News

U.S. service member from New Hampshire accounted for from WWII

Thursday, August 08, 2024

A bronze rosette was placed recently next to the name of U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Stanley J. Samoski on the Wall of the Missing at the North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia, signifying he has been accounted for. American Battle Monuments Commission staff were joined by U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Tunisia Joey R. Hood who placed the rosette.

U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Tunisia Joey R. Hood places a rosette on the wall of the missing for 2nd Lt. Stanley J. Samoski on the Wall of the Missing at the North Africa American Cemetery in Tunisia.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Samoski’s identification on July 2. Samoski, 22, was from Manchester, New Hampshire, and served with the 334th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force in WWII. Samoski will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined.

When a missing service member is recovered, identified and finally laid to rest, the 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 900 that have been placed beside the names of missing service members at ABMC sites around the world. Samoski's rosette is the 21st to be placed on the Wall of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery, which includes the names of 3,724 service members.

About American Battle Monuments Commission:

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. The three memorials in the United States are: the Honolulu Memorial located within the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu; the West Coast Memorial located within the Presidio National Park in San Francisco; and the East Coast Memorial located within Battery Park in New York City. 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. For more information about the ABMC, visit abmc.gov.