Four More Accounted For
Defense MIA/POW Accounting Agency
Pilot Accounted for from Vietnam
U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Ralph J. Chipman
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Ralph J. Chipman, killed during Vietnam was accounted for Aug. 2, 2023.
In the winter of 1972, Chipman was assigned to Marine All-Weather Attack Squadron 533, Marine Attack Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On Dec. 27, Chipman was piloting an A-6A Intruder, along with his co-pilot, during a nighttime combat mission over the northern part of the Democratic Republic of (North) Vietnam. After entering the target area, Chipman’s aircraft ceased radio communications and never returned to base. Search and rescue teams could not locate any trace of the aircraft or the crew in the Le Thuy District, Quang Binh Province. In July, 1974, the Marine Corps reported Capt. Chipman as Killed in Action.
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 or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or https://www.linkedin.com/company/defense-pow-mia-accounting-agency.
Chipman’s personnel profile can be viewed at https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000BTZDEA4.
Soldier Accounted For From Korean War
Army Cpl. Francis James Jury
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that Army Cpl. Francis James Jury, 23, of Clearfield, Pennsylvania, killed during the Korean War, was accounted for Feb. 10, 2022.
In late 1950, Cpl. Jury was a member of Heavy Mortar Company, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950, during battle with enemy forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Following the battle, his remains could not be recovered, and there is no evidence that he was ever a prisoner of war.
On July 27, 2018, following the summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un in June 2018, North Korea turned over 55 boxes, purported to contain the remains of American service members killed during the Korean War. The remains arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii on Aug. 1, 2018, and were subsequently accessioned into the DPAA laboratory for identification.
To identify Cpl. Jury’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR) analysis.
Cpl. Jury’s name is recorded on the American Battle Monuments Commission’s Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, along with the others who are still missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted-for.
Cpl. Jury will be buried at Annville, Pennsylvania, on a date to be determined.
For family and funeral information, contact the Army Casualty Office at (800) 892-2490.
To see the most up-to-date statistics on DPAA recovery efforts for those unaccounted-for from the Korean War, go to the Korean War fact sheet on the DPAA website at: https://www.dpaa.mil/Resources/Fact-Sheets/Article-View/Article/569610/progress-on-korean-war-personnel-accounting/
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, or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or https://www.linkedin.com/company/defense-pow-mia-accounting-agency.
Cpl. Jury’s personnel profile can be viewed at https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt000000b8cs5EAA.
Airman Accounted for from World War II
U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Alfred W. Pezzella
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Alfred W. Pezzella, 27, of Newton, Massachusetts, killed during World War II, was accounted for April 6, 2023.
In the summer of 1943, Pezzella was assigned to 328th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator bomber on which Pezzella was serving as the bombardier was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and crashed during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war. The remains that could not be identified were buried as Unknowns in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania.
Following the war, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC), the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel, disinterred all American remains from the Bolovan Cemetery for identification. The AGRC was unable to identify more than 80 unknowns from Bolovan Cemetery, and those remains were permanently interred at Ardennes American Cemetery and Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, both in Belgium.
In 2017, DPAA began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE losses. These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory for examination and identification.
To identify Pezzella’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.
Pezzella’s name is recorded on the on the Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Impruneta, Italy, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Pezzella will be buried in Bourne, Massachusetts, on a date to be determined.
For family and funeral information, contact the Army Casualty Office at (800) 892-2490.
DPAA is grateful to the American Battle Monuments Commission and to the U.S. Army Regional Mortuary-Europe/Africa for their partnership in this mission.
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 or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or https://www.linkedin.com/company/defense-pow-mia-accounting-agency.
Pezzella’s personnel profile can be viewed at https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000Xe8ZEAS.
Airman Accounted for from World War II
Army Air Forces Sgt. Willard S. Kendall
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that Army Air Forces Sgt. Willard S. Kendall, 23, of Chicago, Illinois, killed during World War II, was accounted for April 13, 2023.
In February 1944, Kendall was assigned to the 32d Bombardment Squadron, 301st Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force. On Feb. 25 Kendall was a tail gunner on the B-17G Flying Fortress that was struck by anti-aircraft fire after a bombing raid on the Prufening aircraft factory in Regensburg, Germany.
