Another Two Are Known
DPAA’s “Recently Accounted For” webpage indicates that the following formerly-missing US personnel have been accounted for.
From World War II
F1C Charles R. Casto, US Navy, assigned to the crew of the USS Oklahoma, was lost at Pearl Harbor, HI, on 7 December 1941. His family was notified of his accounting on 7 March 2022. (see note)
1st Lt Newell F. Mills, Jr., US Army, assigned to the 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, US Army Air Forces, was lost in Germany on 7 April 1944. His family was notified of his accounting on 7 March 2022.
From Korea
None
From Southeast Asia
None
Welcome back, elder brothers-in-arms. Our apologies that your return took so long.
Rest easy. You’re home now.
. . .
Over 72,000 US personnel remain unaccounted for from World War II; over 7,500 US personnel remain unaccounted for from the Korean War; and over 1,500 remain unaccounted for in Southeast Asia (SEA). Additionally, 126 US personnel remain unaccounted for from the Cold War; 5 remain unaccounted for from the Gulf Wars; and 1 individual remains unaccounted for from Operation Eldorado Canyon.
Comparison of DNA from recovered remains against DNA from some (but not all) blood relatives can assist in making a positive ID for unidentified remains that have already been recovered. The same is true for remains which may be recovered in the future.
On their web site’s Contact Us page DPAA now has FAQs. The answer to one of those FAQs describes who can and cannot submit DNA samples useful in identifying recovered remains. The chart giving the answer can be viewed here. The text associated with the chart is short and is found in one of the FAQs.
If your family lost someone in one of these conflicts who has not yet been accounted for and you qualify to submit a DNA sample, please arrange to submit one. By doing that you just might help identify the remains of a US service member who’s been repatriated but not yet been identified – as well as a relative of yours, however distant. Or you may help to identify remains to be recovered in the future.
Everybody deserves a proper burial. That’s especially true for those who gave their all while serving this nation.
—–
Author’s Note: F1c Casto was apparently identified and accounted for in March 2017. However, for whatever reason his family does not seem to have been formally notified of his accounting until 7 March 2022. A search of this site (TAH) using Google and his last name also indicates that F1c Casto does not appear to have been featured in a previous “No Longer Missing” article here at TAH.
I do not believe F1c Casto has previously appeared on DPAA’s “Recently Accounted For” listing, but DPAA’s recent change in format to that list makes that impossible for me to determine that with certainty.
Category: No Longer Missing
*Slow Salute*
Welcome Home Warriors. A Salute to your Service and Honors Paid to your Sacrifice.
Thanks Hondo.
Welcome home.
Thanks again, Hondo.
Now, the rest of the story:
F1C Charles R. Casto:Born in East Liverpool (Columbiana County) Ohio on 19 February, 1921.
He was the son of David Galice Casto and Mary Alice Eddy.
His mother had died in 1933 when Charles was twelve years old.
There were four boys in their family and they all served during the war.
Charles enlisted in the US Navy in 1939 served aboard the USS Oklahoma (BB-37). He was aboard the ship at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, when it came under attack by Japanese aircraft, and was one of the men killed when it capsized after being torpedoed.
Two Casto brothers were killed that day.
Fireman first class Charles Ray Casto and Fireman second class Richard Eugene Casto were serving aboard the USS Oklahoma (BB-37). Within eleven minutes of being struck by several Japanese torpedoes, the ship “turned turtle” and rolled over with men still trapped inside.
Rescue crews worked feverishly for almost two days to free the men trapped inside, who were banging on the sides of the hull. Thirty-two men made it out, 429 crew members perished.
When the attack ended shortly before 10:00 a.m., less than two hours after it began, the American forces had paid a fearful price. Twenty-one ships of the U.S. Pacific Fleet were sunk or damaged, 188 aircraft were destroyed and another 159 damaged, and 2,403 American lives were lost, with another 1,178 persons injured.
COMMENDATIONS
★ Purple Heart
★ Combat Action Ribbon
★ World War II Victory Medal
★ American Campaign Medal
★ Navy Presidential Unit Citation
★ Navy Good Conduct Medal
★ Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
★ Navy Expeditionary Medal
1st Lt Newell F. Mills, Jr.
He was born on 1 May, 1923 in Pinellas County Florida.
He was attached as a pilot to the 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group, U.S. Army Air Corps and flew a P-51D Mustang single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber.
He was shot down on a mission near Schwarmstedt/Bremen, Germany on 7 April 1945.
COMMENDATIONS
★ World War II Victory Medal
★ Distinguished Flying Cross
★ Air Medal
★ Purple Heart
★ United States Aviator Badge Army
★ American Campaign Medal
★ Army Presidential Unit Citation
★ Army Good Conduct Medal
★ European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign
Thank you, SKYJUMPER, for bringing us “…the rest of the story.” on these Heroes. It is muchly appreciated. Have a ration of Wisconsin Cheese infused catheads, stuffed with Conecuh Smoked Snaursages, with a side of cheesy grits and eggs. My tab. Here, let me top off that coffee cup for ya!
David sends.
Remains of 19-year-old U.S. airman killed during WWII identified
Stephen Smith
Officials say they have identified the remains of a 19-year-old U.S. Army airman who was killed during World War II. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced Friday that U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Richard G. Salsbury of Canaan, Maine, was accounted for in September 2021.
Link
Thanks AW1Ed & David.
I had also read about this individual this week, but it slipped mind to post about him.
Staff Sgt. Richard G. Salsbury
Salsbury ( of Canaan, Maine) enlisted in the military in January 1942, just a day after his 18th birthday, according to a news clipping.
In the summer of 1943, Salsbury was assigned to the 345th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force.
On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Salsbury was serving as a waist gunner crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania
He was 19 years old.
Awards
The crew that Salsbury served with when he was a waist gunner on the B-24 Liberator bomber that was shot down.
Finally got to my destination for today, so I saw this and thought I’d comment on the matter.
SSG Salsbury was previously featured in a “No Longer Missing” article here at TAH on 3 October 2021.
https://valorguardians.com/blog/?p=118059
DPAA’s press releases and “Recently Accounted For” page are not always in sync. On occasion, an individual will appear in one and only later appear in the other.
Welcome home Brothers. Rest in peace now.
Welcome Home.
Rest Well, Dear Warriors.
Thanks all for the data and back stories.
A grateful nation never forgets
Welcome home, brothers.
Welcome home, men.
Rest well.