as well as wreckage that was identified as belonging to a B-25 Mitchell. The remains, designated X-4180 and X-4196, were consolidated and declared unidentifiable. In 2019 a recovery team working near Murik found possible material evidence, which prompted DPAA to propose the disinterment of X-4180.
To identify Reynolds’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as material and circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. Reynolds was accounted for on July 18, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
September 7, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Sergeant Stanley Turba, 27, of Russellton, Pennsylvania, killed during the Korean War. Turba was a member of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing in action after his unit engaged in a firefight with Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces in the vicinity of the Hwachon Reservoir, near the village of Yang-gu, South Korea, on April 26, 1951. After the implementation of the Korean War Armistice, the Republic of Korea began efforts to account for war losses. The Ministry of National Defense Agency for Killed in Action
Recovery and Identification (MAKRI) was developed to work alongside DPAA. Between 2013 and 2017, the area where Sgt. Turba was lost was investigated several times, with no positive matches for Sgt. Turba. In April 2021, MAKRI returned to the site and came across remains near Hill 909. The remains were carefully exhumed and sent to a lab for testing. The following
October, MAKRI turned over these remains to DPAA where they were sent to our laboratory for analysis and possible identification.
To identify Turba’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis and circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used Y-chromosome DNA (Y-STR) analysis. He was accounted for June 30, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Sergeant Stanley Turba, 27, of Russellton, Pennsylvania, killed during the Korean War. Turba was a member of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing in action after his unit engaged in a firefight with Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces in the vicinity of the Hwachon Reservoir, near the village of Yang-gu, South Korea, on April 26, 1951. After the implementation of the Korean War Armistice, the Republic of Korea began efforts to account for war losses. The Ministry of National Defense Agency for Killed in Action
Recovery and Identification (MAKRI) was developed to work alongside DPAA. Between 2013 and 2017, the area where Sgt. Turba was lost was investigated several times, with no positive matches for Sgt. Turba. In April 2021, MAKRI returned to the site and came across remains near Hill 909. The remains were carefully exhumed and sent to a lab for testing. The following
October, MAKRI turned over these remains to DPAA where they were sent to our laboratory for analysis and possible identification.
To identify Turba’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis and circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used Y-chromosome DNA (Y-STR) analysis. He was accounted for June 30, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
September 7, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Pfc. Roy J. Searle, 22, of Providence, Rhode Island, killed during World War II. Searle was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. His unit crossed the Saar River on Dec. 6 and attempted for the next several days to capture and hold two heavily defended towns of Pachten and Dillingen, Germany. Searle was mortally wounded during enemy engagement on Dec. 9, and was reported to have died of his wounds. Searle's body was among those not recovered. While studying unresolved American losses in the Pachten-Dillingen area, DPAA historians analyzed documentation related to a set of unidentified remains, designated X-4650 St. Avold, recovered in 1946 from a civilian cemetery in Reimsbach, Germany. The remains, buried as an Unknown at the Normandy American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in St. Laurent, France, were disinterred in June 2021 and sent to the DPAA laboratory for identification.
To identify Searle’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR) and autosomal DNA (auSTR) analysis. Seale was accounted for Sept. 27, 2022, and he will be buried Sept. 13, 2023, in Lake Worth, Florida.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Pfc. Roy J. Searle, 22, of Providence, Rhode Island, killed during World War II. Searle was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. His unit crossed the Saar River on Dec. 6 and attempted for the next several days to capture and hold two heavily defended towns of Pachten and Dillingen, Germany. Searle was mortally wounded during enemy engagement on Dec. 9, and was reported to have died of his wounds. Searle's body was among those not recovered. While studying unresolved American losses in the Pachten-Dillingen area, DPAA historians analyzed documentation related to a set of unidentified remains, designated X-4650 St. Avold, recovered in 1946 from a civilian cemetery in Reimsbach, Germany. The remains, buried as an Unknown at the Normandy American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in St. Laurent, France, were disinterred in June 2021 and sent to the DPAA laboratory for identification.
