Funeral Announcement For Marine Killed During World War II (Guerriero, A.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, recently accounted-for from World War II, are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Marine Corps Cpl. Anthony G. Guerriero, 22, of Boston, will be buried November 14 in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, D.C. In November 1943, Guerriero was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Guerriero died on the second day of battle, Nov. 21, 1943.
Despite the heavy casualties suffered by U.S. forces, military success in the battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.
In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. The 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio between 1946 and 1947, but Guerriero’s remains were not identified. All of the remains found on Tarawa were sent to the Schofield Barracks Central Identification Laboratory for identification in 1947. By 1949, the remains that had not been identified were interred in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu.
In October 2016, DPAA disinterred Tarawa Unknown X-049 from the Punchbowl and sent the remains to the laboratory for analysis.
To identify Guerriero’s remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial (mtDNA) DNA analysis, which matched his family, dental and anthropological analysis, which matched his records; as well as circumstantial evidence.
DPAA is grateful to the Department of Veterans Affairs for their partnership in this mission.
Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war. Currently there are 72,977 service members (approximately 26,000 are assessed as possibly-recoverable) still unaccounted for from World War II. Guerriero’s name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the Punchbowl along with the other MIAs from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
https://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpg00adminhttps://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpgadmin2025-04-01 22:39:002025-04-01 22:39:02Cpl. Anthony G. Guerriero
Funeral Announcement For Soldier Captured During The Korean War (Mueller, G.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, recently accounted-for from the Korean War, was returned to his family and buried with full military honors.
Army Sgt. Gerald J. Mueller, 20, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, buried November 8 in Fort Snelling, Minnesota. In February 1951, Mueller was a member of Battery D, 82nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion (Automatic Weapons,) 2nd Infantry Division, which was part of a group known as Support Force 21 (SF21,) providing artillery support for the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) against the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces (CPVF.) On Feb. 11, 1941, while the ROKA was making an attack north toward Hongch’on, the CPVF launched a massive counter-offensive. Unable to withstand the numbers, the ROKA withdrew south, leaving Mueller’s battery and the rest of SF21 behind to fight cut off from other friendly units. The following day, SF21 began movement south, fighting through ambushes and roadblocks, eventually making it to Wonju. Mueller, who could not be accounted for, was declared missing in action as of Feb. 13, 1951.
A returning American prisoner of war reported that Mueller had been captured and marched to Suan Bean Camp. Reportedly, he was left behind when other prisoners were marched to Camp 1 in April 1951. A list provided by the CPVF and Korean People’s Army (KPA,) reported Mueller died while in their custody.
Between 1990 and 1994, North Korea returned 208 boxes of commingled human remains to the United States, which we determined to contain the remains of at least 400 U.S. servicemen who fought during the war. On In May 1992, they turned over remains from an area associated with the Suan Bean Camp.
To identify Mueller’s remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial (mtDNA) DNA analysis, which matched his family, as well as anthropological analysis, which matched his records, and circumstantial evidence.
Today, 7,716 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. Using modern technology, identifications continue to be made from remains that were previously returned by North Korean officials or recovered from North Korea by American recovery teams. Mueller’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
https://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpg00adminhttps://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpgadmin2025-04-01 22:37:252025-04-01 22:37:27Sgt. Gerald J. Mueller
Funeral Announcement For Soldier Missing From Korean War (Baer, D.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, recently accounted-for from the Korean War, are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Army Cpl. Donald L. Baer, 20, of Racine, Wisconsin, will be buried November 11 in his hometown. In July 1950, Baer was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, engaged in combat operations against forces of the North Korean Army in and around the city of Taejon (now Daejon), South Korea. On July 19, 1950, the North Koreans initiated a large-scale attack on the city in an attempt to destroy U.S. forces. Following the battle, Baer could not be accounted for and was declared missing in action as of July 20, 1950.
In June and July 1952, the 392nd Quartermaster Graves Registration Company (GRC) conducted searches of the area associated with the Division’s battles. The remains that were recovered from the battlefield were sent to the Central Identification Unit in Kokura, Japan for identification efforts. No remains were associated with Baer. Additionally, no repatriated American POWs reported that Baer had been captured with another prisoner of war. Based on the lack of information regarding his status, the U.S. Army declared him deceased on Dec. 31, 1953.
In February 1951, the 565th GRC recovered five sets of U.S. remains while conducting recovery efforts in the vicinity of Kujong-ni, South Korea. One set of remains was identified and the rest were designated as Unknowns, including “Unknown X-452.” In May 1955 it was determined the remains were “unidentifiable” and were transferred to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, known as the “Punchbowl.”
