Identifying Our Missing: August 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 more than 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 August 2018 DPAA accounted for 29 service members who lost their lives in World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War. ABMC will add a rosette next to each of the following names:
World War II
Pfc. Fred W. Ashley, Troop C, 2nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Group
Tablets of the Missing: Epinal American Cemetery
Seaman 2nd Class Wilbur C. Barrett, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Pharmacist’s Mate 3rd Class William H. Blancheri, HQ Company, 2md Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force
Walls of the Missing: Manila American Cemetery
Pvt. William A. Boegli, Company L, 332nd Infantry Regiment, 81st Infantry Division
Walls of the Missing: Manila American Cemetery
Pfc. Alva J. Cremean, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Fireman 2nd Class Carl D. Dorr, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Eugene K. Eberhardt, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Aviation Chief Ordnanceman Otis E. Ingram, U.S. Navy Torpedo Squadron Fifty One (VT-51)
Walls of the Missing: Manila American Cemetery
Seaman 1st Class Wesley V. Jordan, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Fireman 1st Class Albert U. Kane, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Seaman 2nd Class Myron K. Lehman, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Fireman 1st Class Bert E. McKeeman, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Seaman 1st Class Hale McKissack, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Archie T. Miles, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
SSgt. Richard J. Murphy, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Sgt. Millard Odom, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Capt. Lester A. Schade, Company I, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment
Walls of the Missing: Manila American Cemetery
Fire Controlman 1st Class Edward J. Shelden, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Radioman 3rd Class Dante S. Tini, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Seaman 1st Class Richard L. Watson, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Pfc. Morris R. Worrell, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment
Walls of the Missing: Manila American Cemetery
Korean War
Pfc. Mathis O. Ball, Jr., Company M, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Pfc. Leo J. Duquette, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
1st Lt. Herman L. Falk, Company B, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Pfc. George L. Spangenberg, Company E, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Pfc. John A. Taylor, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Pfc. Kenneth B. Williams, Heavy Mortar Company, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Vietnam War
Col. Richard A. Kibbey, Detachment 5, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Cmdr. James B. Mills, Fighter Squadron Twenty One, USS Coral Sea
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 29 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.