To identify Searle’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR) and autosomal DNA (auSTR) analysis. Seale was accounted for Sept. 27, 2022, and he will be buried Sept. 13, 2023, in Lake Worth, Florida.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
September 7, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Air Forces Pfc. Glenn A. Harris, 20, of Monterey, California, who was captured and died as a prisoner of war during World War II. Harris was a member of the 93rd Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group, when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands in December 1941. Harris was among those reported captured when U.S. forces in Bataan surrendered to the Japanese. They were subjected to the 65-mile Bataan Death March and then held at the Cabanatuan POW Camp #1. According to prison camp and other historical records, Harris died
July 26, 1942, and was buried along with other deceased prisoners in the local Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery in Common Grave 225. Three of the sets of remains from Common Grave 225 were identified, but the rest were declared unidentifiable. The unidentified remains were buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial (MACM) as Unknowns.
In March 2018, the remains associated with Common Grave 225 were disinterred and sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis. To identify Harris’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Y- chromosome DNA (Y-STR), and autosomal DNA (auSTR) analysis.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Air Forces Pfc. Glenn A. Harris, 20, of Monterey, California, who was captured and died as a prisoner of war during World War II. Harris was a member of the 93rd Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group, when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands in December 1941. Harris was among those reported captured when U.S. forces in Bataan surrendered to the Japanese. They were subjected to the 65-mile Bataan Death March and then held at the Cabanatuan POW Camp #1. According to prison camp and other historical records, Harris died
July 26, 1942, and was buried along with other deceased prisoners in the local Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery in Common Grave 225. Three of the sets of remains from Common Grave 225 were identified, but the rest were declared unidentifiable. The unidentified remains were buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial (MACM) as Unknowns.
In March 2018, the remains associated with Common Grave 225 were disinterred and sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis. To identify Harris’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Y- chromosome DNA (Y-STR), and autosomal DNA (auSTR) analysis.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
September 7, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Air Forces 1 st Lt. George W. Winger, 25, of Columbus, Ohio, killed during World War II. Winger was assigned to the 66th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Winger was serving as the pilot was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and crashed during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war.
In 2017, DPAA began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE losses. To identify Winger’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. He was accounted for on January 24, 2023. Winger’s funeral will be in Arlington National Cemetery, on a date to be determined.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Air Forces 1 st Lt. George W. Winger, 25, of Columbus, Ohio, killed during World War II. Winger was assigned to the 66th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Winger was serving as the pilot was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and crashed during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war.
In 2017, DPAA began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE losses. To identify Winger’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. He was accounted for on January 24, 2023. Winger’s funeral will be in Arlington National Cemetery, on a date to be determined.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
September 5, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Air Forces 2 nd Lt. Edward Barnett, 24, of Chicago, Illinois, killed during World War II. Barnett served with the 66th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Barnett was serving as a co-pilot crashed due to enemy anti-aircraft
fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war.
Following the war, the American Graves Registration Command, the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel, disinterred all American remains from the Bolovan Cemetery for identification. The AGRC was unable to identify more than 80 unknowns from Bolovan Cemetery, and those remains were permanently interred at Ardennes American
Cemetery and Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, both in Belgium.
In 2017, DPAA began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE losses. These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for examination and identification. To identify Barnett’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR) analysis. He was accounted for on May 5, 2023. Barnett’s funeral will be in Arlington National Cemetery, on a date to be determined.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Air Forces 2 nd Lt. Edward Barnett, 24, of Chicago, Illinois, killed during World War II. Barnett served with the 66th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Barnett was serving as a co-pilot crashed due to enemy anti-aircraft
fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war.
Following the war, the American Graves Registration Command, the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel, disinterred all American remains from the Bolovan Cemetery for identification. The AGRC was unable to identify more than 80 unknowns from Bolovan Cemetery, and those remains were permanently interred at Ardennes American
Cemetery and Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, both in Belgium.
In 2017, DPAA began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE losses. These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for examination and identification. To identify Barnett’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR) analysis. He was accounted for on May 5, 2023. Barnett’s funeral will be in Arlington National Cemetery, on a date to be determined.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
September 5, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Fred L. Brewer Jr., 23, of Charlotte, North Carolina, killed during World War II. Brewer was a pilot with the 100th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group, in the European Theater. On Oct. 19, Brewer departed Ramitelli Air Base, Italy, as one of 57 fighters assigned to escort bombers to their targets in Regensburg, Germany. It was reported Brewer’s aircraft had rolled over with the canopy jettisoned, but he was not observed ejecting from the plane. Brewer’s remains were not recovered, and he was subsequently declared missing in action. Researchers analyzed the file for Unknown Remains X-125, which had been recovered but not identified from the Moggio Udinese civilian cemetery by American forces in 1946. In 2022, DPAA and the American Battle Monuments Commission exhumed Unknown Remains X- 125 for forensic analysis. These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory for examination and identification.