After a thorough historical and scientific analysis of information associated with X-452, it was determined that the remains could likely be identified. After receipt of approval, the remains were disinterred from the Punchbowl on Aug. 14, 2017, and sent to DPAA for analysis.
To identify Baer’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental, anthropological and chest radiograph comparison analysis, which matched his records, as well as circumstantial evidence.
DPAA is grateful to the Department of Veterans Affairs for their partnership in this mission.
Today, 7,716 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. Using modern technology, identifications continue to be made from remains that were previously returned by North Korean officials or recovered from North Korea by American recovery teams. Baer’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
https://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpg00adminhttps://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpgadmin2025-04-01 22:35:432025-04-01 22:35:44Cpl. Donald L. Baer
Funeral Announcement For Soldier Killed During World War II (Counter, P.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, recently accounted-for from World War II, are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Army Technician Fourth Grade Pete M. Counter, 24, of Detroit, will be buried November 11 in Onaway, Michigan. On Dec. 5, 1942, Counter was a member of Company C, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division, when he was killed during intense engagement with Japanese forces in the vicinity of Soputa-Sanananda Track in the Australian Territory of Papua (present-day Papua New Guinea.) He was reportedly buried in an isolated grave north of Soputa.
In February 1943, the remains of an unidentified American soldier, tentatively associated with the 32nd Infantry Division, were interred at the U.S. Temporary Cemetery #2 at Soputa. On April 6, 1943, the remains, designated “Unknown X-10” were reinterred at Temporary Cemetery #1 at Soputa, then interred at U.S. Armed Forces Finschhafen #2, and redesignated “Unknown X-171.”
In 1947, the American Graves Registration service exhumed approximately 11,000 graves, including X-171, which was redesignated to X-2693, and shipped the remains to the Central Identification Point at the Manila Mausoleum in the Philippines. X-2693 could not be identified and were interred at Fort McKinley (now the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.)
In November 2016, DPAA received authorization to reexamine the remains from the MACM. Unknown X-2693 was disinterred Nov. 4, 2016 and sent to the laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska for analysis.
To identify Counter’s remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial (mtDNA) analysis, which matched his family, as well as dental and anthropological analysis, which matched his records, and circumstantial evidence.
DPAA is grateful to the American Battle Monuments Commission for their assistance in this mission.
Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war. Currently there are 72,977 service members (approximately 26,000 are assessed as possibly-recoverable) still unaccounted for from World War II. Counter’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the other MIAs from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
https://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpg00adminhttps://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpgadmin2025-04-01 22:33:012025-04-01 22:33:03Technician Fourth Grade Pete M. Counter
Funeral Announcement For Soldier Killed During World War II (Sowell, R.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, recently accounted for from World War II, are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Army Sgt. Richard G. Sowell, 21, of West Palm Beach, Florida, will be buried November 10 in his hometown. In July 1944, Sowell was a member of 295th Joint Assault Signal Company, Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 106th Infantry, when American forces participated in the battle for the island Saipan, part of a larger operation to secure the Mariana Islands. Sowell, a spotter for the signal company, was last known to be in the vicinity of Hill 721 on the island of Saipan, which was under heavy attack by the Japanese on July 6-7, 1944. On the morning of July 7, the commanding officer of 106th Infantry reported that Sowell was killed in action.
In 1947 and 1948, the American Graves Registration Service Search and Recovery teams covered the island in search of missing Americans, though Sowell was not found. In June 1949, an ordnance officer with the U.S. Army Garrison Force on Saipan discovered remains in a foxhole, believed to be those of an American service member. The remains were transported to the Army-Navy mortuary on Saipan and were transferred to the Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii, where they were designated “Unknown X-29 Saipan. Due to insufficient evidence, the remains could not be identified and were interred in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.
After a thorough historical and scientific analysis, it was determined that X-29 could likely be identified. After receiving approval, on August 20, 2015, Unknown X-29 was disinterred and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
To identify Sowell’s remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used Y-chromosome (Y-STR) DNA, which matched his family members; as well as dental and anthropological analysis, which matched Sowell’s records; and historical evidence.
Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war. Currently there are 72,977 service members still unaccounted for from World War II (approximately 26,000 are assessed as possibly-recoverable). Sowell’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an ABMC site along with the other MIAs from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
https://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpg00adminhttps://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpgadmin2025-04-01 22:31:342025-04-01 22:31:35Sgt. Richard G. Sowell
Funeral Announcement For USS Oklahoma Sailor Killed During World War (Dusset, C.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman from World War II have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Navy Steward’s Mate 1st Class Cyril I. Dusset, 21, of New Orleans, Louisiana, will be buried November 9 in Slidell, Louisiana On Dec. 7, 1941, Dusset was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Dusset.
