MIA Update, May 31, 2019

[boardman]

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has announced the identifications of eight American servicemen who had been missing and unaccounted for from Korea and WWII. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:


-- Army Cpl. Earl H. Markle was a member of Company M, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, engaged against enemy forces near Unsan, North Korea. He was reported missing in action on Nov. 2, 1950, when he could not be accounted for by his unit following the attack. Interment services are pending. Read about Markle https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1858242/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-markle-e/.
-- Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. John T. Burke was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. In November 1943, his unit landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Burke died on Nov. 20, 1943. Interment services are pending. Read about Burke https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1858802/marine-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-burke-j/.
-- U.S. Navy Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Leo Blitz was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmembers, including Leo and his twin brother. Interment services are pending. Read about Blitz https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1857317/uss-oklahoma-twins-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-blitz-l-blitz-r/.
-- U.S. Navy Fireman 1st Class Rudolph Blitz was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmembers, including Rudolph and his twin brother. Interment services are pending. Read about Blitzhttps://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1857317/uss-oklahoma-twins-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-blitz-l-blitz-r/.
-- Navy Seaman 1st Class Edward Wasielewski was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmembers, including Wasielewski. Interment services are pending. Read about Wasielewski https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1856392/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-wasielewski-e/.