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News

160th rosette placed to recognize WWII gunner

Published December 3, 2024

Netherlands American Cemetery installed a rosette Dec. 2 signifying that U.S. Army Air Forces Tech Sgt. Sanford G. Roy has been accounted for.

An undated WWII-era photo of Sanford G. Roy
An undated WWII-era photo of Sanford G. Roy. Courtesy DPAA

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Roy’s identification Nov. 26. Roy, originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, was assigned to the 732nd Bombardment Squadron, 453rd Bombardment Group, 2nd Combat Bomb Wing, 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force in the European Theater in spring 1944 as the waist gunner onboard the B-24H Liberator “Little Joe.”

Roy will be buried in his hometown on the 81st anniversary of his loss, April 8, 2025.

A bronze rosette is placed next to the name of Sanford Roy on the Wall of the Missing
A bronze rosette is placed next to the name of U.S. Army Air Forces Tech Sgt. Sanford G. Roy on the Wall of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery.

When a missing service member is recovered, identified and finally laid to rest, ABMC places a rosette beside their name on the Walls of the Missing. This rosette, a symbol of eternity, is crafted as a bronze rosemary wreath—a timeless emblem of honor and victory. Encircled by the eight-points of a compass, it signifies America’s commitment, reaching out in all directions to recover their remains from the farthest corners of the earth.

This rosette is one of more than 2,000 that have been placed beside the names of missing service members at ABMC sites around the world. The placement of this rosette brings the total to 160 on the Wall of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, which includes the names of 1,722 service members.

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About ABMC

The American Battle Monuments Commission operates and maintains 26 cemeteries and 31 federal memorials, monuments and commemorative plaques in 17 countries throughout the world, including the United States. 

Since March 4, 1923, the ABMC’s sacred mission remains to honor the service, achievements, and sacrifice of more than 200,000 U.S. service members buried and memorialized at our sites. 

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