From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu’uanu Cemeteries.
In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Dusset.
In April 2015, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a policy memorandum directing the disinterment of unknowns associated with the USS Oklahoma. On June 15, 2015, DPAA personnel began exhuming the remains from the NMCP for analysis.
To identify Dusset’s remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial (mtDNA) DNA analysis, which matched his family, as well as circumstantial evidence and laboratory analysis, to include dental comparisons.
DPAA is grateful to the Department of Veterans Affairs for their partnership in this recovery.
Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war. Currently there are 72,977 (approximately 26,000 are assessed as possibly-recoverable) still unaccounted for from World War II. Dusset’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
https://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpg00adminhttps://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpgadmin2025-04-01 22:30:042025-04-01 22:30:05Steward’s Mate 1st Class Cyril I. Dusset
Funeral Announcement For Soldier Missing From Korean War (Lucas, R.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, recently accounted-for from the Korean War, are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Army Pfc. Richard A. Lucas, 17, of Monmouth, New Jersey, will be buried November 2 in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, D.C. In late November 1950, Lucas was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, which was located in defensive positions in the area of the Chongchon River, northeast of Kujang, North Korea. The unit was tasked with engaging enemy forces in the area, then move north past the main line of resistance. On Nov. 25, 1950, enemy forces launched a large-scale attack against the regiment. Intense fighting isolated the battalion from the rest of the regiment. As the battalion accounted for its personnel, Lucas was reported missing in action as of Nov. 26, 1950, near Kunu-ri, North Korea.
During the war, Lucas was not listed on any Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces (CPVF) or [North] Korean People’s Army (KPA) Prisoners of War (POWs) lists. Additionally, no returning American prisoners in 1953 provided any information on the status of Lucas, outside of an unconfirmed report of a “Luccas” of the 9th Infantry Regiment, who died in March 1951. Based on that information, the U.S. Army declared him deceased as of Dec. 31, 1953. Later, another returned prisoner of war recalled a Richard Lucas who died en route to Pukchin-Tarigol.
In August and September 2002, a joint U.S. and KPA recovery team conducted a Joint Recovery Operation at a site in Unsan County, North Pyongan Province, North Korea, which was reported by a local national to be a temporary prison camp. Remains were recovered and accessioned to the DPAA laboratory on Sept. 27, 2002.
To identify Lucas’ remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial (mtDNA),Y-chromosome (Y-STR) and autosomal (au-STR) DNA analysis, which matched his family, as well as dental and anthropological analysis, which matched his records, and circumstantial evidence.
Today, 7,718 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. Using modern technology, identifications continue to be made from remains that were previously returned by North Korean officials or recovered from North Korea by American recovery teams. Lucas’ name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
https://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpg00adminhttps://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpgadmin2025-04-01 22:29:072025-04-01 22:29:08Pfc. Richard A. Lucas
Funeral Announcement For Soldier Captured During The Korean War (Hackenberg, W.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, recently accounted-for from the Korean War, are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Army Pfc. Walter C. Hackenberg, 22, of Snyder County, Pennsylvania, will be buried November 2 in the Middleburg, Pennsylvania. In late April 1951, Hackenberg was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, along a defensive line west of Chorw’on, South Korea, when his unit was attacked by the Chinese People’s Volunteer Force (CPVF) and Korean People’s Army (KPA.) American troops were able to hold the lines, and when the attacks subsided, a patrol went to determine possible enemy river-crossing points. Enemy forces engaged the patrol with mortars and small arms fire, forcing the patrol to withdraw. Hackenberg could not be accounted for at the end of the battle, and he was declared missing in action as of April 25, 1951.
Following the war, several returning American prisoners of war reported that Hackenberg had been captured by the CPVF and died in the summer of 1951 while being held at a prisoner of war camp. Based on this information, the U.S. Army declared him deceased as of Sept. 9, 1951.
In 1954, United Nations and communist forces exchanged the remains of war dead in what came to be called “Operation Glory.” All remains recovered in Operation Glory were turned over to the Army’s Central Identification Unit for analysis.
On Sept. 7, 1954, a set of remains reportedly recovered from a prisoner of war cemetery at Camp 1 and 3, Changsong, North Korea, were sent to the Central Identification Unit in Kokura, Japan, for attempted identification. The set of remains was designated “X-14266” and was transferred to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu and interred as a Korean War Unknown.
