Identifying Our Missing: November 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 November 2018 DPAA accounted for nine service members who lost their lives in World War II. ABMC will add a rosette next to each of the following names:
World War II
Pvt. Floyd A. Fulmer, Company A, 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division
Tablets of the Missing: Netherlands American Cemetery
Pfc. Nicholas J. Gojmerac, Company Q, 4th Raider Battalion, 1st Marine Raider Regiment
Walls of the Missing: Manila American Cemetery
Fireman 3rd Class Willard I. Lawson, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Aviation Machinist’s Mate 1st Class John O. Morris, Carrier Aircraft Service Unit (CASU) 17
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Seaman 1st Class Kenneth H. Sampson, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Seaman 1st Class Kirby R. Stapleton, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Ulis C. Steely, USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Ensign Charles M. Stern, Jr., USS Oklahoma
Courts of the Missing: Honolulu Memorial
Pvt. Harry W. Wilder, Company B, 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division
Tablets of the Missing: Netherlands American Cemetery
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.