Press Release | March 17, 2025

Airman Accounted For From World War II (Clendenning, L.)

WASHINGTON  –  

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced today that U.S. Army Air Forces Pfc. Lee I. Clendenning, 23, killed during World War II, was accounted for on March 11, 2025.

During World War II, Clendenning was assigned to 23rd Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group at Hickam Airfield on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. On. Dec. 7th, 1941, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese aircraft expanded to Hickam Field, targeting U.S. aircrafts and ships, barracks, supply buildings, and the base chapel. The attack lasted four hours. Clendenning was reportedly killed during this time.

This is an initial release. The complete accounting of Clendenning’s case will be published once the family receives their full briefing.