After a thorough historical and scientific analysis, it was determined that X-14266 could likely be identified. After receiving approval, X-14266 was disinterred on June 13, 2016, and sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis.
To identify Hackenberg’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental, anthropological and chest radiograph comparison analysis, which matched his records, as well as circumstantial evidence.
DPAA is grateful to the Department of Veterans Affairs for their partnership in this recovery.
Today, 7,718 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. Using modern technology, identifications continue to be made from remains that were previously returned by North Korean officials or recovered from North Korea by American recovery teams. Hackenberg’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
https://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpg00adminhttps://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpgadmin2025-04-01 22:27:312025-04-01 22:27:32Pfc. Walter C. Hackenberg
Funeral Announcement For Soldier Killed During World War II (Aiello, M.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, recently accounted-for from World War II, are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Army Staff Sgt. Michael Aiello, 35, of Springfield, Illinois, will be buried October 28 in his hometown. In September 1944, Aiello was a member of Company G, 401st Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR), which was attached to the 325th GIR for Operation Market Garden. American and German forces battled in a dense forest in the Netherlands, known as Kiekberg Woods. The battle, which lasted four days, was comprised of ferocious attacks and counterattacks by both sides and resulted in many American losses, including Aiello.
In January 1946, based on information provided by a resident of Plasmolen, Netherlands, members of the Quartermaster Graves Registration Company recovered three sets of remains in the Kiekberg Woods. Two of the sets of remains were individually identified as members of Company G, 401st GIR, but the third set was declared unidentifiable. The remains, designated “X-3367” Neuville, were interred in the United States Military Cemetery Neuville-en-Condroz (known today as Ardennes American Cemetery), Belgium, in April 1950.
Current historical research shows there are still 21 unaccounted-for U.S. servicemen who were lost within five miles of Kiekberg Woods. The American Graves Services have recovered the remains of 52 servicemen from the area, 46 of whom were members of either the 325th or 401st GIRs.
On May 31, 2016, “Unknown X-3367” was disinterred from the Ardennes American Cemetery and the remains were sent to the DPAA laboratory for identification.
To identify Aiello’s remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used Y-chromosome (Y-STR) DNA analysis, which matched his family; laboratory analysis, including dental and anthropological analysis, which matched Aiello’s records; and circumstantial evidence.
DPAA is grateful to the American Battle Monuments Commission for their partnership in this recovery.
Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war. Currently there are 72,980 service members (approximately 34,000 are assessed as possibly-recoverable) still unaccounted for from World War II. Aiello’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the other MIAs from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
https://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpg00adminhttps://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpgadmin2025-04-01 22:26:142025-04-01 22:26:15Staff Sgt. Michael Aiello
Funeral Announcement For Soldier Captured During The Korean War (Iyotte, P.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, recently accounted-for from the Korean War, are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Army Sgt. Philip J. Iyotte, 21, of White River, South Dakota, will be buried October 25 in his hometown. In February 1951, Iyotte was a member of Company E, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, assigned under 8th Army. Iyotte was declared missing in action on Feb. 9, 1951, when he was captured by Chinese forces during Operation Thunderbolt, which took place from January 25 to February 1. Operation Thunderbolt’s objective was to conduct a reconnaissance in force across the 8th Army front, to advance 30 miles to the south bank of the Han River. Sometime during the engagement, Iyotte was captured and moved to Camp 1 at Changsong.
Following the war, several returning American prisoners of war reported that Iyotte died sometime around Sept. 10, 1951 and was buried at the main camp.
Although the U.S. Army Graves Registration Service planned to recover American remains that remained north of the Korean Demilitarized Zone after the war, administrative details between the United Nations Command and North Korea complicated recovery efforts. An agreement was made and in September and October 1954, in what was known as Operation Glory, remains were returned. However, Iyotte’s remains were not included and he was declared non-recoverable. A set of remains marked as “Smith, Paul R.” and labeled Unknown X-14265 were processed for identification, but an association could not be made and they were returned to the United States for burial.
After a thorough historical and scientific analysis, DPAA requested the exhumation of 22 unresolved individuals, including Iyotte. Unknown X-14265 was disinterred from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, on May 8, 2017 and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
To identify Iyotte’s remains, scientists from DPAA used laboratory analysis, including dental, anthropological and chest radiograph comparison analysis, all which matched Iyotte’s records; as well as circumstantial evidence.
DPAA is grateful to the Department of Veterans Affairs for their partnership in this recovery.