To identify Brewer’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome DNA (Y-STR) analysis. He was accounted for on Aug. 10, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Fred L. Brewer Jr., 23, of Charlotte, North Carolina, killed during World War II. Brewer was a pilot with the 100th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group, in the European Theater. On Oct. 19, Brewer departed Ramitelli Air Base, Italy, as one of 57 fighters assigned to escort bombers to their targets in Regensburg, Germany. It was reported Brewer’s aircraft had rolled over with the canopy jettisoned, but he was not observed ejecting from the plane. Brewer’s remains were not recovered, and he was subsequently declared missing in action. Researchers analyzed the file for Unknown Remains X-125, which had been recovered but not identified from the Moggio Udinese civilian cemetery by American forces in 1946. In 2022, DPAA and the American Battle Monuments Commission exhumed Unknown Remains X- 125 for forensic analysis. These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory for examination and identification.
To identify Brewer’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome DNA (Y-STR) analysis. He was accounted for on Aug. 10, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational
priority is appreciated.
September 5, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Thomas F. Brooks,23, of Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, who was captured and died as a prisoner of war during WorldWar II. Brooks was a member of Company D, 194th Tank Battalion, US Army Forces Far East,when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands. Brooks was among those reportedcaptured when U.S. forces in Bataan surrendered to the Japanese. They were subjected to the 65-mile Bataan Death March and then held at the Cabanatuan POW camp. According to prison camp and other historical records, Brooks died Dec. 10, 1942, andwas buried along with other deceased prisoners in the local Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery inCommon Grave 917. In early 2018, the remains associated with Common Grave 917 weredisinterred and sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis.
To identify Brooks’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropologicalanalysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed ForcesMedical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. He was accounted foron June 20, 2023, will be buried on October 01, 2023, in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Thomas F. Brooks,23, of Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, who was captured and died as a prisoner of war during WorldWar II. Brooks was a member of Company D, 194th Tank Battalion, US Army Forces Far East,when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands. Brooks was among those reportedcaptured when U.S. forces in Bataan surrendered to the Japanese. They were subjected to the 65-mile Bataan Death March and then held at the Cabanatuan POW camp. According to prison camp and other historical records, Brooks died Dec. 10, 1942, andwas buried along with other deceased prisoners in the local Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery inCommon Grave 917. In early 2018, the remains associated with Common Grave 917 weredisinterred and sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis.
To identify Brooks’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropologicalanalysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed ForcesMedical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. He was accounted foron June 20, 2023, will be buried on October 01, 2023, in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
August 31, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Air Forces Sergeant Irving R. Newman, 22, of Los Angeles, California, missing in action during World War II. In May 1943, Newman along with nine crewmembers of a B-24D Liberator were participating in a bombing mission of Reggio di Calabria harbor, in Sicily. During an emergency landing, the plane caught fire and crashed into the water near Benghajsa Point, Malta. Nine airmen survived the incident, but Sgt Newman was not able to be rescued and his remains were not recovered following the
war.
The University of Malta and a private company located the wreckage of a B-24D near Benghajsa Point, Malta, at a depth of 180 feet. Beginning in 2018, a partner organization supported by DPAA archaeology recovered material evidence, life support equipment, and suspected human remains from this crash site. To identify Newman’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and dental analysis. Newman will be buried at a place and time to be determined later.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Air Forces Sergeant Irving R. Newman, 22, of Los Angeles, California, missing in action during World War II. In May 1943, Newman along with nine crewmembers of a B-24D Liberator were participating in a bombing mission of Reggio di Calabria harbor, in Sicily. During an emergency landing, the plane caught fire and crashed into the water near Benghajsa Point, Malta. Nine airmen survived the incident, but Sgt Newman was not able to be rescued and his remains were not recovered following the
war.
The University of Malta and a private company located the wreckage of a B-24D near Benghajsa Point, Malta, at a depth of 180 feet. Beginning in 2018, a partner organization supported by DPAA archaeology recovered material evidence, life support equipment, and suspected human remains from this crash site. To identify Newman’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and dental analysis. Newman will be buried at a place and time to be determined later.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
August 16, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of US Army Pfc. Lex L. Lillard, 20, of Tucson, AZ, who was captured and died as a POW during World War II. In late 1941, Pvt. Lillard was a member of the Medical Department of Manila and Subic Bay in the Philippines. He died July 19, 1942, and was buried along with other deceased POWs in the local Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery
in Common Grave 312. In January 2018, remains associated with Common Grave 312 were disinterred and sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis. To identify Pvt. Lillard’s remains, DPAA scientists used anthropological analysis and circumstantial evidence, and AFMES scientists uses mtDNA analysis. Pvt. Lillard will be buried in Jay, Oklahoma, on September 23, 2023.
