Another Two Are Accounted For
DPAA has identified and accounted for the following formerly-missing US personnel.
From World War II
St2c Felicismo Florese, US Navy, assigned to the crew of the USS Oklahoma, was lost at Pearl Harbor, HI, on 7 December 1941. He was accounted for on 20 December 2018.
From Korea
PFC James C. Williams, US Army, assigned to Medical Company, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, was lost in South Korea on 12 July 1950. He was accounted for on 2 January 2019.
From Southeast Asia
None
Welcome back, elder brothers-in-arms. Our apologies that your return took so long.
You’re home now. Rest easy.
. . .
Over 72,000 US personnel remain unaccounted for from World War II; over 7,600 US personnel remain unaccounted for from the Korean War; over 1,500 remain unaccounted for in Southeast Asia (SEA); 126 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, or 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 can be viewed in DPAA’s FAQs.
If your family lost someone in one of these conflicts 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.
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Author’s Note: St2c Florese was accounted for by DPAA on 20 December 2018. However, that fact apparently was not posted to their website’s “Recently Accounted For” listing prior to the end of the year.
Category: No Longer Missing
Welcome home.
War has a way of interfering with civil customs and traditions. For instance, many of the people of Nabua, a city in Camarines Sur, Philippines, say a novena when someone dies. That’s nine consecutive days of prayer and, usually, Mass attendance. The mourning period last for 40 days and ends with a celebration of sorts, in which all who mourned join with the family of the decent for feast and prayer. But what if the departed loved one is in the US Navy and his fate is first unknown and, later, it is learned that he was killed but his mortal remains are not accounted for? I do not know, but that was the fate of Steward Felicismo Florese. Given the situation that existed in 1941 and thereafter during the war, I cannot help but wonder when they were ever to learn what happened to Felicismo. But someone did not give up on him. I found a message board entry mentioning him and a brother, Nicolas. My hope is that that 2011 message poster’s search ended with the DPAA and that its end brought comfort.
Thank you again, Hondo.
“There but for the grace of God, go I.”
Rest In Peace, Warriors
“Multiple eye witnesses stated that shortly after Williams had been sent to collect wounded Soldiers with a litter jeep, he was killed while trying to transport patients from the Taejon Air Strip. Fellow Soldiers returned Williams’ remains to the collection point, however after his death, the 34th Infantry Regiment’s Medical Company was ordered to withdraw, and his remains were left behind.” DPAA Statement
James C. Williams’ lot was to be among the first in the fight in Korea, as part of the debacle known as Task Force Smith and the infamous Battle of Taejon.
James was killed the month after he turned 20. He was from East Alton, Illinois, the son of Ward and Mary. Welcome home.
Killed while trying to care for his brother warriors. “..no greater love..” From East Alton, Illinois. Right there near the Cahokia Mounds and the POW Camp and Cemetery. I have visited both, he probably roamed that same ground at some point.
Welcome Home St2c Felicismo Florese USN and PFC James C. Williams, We are humbled by your sacrifice…..Hand Salute
Thanks, again, Hondo for these posts. And Thanks, again, to 2/17 Air Cav for the “rest of the story.” I did not know of the Philippine custom.
Thanks for reading the accounts. They are never gone who are remembered. It is something truly special, I believe, that those who lost their lives in service to our nation are recalled here and elsewhere. Unlike a civilian’s passing to illness, accident, or some other malady or event, a service member’s loss of life in service is something we all share, or should share. We understand it probably better than most and share in the grief, no matter when the loss occurred. We do not forget.
Amen, Sir.
Welcome Home.
Welcome home Brothers. Rest in peace in your home soil.
Welcome home, men.
Rest well.
Welcome home. And thanks for keeping up with these repatriations.
Thanks, DPAA. You have helped keep the faith with departed and given their families a sense of peace.