Today, 7,718 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. Using modern technology, identifications continue to be made from remains that were previously returned by North Korean officials or recovered from North Korea by American recovery teams. Iyotte’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
https://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpg00adminhttps://pow-mia-kia.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/logo-300x200.jpgadmin2025-04-01 22:24:352025-04-01 22:24:36Sgt. Philip J. Iyotte
Cpl. Anthony G. Guerriero
Recently IdentifiedPress Release | Nov. 9, 2017
Funeral Announcement For Marine Killed During World War II (Guerriero, A.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, recently accounted-for from World War II, are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Marine Corps Cpl. Anthony G. Guerriero, 22, of Boston, will be buried November 14 in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, D.C. In November 1943, Guerriero was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, but the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Guerriero died on the second day of battle, Nov. 21, 1943.
Despite the heavy casualties suffered by U.S. forces, military success in the battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.
In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. The 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio between 1946 and 1947, but Guerriero’s remains were not identified. All of the remains found on Tarawa were sent to the Schofield Barracks Central Identification Laboratory for identification in 1947. By 1949, the remains that had not been identified were interred in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu.
In October 2016, DPAA disinterred Tarawa Unknown X-049 from the Punchbowl and sent the remains to the laboratory for analysis.
To identify Guerriero’s remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial (mtDNA) DNA analysis, which matched his family, dental and anthropological analysis, which matched his records; as well as circumstantial evidence.
DPAA is grateful to the Department of Veterans Affairs for their partnership in this mission.
Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war. Currently there are 72,977 service members (approximately 26,000 are assessed as possibly-recoverable) still unaccounted for from World War II. Guerriero’s name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the Punchbowl along with the other MIAs from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
Sgt. Gerald J. Mueller
Recently IdentifiedPress Release | Nov. 9, 2017
Funeral Announcement For Soldier Captured During The Korean War (Mueller, G.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, recently accounted-for from the Korean War, was returned to his family and buried with full military honors.
Army Sgt. Gerald J. Mueller, 20, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, buried November 8 in Fort Snelling, Minnesota. In February 1951, Mueller was a member of Battery D, 82nd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion (Automatic Weapons,) 2nd Infantry Division, which was part of a group known as Support Force 21 (SF21,) providing artillery support for the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) against the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces (CPVF.) On Feb. 11, 1941, while the ROKA was making an attack north toward Hongch’on, the CPVF launched a massive counter-offensive. Unable to withstand the numbers, the ROKA withdrew south, leaving Mueller’s battery and the rest of SF21 behind to fight cut off from other friendly units. The following day, SF21 began movement south, fighting through ambushes and roadblocks, eventually making it to Wonju. Mueller, who could not be accounted for, was declared missing in action as of Feb. 13, 1951.
A returning American prisoner of war reported that Mueller had been captured and marched to Suan Bean Camp. Reportedly, he was left behind when other prisoners were marched to Camp 1 in April 1951. A list provided by the CPVF and Korean People’s Army (KPA,) reported Mueller died while in their custody.
Between 1990 and 1994, North Korea returned 208 boxes of commingled human remains to the United States, which we determined to contain the remains of at least 400 U.S. servicemen who fought during the war. On In May 1992, they turned over remains from an area associated with the Suan Bean Camp.
To identify Mueller’s remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial (mtDNA) DNA analysis, which matched his family, as well as anthropological analysis, which matched his records, and circumstantial evidence.
Today, 7,716 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. Using modern technology, identifications continue to be made from remains that were previously returned by North Korean officials or recovered from North Korea by American recovery teams. Mueller’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
Cpl. Donald L. Baer
Recently IdentifiedPress Release | Nov. 8, 2017
Funeral Announcement For Soldier Missing From Korean War (Baer, D.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, recently accounted-for from the Korean War, are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Army Cpl. Donald L. Baer, 20, of Racine, Wisconsin, will be buried November 11 in his hometown. In July 1950, Baer was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, engaged in combat operations against forces of the North Korean Army in and around the city of Taejon (now Daejon), South Korea. On July 19, 1950, the North Koreans initiated a large-scale attack on the city in an attempt to destroy U.S. forces. Following the battle, Baer could not be accounted for and was declared missing in action as of July 20, 1950.
In June and July 1952, the 392nd Quartermaster Graves Registration Company (GRC) conducted searches of the area associated with the Division’s battles. The remains that were recovered from the battlefield were sent to the Central Identification Unit in Kokura, Japan for identification efforts. No remains were associated with Baer. Additionally, no repatriated American POWs reported that Baer had been captured with another prisoner of war. Based on the lack of information regarding his status, the U.S. Army declared him deceased on Dec. 31, 1953.