Eight of the nine crewmembers bailed successfully before the plane exploded and crashed northwest of Krakaudorf, Austria. During the fighter attack, Kendall called over the interphone about five minutes before the bail-out order was given reporting that he had been hit. Before bailing out of the aircraft multiple crewmen saw Kendall had died at his tail gunner position and agreed he went down with the plane.
Following the end of the war, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC) was tasked with investigating and recovering missing American personnel in Europe. In July 1946, the 347th Quartermaster Battalion visited Krakaudorf, Austria after a local priest reported an American flier was buried in Grave 93 at the Krakaudorf Cemetery. The AGRC could not identify the remains, they were designated X-6853 St. Avold and transferred to the U.S. Military Cemetery at St. Avold, France in August 1946. Kendall was declared non-recoverable Sept. 22, 1950.
In the September 2017, the DPAA, sent an investigation team to Krakaudorf, after reviewing church records and eyewitness statements there was sufficient evidence to link Unknown X-6853 to Sgt. Kendall. In June 2019, X-6853 was disinterred from the Rhône American Cemetery and sent to the DPAA Laboratory for forensic analysis.
To identify Kendall’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.
Kendall’s name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Firenze, Italy, along with the others still missing from World War II. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Kendall will be buried in Forest Park, Illinois, on a date to be determined.
Category: No Longer Missing
Capt Ralph Jim “Steeley” Chipman:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/61996435/ralph-jim-chipman
“Remains Of Utah Marine Identified 50 Years After He Went Missing In Vietnam”
https://www.ksl.com/article/50711351/remains-of-utah-marine-identified-50-years-after-he-went-missing-in-vietnam
“It hasn’t sunk in completely, but it’s amazing.”
“That’s what Scot Chipman said about finding out his father, U.S. Marine Capt. Ralph Jim Chipman, known as Jim Chipman to friends and family, had been accounted for — more than 50 years after he went missing in the Vietnam War.”
“Scot Chipman said it “eased their minds” for the family to know their dad died in the crash and was never a prisoner of war.”
“It hasn’t sunk in completely, but it’s amazing,” Scot Chipman said. In an Aug. 7 Facebook post, he added, “After 50 years the day our family has been waiting for has finally come!”
“The Chipman family celebrates Christmas in 1971, from left: Scot, Jim, Matthew and Susan. U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Jim Chipman, of American Fork, has finally been accounted for after going missing in the Vietnam War 50 years ago.”
Rest In Peace, Sir.
Salute.
Never Forget.
Bring Them All Home.
CPL Francis James Jury was buried on 6 September 2023 at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery Annville:
“Korean War Vet’s Remains To Be Interred At Indian Gap”
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2023/09/korean-war-vets-remains-to-be-interred-at-indian-gap/
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/257644691/francis-james-jury
“Jury was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ashley W. Jury of LeContes Mills. He was the youngest of three sons, and his brothers Bennie and Vinnie were both World War II veterans. Bennie Jury was held as a prison of war by the Germans for 15 months.”
“According to reports, Jury entered the U.S. Army on May 22, 1948 at DuBois and took his initial training at Fort Knox, Ky. He also served in the 17th Infantry Regiment at Sendia, Japan.”
Rest In Peace, Sir.
Salute.
Never Forget.
Bring Them All Home.
1LT Alfred William Pezzella.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/257886729/alfred-william-pezzella
“Son of Cecilia Pezzella, Widow”
“Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters”
1Lt Pezzella, in bomber jacket, with friends in Libya. Abt 1942.
Rest In Peace, Sir.
Salute.
Never Forget.
Bring Them All Home.
Sgt. Willard Surr Kendall
March 5, 1920 — February 25, 1944
He was buried on 16 September 2023 at the Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park, IL:
https://www.kuratkonosek.com/obituaries/sgt-willard-kendall
“Sgt. Willard Surr Kendall, United States Army Air Force, 301st Bomber Group, Heavy, 32nd Bomber Squadron. Born March 5th, 1920. Killed in Action on February 25th, 1944. He was married to Dorothy M. Kendall and they had one son, Wayne L. Kendall, born August 21st, 1941.”
