Identifying Our Missing: February 2017 Identifications
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, nearly 83,000 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.
During February 2017, DPAA accounted for 17 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
Storekeeper 2nd Class Glenn G. Cyriack, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Steward's Mate 1st Class Cyril I. Dusset, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Fireman 1st Class Lawrence H. Fecho, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Fireman 1st Class Michael Galajdik, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Seaman 2nd Class George T. George, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Pvt. William D. Gruber, 93rd Bomber Squadron, 19th Bomber Group, Heavy
Walls of the Missing: Manila American Cemetery
Fireman 1st Class William H. Kennedy, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Musician 1st Class Elliot D. Larsen, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Gunner's Mate 1st Class Arthur C. Neuenschwander, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Fire Controlman 3rd Class Robert L. Pribble, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Seaman 1st Class Paul S. Raimond, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Fireman 1st Class, Walter B. Rogers, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Fireman 1st Class Charles W. Thompson, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Fireman 3rd Class Robert N. Walkowiak, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Korean War
Cpl. Billie J. Jimerson, Company C, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Sgt. Donald Dean Noehren, Headquarters and Headquarters Service Company, 2nd Engineer Combat Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Vietnam War
Capt. Daniel W. Thomas, 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron
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 27 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.