In February 1951, the 565th GRC recovered five sets of U.S. remains while conducting recovery efforts in the vicinity of Kujong-ni, South Korea. One set of remains was identified and the rest were designated as Unknowns, including “Unknown X-452.” In May 1955 it was determined the remains were “unidentifiable” and were transferred to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii, known as the “Punchbowl.”
After a thorough historical and scientific analysis of information associated with X-452, it was determined that the remains could likely be identified. After receipt of approval, the remains were disinterred from the Punchbowl on Aug. 14, 2017, and sent to DPAA for analysis.
To identify Baer’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental, anthropological and chest radiograph comparison analysis, which matched his records, as well as circumstantial evidence.
DPAA is grateful to the Department of Veterans Affairs for their partnership in this mission.
Today, 7,716 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. Using modern technology, identifications continue to be made from remains that were previously returned by North Korean officials or recovered from North Korea by American recovery teams. Baer’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
Technician Fourth Grade Pete M. Counter
Recently IdentifiedPress Release | Nov. 8, 2017
Funeral Announcement For Soldier Killed During World War II (Counter, P.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, recently accounted-for from World War II, are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Army Technician Fourth Grade Pete M. Counter, 24, of Detroit, will be buried November 11 in Onaway, Michigan. On Dec. 5, 1942, Counter was a member of Company C, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division, when he was killed during intense engagement with Japanese forces in the vicinity of Soputa-Sanananda Track in the Australian Territory of Papua (present-day Papua New Guinea.) He was reportedly buried in an isolated grave north of Soputa.
In February 1943, the remains of an unidentified American soldier, tentatively associated with the 32nd Infantry Division, were interred at the U.S. Temporary Cemetery #2 at Soputa. On April 6, 1943, the remains, designated “Unknown X-10” were reinterred at Temporary Cemetery #1 at Soputa, then interred at U.S. Armed Forces Finschhafen #2, and redesignated “Unknown X-171.”
In 1947, the American Graves Registration service exhumed approximately 11,000 graves, including X-171, which was redesignated to X-2693, and shipped the remains to the Central Identification Point at the Manila Mausoleum in the Philippines. X-2693 could not be identified and were interred at Fort McKinley (now the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.)
In November 2016, DPAA received authorization to reexamine the remains from the MACM. Unknown X-2693 was disinterred Nov. 4, 2016 and sent to the laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska for analysis.
To identify Counter’s remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial (mtDNA) analysis, which matched his family, as well as dental and anthropological analysis, which matched his records, and circumstantial evidence.
DPAA is grateful to the American Battle Monuments Commission for their assistance in this mission.
Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war. Currently there are 72,977 service members (approximately 26,000 are assessed as possibly-recoverable) still unaccounted for from World War II. Counter’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the other MIAs from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
Sgt. Richard G. Sowell
Recently IdentifiedPress Release | Nov. 8, 2017
Funeral Announcement For Soldier Killed During World War II (Sowell, R.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, recently accounted for from World War II, are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Army Sgt. Richard G. Sowell, 21, of West Palm Beach, Florida, will be buried November 10 in his hometown. In July 1944, Sowell was a member of 295th Joint Assault Signal Company, Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 106th Infantry, when American forces participated in the battle for the island Saipan, part of a larger operation to secure the Mariana Islands. Sowell, a spotter for the signal company, was last known to be in the vicinity of Hill 721 on the island of Saipan, which was under heavy attack by the Japanese on July 6-7, 1944. On the morning of July 7, the commanding officer of 106th Infantry reported that Sowell was killed in action.
In 1947 and 1948, the American Graves Registration Service Search and Recovery teams covered the island in search of missing Americans, though Sowell was not found. In June 1949, an ordnance officer with the U.S. Army Garrison Force on Saipan discovered remains in a foxhole, believed to be those of an American service member. The remains were transported to the Army-Navy mortuary on Saipan and were transferred to the Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii, where they were designated “Unknown X-29 Saipan. Due to insufficient evidence, the remains could not be identified and were interred in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.
After a thorough historical and scientific analysis, it was determined that X-29 could likely be identified. After receiving approval, on August 20, 2015, Unknown X-29 was disinterred and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
To identify Sowell’s remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used Y-chromosome (Y-STR) DNA, which matched his family members; as well as dental and anthropological analysis, which matched Sowell’s records; and historical evidence.
Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war. Currently there are 72,977 service members still unaccounted for from World War II (approximately 26,000 are assessed as possibly-recoverable). Sowell’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an ABMC site along with the other MIAs from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
Steward’s Mate 1st Class Cyril I. Dusset
Recently IdentifiedPress Release | Nov. 8, 2017
Funeral Announcement For USS Oklahoma Sailor Killed During World War (Dusset, C.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman from World War II have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Navy Steward’s Mate 1st Class Cyril I. Dusset, 21, of New Orleans, Louisiana, will be buried November 9 in Slidell, Louisiana On Dec. 7, 1941, Dusset was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Dusset.