“Willard was the 11th of 13 children born to Bertram and Bertha Kendall.”
“He will be interred with his mother and father in the same plot at Forest Home Cemetery. Also buried in the same plot are sisters Mabel and Mary Kendall, his brother Elmer Kendall and Elmer’s son, Willard S. Kendall. Also buried in an adjoining plot are a brother George Kendall and George’s wife, Louise.”
“During Willard’s service in World War II, he was the recipient of a number of Air Corp Oak Leaf Combat Awards and the Purple Heart Medal.”
“In addition to serving his country in WWII, Willard served in the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1937 where he was involved in the building of trails in what is now known as Grand Teton National Park.”
You can find his Family Members here:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56364581/willard-surr-kendall
Rest In Peace, Sir.
Salute.
Never Forget.
Bring Them All Home.
Welcome Home, Gentlemen. Our apologies that it took so long. Four (4) more accounted for, only 70K + more to account for. Account for them all! Every Fallen Service Member deserves, at the very least, a Marked Resting Place. A Salute to your Service and Honors Paid for your Sacrifice.
Dave, you have our Heartfelt Thanks for bringing us the story of these Men and another Thanks to our very own (we have THE Best) ninja (gabn/gabaf/rtr/hbtd) for the “…Rest of the story.” We will say their names…we will be their witness.
Thank You, KoB!
The 1971 Christmas picture of CPT Chipman with his wife and two children brought tears to our eyes…😓
After 50 years, so happy his Family are finally getting closure.
gabn/gabaf/hbtd/rtr
You’re Welcome, ninja. Words really can’t express my appreciation to you and Dave for bringing back this Thread that Hondo did for so many years. I have had a special place for those that were MIA or marked “Unknown but to God” for most of my life.
Got a bit dusty in here while reading the story and seeing the picture of CPT Chipman. “There but for the Grace of God….” When I reported in 2 weeks early for assignment to VN on 19 Dec ’71, that picture was being taken. For whatever reason (Mama gave the credit to her prayer group that met the night after she put me on the plane heading to Fort Jackson for further transport) Nixon decided that no one would be sent in over the Christmas break. Our flight was diverted to the ETO where I ended up in the 5th/77th FA, a Sergeant Missile Unit, that had absolutely no use for a 13 series Gun Bunny. Becoming the poggiest REMF of a dog robbing gofor, working directly for the 1SG and the Battery Commander wasn’t bad duty at all. The advice from a DS @ Ft Sill to report early, missing Christmas of ’71 instead of C’mas of ’72 was the best move I ever made. I often wonder what happened to the guys I trained with that waited until 2 Jan 72 to report. I do know of a few that did get sent to VN.
At least when I lost my father at age 10 to an accident, I knew he was gone and where he was buried. Those young lads, and that beautiful Mother/wife never knew for sure until 50 years later. Heartbreaking, indeed.
I purposely chose the name of our SCV Historical Honor Society to Honor those stones that are so marked. The Camp of The Unknown Soldier.
Welcome home Brothers. Rest in peace now.
Welcome Home.
RIP. “Well done, thou good and faithful servants.”
Welcome home all.
The raid on Ploiesti, Romania was a meat grinder mostly because the B-24D was a high altitude bomber flying a low level minimum altitude mission.
My dad was with the 376th Heavy Bombardment Group “Liberandos”, 9th Air Force, flying out of Benghazi, Libya.
From his squadron book:
The 376th was one of five bomber groups (totaling 140 B-24’s) that took part in the mission, code named “Soapsuds”, later changed to “Operation Tidal Wave”.
Approaching Ploesti, 10 bombers experienced engine problems and departed the formation. In the short span of forty minutes of intense combat, thirty eight B-24s were downed by flak and fighters in the target area. Fighters from Bulgaria and Greece harassed returning aircraft. Seven aircraft landed in Turkey and the crews were interred. Twenty-three of the returning aircraft were unable to reach their Benghazi bases.
Much as I respect those aviators, statistically, some of those engine problem turn-backs were really engine problems, and a couple were “engine problems.” And I’m not judging someone who couldn’t face the flak *this time* on missions, any one of which probably equal more than what I saw in three Iraqs.
Welcome home, brothers. Rest in Peace.