We honor all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veteran Service Organizations, the League’s long-standing advocacy to account as fully as possible for America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs led to formation of DPAA, the world’s leading and best accounting capability. We deeply appreciate DPAA Director Kelly McKeague’s repeated pledge.
to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority
The League welcomes the identification of US Army Pfc. Lex L. Lillard, 20, of Tucson, AZ, who was captured and died as a POW during World War II. In late 1941, Pvt. Lillard was a member of the Medical Department of Manila and Subic Bay in the Philippines. He died July 19, 1942, and was buried along with other deceased POWs in the local Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery
in Common Grave 312. In January 2018, remains associated with Common Grave 312 were disinterred and sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis. To identify Pvt. Lillard’s remains, DPAA scientists used anthropological analysis and circumstantial evidence, and AFMES scientists uses mtDNA analysis. Pvt. Lillard will be buried in Jay, Oklahoma, on September 23, 2023.
We honor all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veteran Service Organizations, the League’s long-standing advocacy to account as fully as possible for America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs led to formation of DPAA, the world’s leading and best accounting capability. We deeply appreciate DPAA Director Kelly McKeague’s repeated pledge.
to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority
August 15, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Sgt. Willie J. Baty, 20, of Mexia, Texas, killed during the Korean War. Baty was a member of L Company, 3rd Battalion, 24thInfantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Sept. 14, 1950when his unit was forced to withdraw from the Masan area of the Pusan Perimeter, South Korea. Following the battle, his remains could not be recovered, and there is no evidence that he was ever a prisoner of war. The U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps recovered a set remains designated as Unknown X-159 near Masan. After extensive analysis by the Central Identification Unit-Kokura in Japan was unable to identify X-159. In Dec. 1950, the remains were buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu, with other Korean War Unknowns. In March 2019, DPAA disinterred X-159 as part of Phase One of the Korean War Disinterment Plan and sent the remains to the DPAA laboratory at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for analysis. To identify Baty’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental, isotope and anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. He was accounted for Feb. 8,2023,.and will be buried in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 15, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Sgt. Willie J. Baty, 20, of Mexia, Texas, killed during the Korean War. Baty was a member of L Company, 3rd Battalion, 24thInfantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Sept. 14, 1950when his unit was forced to withdraw from the Masan area of the Pusan Perimeter, South Korea. Following the battle, his remains could not be recovered, and there is no evidence that he was ever a prisoner of war. The U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps recovered a set remains designated as Unknown X-159 near Masan. After extensive analysis by the Central Identification Unit-Kokura in Japan was unable to identify X-159. In Dec. 1950, the remains were buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu, with other Korean War Unknowns. In March 2019, DPAA disinterred X-159 as part of Phase One of the Korean War Disinterment Plan and sent the remains to the DPAA laboratory at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for analysis. To identify Baty’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental, isotope and anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. He was accounted for Feb. 8,2023,.and will be buried in Dallas, Texas, on Sept. 15, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
August 15, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of US Army Pvt. Alvin D. Thurman, 21, Broken Bow, Oklahoma, killed in action Nov. 6, 1951. He was a member of 1st Platoon, A Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. After his unit’s withdrawal from Hill 200 in the present-day Korea Demilitarized Zone, Pvt. Thurman’s remains were recovered, but
were unidentifiable and were interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP) in Hawaii, known as the Punchbowl. In 2018, DPAA disinterred a large number of unidentified Korean War remains and sent them to their laboratory for forensic analysis. Scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) used anthropological and (mtDNA) analysis to identify Pvt. Thurman’s remains. He was listed as accounted for March 30, 2023, and will be buried in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, on Oct. 21, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the world’s largest and best accounting capability. Though WWII and Korean War IDs and military honors ceremonies are frequent,
welcome and well-earned, DPAA Director Kelly McKeague’s repeated pledge of highest operational priority on Vietnam War accounting efforts is much appreciated.
