Another Six Are Home

| September 8, 2019

DPAA has identified and accounted for the following formerly-missing US personnel.

From World War II

2nd Lt. John F. McTigue, US Army, assigned to 407th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy,) 92nd Bombardment Group (Heavy,) 40th Combat Bombardment Wing, 1st Air Division, 8th Air Force, US Army Air Forces, was lost in Germany on 24 August 1944. He was accounted for on 5 September 2019.

SSgt. Willard R. Best, US Army, assigned to 407th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy,) 92nd Bombardment Group (Heavy,) 40th Combat Bombardment Wing, 1st Air Division, 8th Air Force, US Army Air Forces, was lost in Germany on 24 August 1944. He was accounted for on 5 September 2019.

From Korea

CPL Gerald N. Wilson, US Army, assigned to F Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Calvary Division, was lost in South Korea on 25 July 1950. He was accounted for on 2 September 2019. (see note)

PFC Harold K. Knight, US Army, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 31st Regimental Combat Team, was lost in North Korea on 25 November 1950. He was accounted for on 4 September 2019.

1LT Robert C. Styslinger, US Army, assigned to B Battery, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, was lost in North Korea on 29 November 1950. He was accounted for on 30 August 2019.

SGT Donald L. Murphy, US Army, assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, was lost in North Korea on 2 December 1950. He was accounted for on 4 September 2019.

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 7,600 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. 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 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: The designation of company-sized Cavalry elements as “Troops” has not been consistent over the US Army’s history. Per this online history of the 5th Cavalry Regiment complied by the 1st Cavalry Division Association, company-sized elements of the 5th Cavalry were apparently formally designated as Companies vice Troops during both the Korean War and the early part of the Vietnam War.

Category: No Longer Missing

7 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
AW1Ed

Welcome home.

5th/77th FA

Welcome Home Warriors. We Salute your Service and pay Honors to your Sacrifice.

Thanks Hondo.

Steve1371

A long time coming but you are finally home. Rest now in peace with our sincere gratitude of your supreme sacrifice.

Green Thumb

Welcome home, men.

Rest well.

Sparks

Welcome home, Brothers. Rest in peace in your home soil.

Ex-PH2

Welcome home. May the road rise to meet them and the winds be always at their backs.

UpNorth

Welcome home, brothers. Rest in Peace.