From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu’uanu Cemeteries.
In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Dusset.
In April 2015, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a policy memorandum directing the disinterment of unknowns associated with the USS Oklahoma. On June 15, 2015, DPAA personnel began exhuming the remains from the NMCP for analysis.
To identify Dusset’s remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial (mtDNA) DNA analysis, which matched his family, as well as circumstantial evidence and laboratory analysis, to include dental comparisons.
DPAA is grateful to the Department of Veterans Affairs for their partnership in this recovery.
Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war. Currently there are 72,977 (approximately 26,000 are assessed as possibly-recoverable) still unaccounted for from World War II. Dusset’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
Pfc. Richard A. Lucas
Recently IdentifiedPress Release | Oct. 25, 2017
Funeral Announcement For Soldier Missing From Korean War (Lucas, R.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, recently accounted-for from the Korean War, are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Army Pfc. Richard A. Lucas, 17, of Monmouth, New Jersey, will be buried November 2 in Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, D.C. In late November 1950, Lucas was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, which was located in defensive positions in the area of the Chongchon River, northeast of Kujang, North Korea. The unit was tasked with engaging enemy forces in the area, then move north past the main line of resistance. On Nov. 25, 1950, enemy forces launched a large-scale attack against the regiment. Intense fighting isolated the battalion from the rest of the regiment. As the battalion accounted for its personnel, Lucas was reported missing in action as of Nov. 26, 1950, near Kunu-ri, North Korea.
During the war, Lucas was not listed on any Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces (CPVF) or [North] Korean People’s Army (KPA) Prisoners of War (POWs) lists. Additionally, no returning American prisoners in 1953 provided any information on the status of Lucas, outside of an unconfirmed report of a “Luccas” of the 9th Infantry Regiment, who died in March 1951. Based on that information, the U.S. Army declared him deceased as of Dec. 31, 1953. Later, another returned prisoner of war recalled a Richard Lucas who died en route to Pukchin-Tarigol.
In August and September 2002, a joint U.S. and KPA recovery team conducted a Joint Recovery Operation at a site in Unsan County, North Pyongan Province, North Korea, which was reported by a local national to be a temporary prison camp. Remains were recovered and accessioned to the DPAA laboratory on Sept. 27, 2002.
To identify Lucas’ remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial (mtDNA),Y-chromosome (Y-STR) and autosomal (au-STR) DNA analysis, which matched his family, as well as dental and anthropological analysis, which matched his records, and circumstantial evidence.
Today, 7,718 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. Using modern technology, identifications continue to be made from remains that were previously returned by North Korean officials or recovered from North Korea by American recovery teams. Lucas’ name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
Pfc. Walter C. Hackenberg
Recently IdentifiedPress Release | Oct. 24, 2017
Funeral Announcement For Soldier Captured During The Korean War (Hackenberg, W.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, recently accounted-for from the Korean War, are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Army Pfc. Walter C. Hackenberg, 22, of Snyder County, Pennsylvania, will be buried November 2 in the Middleburg, Pennsylvania. In late April 1951, Hackenberg was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, along a defensive line west of Chorw’on, South Korea, when his unit was attacked by the Chinese People’s Volunteer Force (CPVF) and Korean People’s Army (KPA.) American troops were able to hold the lines, and when the attacks subsided, a patrol went to determine possible enemy river-crossing points. Enemy forces engaged the patrol with mortars and small arms fire, forcing the patrol to withdraw. Hackenberg could not be accounted for at the end of the battle, and he was declared missing in action as of April 25, 1951.
Following the war, several returning American prisoners of war reported that Hackenberg had been captured by the CPVF and died in the summer of 1951 while being held at a prisoner of war camp. Based on this information, the U.S. Army declared him deceased as of Sept. 9, 1951.
In 1954, United Nations and communist forces exchanged the remains of war dead in what came to be called “Operation Glory.” All remains recovered in Operation Glory were turned over to the Army’s Central Identification Unit for analysis.
On Sept. 7, 1954, a set of remains reportedly recovered from a prisoner of war cemetery at Camp 1 and 3, Changsong, North Korea, were sent to the Central Identification Unit in Kokura, Japan, for attempted identification. The set of remains was designated “X-14266” and was transferred to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu and interred as a Korean War Unknown.