https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt00000004lW5EAI
The League welcomes the identification of US Army Pvt. Alvin D. Thurman, 21, Broken Bow, Oklahoma, killed in action Nov. 6, 1951. He was a member of 1st Platoon, A Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. After his unit’s withdrawal from Hill 200 in the present-day Korea Demilitarized Zone, Pvt. Thurman’s remains were recovered, but
were unidentifiable and were interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP) in Hawaii, known as the Punchbowl. In 2018, DPAA disinterred a large number of unidentified Korean War remains and sent them to their laboratory for forensic analysis. Scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) used anthropological and (mtDNA) analysis to identify Pvt. Thurman’s remains. He was listed as accounted for March 30, 2023, and will be buried in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, on Oct. 21, 2023.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the world’s largest and best accounting capability. Though WWII and Korean War IDs and military honors ceremonies are frequent,
welcome and well-earned, DPAA Director Kelly McKeague’s repeated pledge of highest operational priority on Vietnam War accounting efforts is much appreciated.
https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt00000004lW5EAI
August 10, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of Army Air Forces Sgt. Willard S. Kendall, 23, of Chicago, Illinois, killed during World War II. On Feb. 25, 1944, Kendall was a tail gunner on a B-17G Flying Fortress that was struck by anti-aircraft fire after a bombing raid on the Prufening Aircraft Factory in Regensburg, Germany. His remains were recovered post-war but found unidentifiable and were permanently interred at the U.S. Military Cemetery at St. Avold, France. In 2017, DPAA examined local records related to this burial and, in June 2019, the remains were disinterred and sent to the DPAA Laboratory for forensic analysis. Scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) used anthropological and mito chondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis to identify Sgt. Kendall’s remains. He was accounted for April 13, 2023, and will be buried in Forest Park, Illinois, on a date to be determined.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
Sgt WILLARD S KENDALL - Service Member Profile (crmforce.mil)
The League welcomes the identification of Army Air Forces Sgt. Willard S. Kendall, 23, of Chicago, Illinois, killed during World War II. On Feb. 25, 1944, Kendall was a tail gunner on a B-17G Flying Fortress that was struck by anti-aircraft fire after a bombing raid on the Prufening Aircraft Factory in Regensburg, Germany. His remains were recovered post-war but found unidentifiable and were permanently interred at the U.S. Military Cemetery at St. Avold, France. In 2017, DPAA examined local records related to this burial and, in June 2019, the remains were disinterred and sent to the DPAA Laboratory for forensic analysis. Scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES) used anthropological and mito chondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis to identify Sgt. Kendall’s remains. He was accounted for April 13, 2023, and will be buried in Forest Park, Illinois, on a date to be determined.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
Sgt WILLARD S KENDALL - Service Member Profile (crmforce.mil)
The League welcomes the identification of Marine Captain Ralph Jim Chipman, pilot of an A6A lost over Quang Binh Province on December 27, 1972. Please follow the attached link to see the announcement by the Chipman family.
August 7, 2023
Over the past few months the US government has conducted two excavations of our Dads crash site in the Quang Binh Province of Vietnam. In July of this year we were notified that in June they had recovered our Dads dog tag, some teeth, and osseous material (bone fragments). These items confirmed that the excavation site is the correct crash site.
Today our family received a phone call from Ronald C Williams (Marine casualty officer) informing us that the analysis of the postmortem teeth match the antemortem teeth found confirming that the dental evidence is positively those of our Dad. DNA testing is ongoing with the bone fragments that were recovered.
After 50 years the day our family has been waiting for has finally come!
Our family wants to thank all of those that have made this day possible with a special thanks to Karoni Forester. Karoni has spent numerous hours coordinating with all of those involved to keep our case progressing. We hope with the ongoing DNA analysis and future excavations that Capt Ron Forrester will be brought home as well.
Kind regards,
Scot Chipman
Matthew Chipman
Over the past few months the US government has conducted two excavations of our Dads crash site in the Quang Binh Province of Vietnam. In July of this year we were notified that in June they had recovered our Dads dog tag, some teeth, and osseous material (bone fragments). These items confirmed that the excavation site is the correct crash site.
Today our family received a phone call from Ronald C Williams (Marine casualty officer) informing us that the analysis of the postmortem teeth match the antemortem teeth found confirming that the dental evidence is positively those of our Dad. DNA testing is ongoing with the bone fragments that were recovered.
After 50 years the day our family has been waiting for has finally come!
