Robert Eugene Oxford comes home
The Associated Press tells us that Robert Eugene Oxford is coming home after his plane, dubbed “Hot as Hell” went down during a resupply mission over India 74 years ago;
All signs of the mission were lost until 2006, when a hiker in northeast India spotted a wing and panel sign with the plane’s name inscribed — “Hot as Hell.” It wasn’t until 2015 that the U.S. Defense Department investigated the crash site and found the remains of 1st Lt. Robert Eugene Oxford.
On Thursday, Oxford will finally be returned home and then laid to rest this weekend with full military honors in his tiny hometown of Concord, Georgia. Photos of his seven fellow crewmen, none of whom was ever found, will lay beside the coffin and then be placed inside it for burial.
“We were ecstatic that Eugene was found, but we feel guilty there are seven other men on that mountain top,” said Merrill Roan, the wife of Oxford’s nephew. “So we are honoring the other seven. … We have to honor them as well, because they may never get any closure.”
Oxford’s plane departed Kumming, China, on Jan. 25, 1944, said Staff Sgt. Kristen Duus at the Defense Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Agency. Oxford was declared dead two years later.
He will return to his home in Georgia with a State Police escort and a memorial service is planned in the local school gymnasium. His final rest will be in the plot with his parents, Charles and Bessie.
Category: We Remember
Posting these stories may just be the best thing that you do, Jonn. They are always difficult to read, but also give us the opportunity to pause, reflect, and honor our brothers who preceded us.
Thank you.
May the Angels of His Mercy bring solace to all his family and friends, and may his memory be a blessing.
There is a Gold Star mother in our church who lost her son in Vietnam. I’ve only known her about 25 years, but I’ve seen the pain of her loss countless times.
A few years ago her son came home. She has greater peace now than ever I’ve seen her show.
The efforts to return our lost service men and women home is not an empty gesture or meaningless work.
Yes.
Very much so – well said.
“The efforts to return our lost service men and women home is not an empty gesture or meaningless work.”
I can’t imagine there is more rewardsing, meaningful work within the military.
Welcome home, Sir. You were gone but never forgotten.
Flying the Hump was possibly the most dangerous job available.
Catch the wind, Mr. Oxford.
1st Lt. Oxford was accounted for by DPAA on 6 March of this year; that fact was announced here at TAH on 12 March.
Why it took the AP 3 months to produce this story is a damn good question.
Probably simply because his remains will be buried this week. Let us hope that is all there is to it.
Dunno, but it might be better for the families to delay the public spectacle until burial arrangements can be made and the remains actually received stateside instead of when the identification is made.
Possibly. But you think they might run a story or two sooner, annoncing the fact of the recovery and ID and saying that “funeral arrangements are pending at this time”, followed by a more in-depth story later.
At least they get a generally timely announcement of recovery and ID here.
We all know that you guys are MUCH better reporters than the clowns who are “professionals.” They can’t be bothered with such trivia as determining truth or verifying anything.
What you do keeping up with the recovery stories is very much appreciated, Hondo.
Sadly, we are part of a rather small tribe of folks for which such a story has heart-felt meaning.
-Becasue- we are of the tribe, we see a great many things differently, more clearly in many ways.
They are too busy with stories about how Trump’s bailing on the Paris agreement will hasten the rising sea levels thereby endangering his Florida properties. I shit you not!
Jonn and Hondo – thanks for posting these stories of long lost ones finally coming home to rest and giving their families the closure that they need.
Here’s hoping that many more are allowed to be reunited with their lost ones soon.
Welcome home Robert Eugene Oxford. Rest on peace in your home soil now.
Amen.
More info:
https://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-24/42-73308.html
Rest well, Sir.
Welcome Home Sir
Rest Well
Salute…