Sixteen soldiers from World War II and the Korean War have been identified
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency recently reported that sixteen soldiers previously missing have now been accounted for. Seven of these soldiers had been captured by the Japanese during World War II, following the invasion of the Philippine Islands just one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. These individuals were likely participants in the infamous 65-mile Bataan Death March to Japanese prison camps, a harrowing event where many were tortured and killed. The nine other soldiers were killed in action during various engagements with North Korean and Chinese forces in the 1950-53 Korean War, including the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. These losses represent significant recoveries of personnel missing from key historical conflicts involving American troops.
Sixteen previously missing soldiers were accounted for Monday, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
Of the group, seven had been prisoners of war, held by the Japanese during World War II, while the remaining nine were killed in action in the Korean War.
When the Japanese invaded the Philippine Islands one day after Pearl Harbor, thousands of Americans and Filipinos were captured as prisoners of war. Sgts. Jack H. Hohlfeld, Charles E. Young Jr., and Sam A. Price had been sent to defend the island during the thick summer months before the invasion, fighting alongside Corp. Raymond N. DeCloss, Pvts. Robert W. Cash and Jacob Gutterman, and Pfc. Joseph C. Murphy. All were captured and likely subjected to the 1942 Bataan Death March: a 65-mile trudge to Japanese prison camps that saw thousands of soldiers tortured and killed along the way.
The nine remaining soldiers died fighting North Korean and Chinese forces during the 1950-53 Korean War. Sgts. Clayton M. Pierce and Charles E. Beaty and Cpl. William Colby went missing while their units engaged in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. They were reportedly killed in action.
Both Cpl. Jesse L. Mitchell and Sgt. John P. Rhyter went missing during the Battle of the Ch’ongch’on River, with Mitchell reportedly dying in a North Korean prison camp.
As for the remaining four, the specifics of their deaths remain unknown. Cpl. Edward J. Smith, Sgt. Israel Ramos, and Pfc. Charles A. Vorel Jr. all were reported missing in action somewhere among the mountains of South Korea. Sgt. Kester B. Hardman reportedly went missing in 1951, with North Korean officials revealing in 1953 that he had been held as a captive of their army.
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The DPAA did not reveal the specific tactics of identification used with these most recent soldiers. However, its typical methods closely examine mitochondria and isotopes still present in the remains, attempting to uncover distinguishable DNA data and match a name.
After they are identified, the DPAA notifies families of the fallen, allowing for a full military burial.
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