After a thorough historical and scientific analysis, it was determined that X-14266 could likely be identified. After receiving approval, X-14266 was disinterred on June 13, 2016, and sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis.
To identify Hackenberg’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental, anthropological and chest radiograph comparison analysis, which matched his records, as well as circumstantial evidence.
DPAA is grateful to the Department of Veterans Affairs for their partnership in this recovery.
Today, 7,718 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. Using modern technology, identifications continue to be made from remains that were previously returned by North Korean officials or recovered from North Korea by American recovery teams. Hackenberg’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
Staff Sgt. Michael Aiello
Recently IdentifiedPress Release | Oct. 20, 2017
Funeral Announcement For Soldier Killed During World War II (Aiello, M.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, recently accounted-for from World War II, are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Army Staff Sgt. Michael Aiello, 35, of Springfield, Illinois, will be buried October 28 in his hometown. In September 1944, Aiello was a member of Company G, 401st Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR), which was attached to the 325th GIR for Operation Market Garden. American and German forces battled in a dense forest in the Netherlands, known as Kiekberg Woods. The battle, which lasted four days, was comprised of ferocious attacks and counterattacks by both sides and resulted in many American losses, including Aiello.
In January 1946, based on information provided by a resident of Plasmolen, Netherlands, members of the Quartermaster Graves Registration Company recovered three sets of remains in the Kiekberg Woods. Two of the sets of remains were individually identified as members of Company G, 401st GIR, but the third set was declared unidentifiable. The remains, designated “X-3367” Neuville, were interred in the United States Military Cemetery Neuville-en-Condroz (known today as Ardennes American Cemetery), Belgium, in April 1950.
Current historical research shows there are still 21 unaccounted-for U.S. servicemen who were lost within five miles of Kiekberg Woods. The American Graves Services have recovered the remains of 52 servicemen from the area, 46 of whom were members of either the 325th or 401st GIRs.
On May 31, 2016, “Unknown X-3367” was disinterred from the Ardennes American Cemetery and the remains were sent to the DPAA laboratory for identification.
To identify Aiello’s remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used Y-chromosome (Y-STR) DNA analysis, which matched his family; laboratory analysis, including dental and anthropological analysis, which matched Aiello’s records; and circumstantial evidence.
DPAA is grateful to the American Battle Monuments Commission for their partnership in this recovery.
Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war. Currently there are 72,980 service members (approximately 34,000 are assessed as possibly-recoverable) still unaccounted for from World War II. Aiello’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the other MIAs from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.
Sgt. Philip J. Iyotte
Recently IdentifiedPress Release | Oct. 19, 2017
Funeral Announcement For Soldier Captured During The Korean War (Iyotte, P.)
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, recently accounted-for from the Korean War, are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
Army Sgt. Philip J. Iyotte, 21, of White River, South Dakota, will be buried October 25 in his hometown. In February 1951, Iyotte was a member of Company E, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, assigned under 8th Army. Iyotte was declared missing in action on Feb. 9, 1951, when he was captured by Chinese forces during Operation Thunderbolt, which took place from January 25 to February 1. Operation Thunderbolt’s objective was to conduct a reconnaissance in force across the 8th Army front, to advance 30 miles to the south bank of the Han River. Sometime during the engagement, Iyotte was captured and moved to Camp 1 at Changsong.
Following the war, several returning American prisoners of war reported that Iyotte died sometime around Sept. 10, 1951 and was buried at the main camp.
Although the U.S. Army Graves Registration Service planned to recover American remains that remained north of the Korean Demilitarized Zone after the war, administrative details between the United Nations Command and North Korea complicated recovery efforts. An agreement was made and in September and October 1954, in what was known as Operation Glory, remains were returned. However, Iyotte’s remains were not included and he was declared non-recoverable. A set of remains marked as “Smith, Paul R.” and labeled Unknown X-14265 were processed for identification, but an association could not be made and they were returned to the United States for burial.
After a thorough historical and scientific analysis, DPAA requested the exhumation of 22 unresolved individuals, including Iyotte. Unknown X-14265 was disinterred from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, on May 8, 2017 and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
To identify Iyotte’s remains, scientists from DPAA used laboratory analysis, including dental, anthropological and chest radiograph comparison analysis, all which matched Iyotte’s records; as well as circumstantial evidence.
DPAA is grateful to the Department of Veterans Affairs for their partnership in this recovery.
Today, 7,718 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. Using modern technology, identifications continue to be made from remains that were previously returned by North Korean officials or recovered from North Korea by American recovery teams. Iyotte’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at an American Battle Monuments Commission site along with the others who are missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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.