Our family wants to thank all of those that have made this day possible with a special thanks to Karoni Forester. Karoni has spent numerous hours coordinating with all of those involved to keep our case progressing. We hope with the ongoing DNA analysis and future excavations that Capt Ron Forrester will be brought home as well.
Kind regards,
Scot Chipman
Matthew Chipman
July 27, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Pfc. Albert A. Gosnell of Greenville, South Carolina, who was killed during the Korean War. Pfc. Gosnell was accounted for on May 15, 2023. His remains were recovered during the Korean War but declared unidentifiable and sent to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Hawaii, along with other Korean War Unknowns. As part of the Korean War Disinterment Project, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, chest radiograph comparison, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), to identify Pfc. Gosnell.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
Pfc ALBERT AARON GOSNELL - Service Member Profile (crmforce.mil)
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Pfc. Albert A. Gosnell of Greenville, South Carolina, who was killed during the Korean War. Pfc. Gosnell was accounted for on May 15, 2023. His remains were recovered during the Korean War but declared unidentifiable and sent to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Hawaii, along with other Korean War Unknowns. As part of the Korean War Disinterment Project, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, chest radiograph comparison, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), to identify Pfc. Gosnell.
The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
Pfc ALBERT AARON GOSNELL - Service Member Profile (crmforce.mil)
July 26, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class James L. Wilkinson, of Bowden, Georgia, who was killed during the Korean War. Sergeant Wilkinson was accounted for on December 5, 2022. His remains were recovered during the Korean War but declared unidentifiable and sent to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the
Punchbowl, in Hawaii, along with other Korean War Unknowns. As part of the Korean War Disinterment Project, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, chest radiograph comparison, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), to identify Sgt. 1st Class Wilkinson. The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the
Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
Sfc JAMES LEVON WILKINSON - Service Member Profile (crmforce.mil)
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class James L. Wilkinson, of Bowden, Georgia, who was killed during the Korean War. Sergeant Wilkinson was accounted for on December 5, 2022. His remains were recovered during the Korean War but declared unidentifiable and sent to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the
Punchbowl, in Hawaii, along with other Korean War Unknowns. As part of the Korean War Disinterment Project, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, chest radiograph comparison, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), to identify Sgt. 1st Class Wilkinson. The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the
Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
Sfc JAMES LEVON WILKINSON - Service Member Profile (crmforce.mil)
July 26, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Air Forces Sgt. Donal C. Aiken, 22, of Everett, Washington, killed during World War II. Sergeant Aiken was accounted for May 5,2023. The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
Airman Accounted For From World War II (Aiken, D.) > Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency > PressReleaseArticleView (dpaa.mil)
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Air Forces Sgt. Donal C. Aiken, 22, of Everett, Washington, killed during World War II. Sergeant Aiken was accounted for May 5,2023. The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
Airman Accounted For From World War II (Aiken, D.) > Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency > PressReleaseArticleView (dpaa.mil)
July 24, 2023
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Sergeant John W. Radanovich, 23, of Mount Olive, Illinois, reported missing during World War II. Sergeant Radanovich was accounted for May 11, 2023. The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing
advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
Soldier Accounted For From World War II (Radanovich, J.) > Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency > PressReleaseArticleView (dpaa.mil)
The League welcomes the identification of U.S. Army Sergeant John W. Radanovich, 23, of Mount Olive, Illinois, reported missing during World War II. Sergeant Radanovich was accounted for May 11, 2023. The League honors all who served and sacrificed for our nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, our long-standing
advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs has led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
Soldier Accounted For From World War II (Radanovich, J.) > Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency > PressReleaseArticleView (dpaa.mil)
July 21, 2023
The League welcomes the ID of 1st Lt. Noel Shoup, U.S. Army Air Corps, and honors all who served and sacrificed for our Nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, the League's long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
Pilot Accounted For From World War II (Shoup, N.) > Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency > PressReleaseArticleView (dpaa.mil)
The League welcomes the ID of 1st Lt. Noel Shoup, U.S. Army Air Corps, and honors all who served and sacrificed for our Nation. Strongly supported by the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) community, the League's long-standing advocacy for pursuing answers about America’s Vietnam War POW/MIAs led to the largest and best accounting capacity in the world. DPAA’s pledge to place Vietnam War accounting as its highest operational priority is appreciated.
Pilot Accounted For From World War II (Shoup, N.) > Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency > PressReleaseArticleView (dpaa.mil)