Identifying Our Missing: December 2018 Identifications from DPAA
In World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, millions of Americans served far from home. In the various conflicts, service members fought in the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific. They traversed mountains in Italy, France, Korea and Vietnam. They trudged through the tropical jungles of the Philippines. And they fought in countless other locations. They touched nearly all corners of the globe. Because of the geographic challenges, the use of air and naval power, and the inherent dangers of an active war zone, Americans that lost their lives were not always recovered. Today, more than 82,000 are unaccounted for from these conflicts. But the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) is working to change this. DPAA’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation.
The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) also has a role in the history of honoring the missing individual. Every American that was considered missing in action, or lost or buried at sea from World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War is commemorated on Walls of the Missing at an ABMC cemetery or memorial. The names of the missing remain permanently inscribed, even after the individual is recovered, identified and accounted for. To denote that the person is no longer missing, ABMC adds a rosette next to the name.
ABMC’s role isn’t limited to the Walls of the Missing. With nearly 6,000 service members buried as Unknowns within the overseas cemeteries, DPAA works with ABMC to disinter remains they believe have a high likelihood of being identified. From the disinterment of unknown remains to rosettes being added to the Walls of the Missing, ABMC is dedicated to honoring all those Americans who paid the ultimate price.
During December 2018 DPAA accounted for 12 service members who lost their lives in World War II or the Korean War. ABMC will add a rosette next to each of the following names:
World War II
Seaman 2nd Class John C. Auld, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
1st Lt. Burleigh E. Curtis, 377th Fighter Squadron, 362nd Fighter Group
Tablets of the Missing: Brittany American Cemetery
Pfc. William F. Delaney, Company A, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
Tablets of the Missing: Netherlands American Cemetery
Steward 2nd Class Felicismo Florese, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
2nd Lt. Lynn W. Hadfield, 642nd Bombardment Squadron, 409th Bombardment Group, 9th Bombardment Division, 9th Air Force
Tablets of the Missing: Netherlands American Cemetery
Sgt. Vernon L. Hamilton, 642nd Bombardment Squadron, 409th Bombardment Group, 9th Bombardment Division, 9th Air Force
Tablets of the Missing: Netherlands American Cemetery
Machinist’s Mate 1st Class George Hanson, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Water Tender 1st Class Edwin B. McCabe, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Roman W. Sadlowski, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Seaman 2nd Class George A. Thompson, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Korean War
Pfc. Karl L. Dye, Battery B, 52nd Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Infantry Division
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Cpl. John G. Krebs, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
About ABMC:
Established by Congress in 1923, the American Battle Monuments Commission commemorates the service, achievements, and sacrifice of U.S. armed forces. ABMC administers 26 overseas military cemeteries, and 30 memorials, monuments, and markers.
About DPAA:
DPAA’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation. 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, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call (703) 699-1420.