MIA Update, July 18, 2019

[boardman]

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

-- Marine Corps Reserve Pvt. William E. Rambo was a member of Company H, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. In Nov. 1943, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed, and more than 2,000 were wounded during the fighting. Rambo was killed on the first day of the battle, Nov. 20, 1943. Interment services are pending. Read about Rambo https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1906207/marine-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-rambo-w/.

-- Army Pvt. Connie Cagle was a member of Company K, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division, when his unit was engaged with enemy forces along the Soputa-Sanananda Track, near Buna, in the Australian Territory of Papua (present-day Papua New Guinea.) Cagle was killed in action on Nov. 22, 1942. Interment services are pending. Read about Cagle https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1907116/soldier-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-cagle-c/.

-- Army Sgt. Robert W. McCarville was a member of Company L, 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. He was killed in action on Dec. 5, 1942, during an assault against enemy positions near Cape Endaiadere, Duropa Plantation, Territory of Papua. Due to intense enemy fire, his unit was unable to recover his remains. Interment services are pending. Read about McCarville https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1904386/soldier-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-mccarville-r/.

-- Navy Fire Controlman 3rd Class Adolph J. Loebach was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma was hit multiple times which caused it to capsize quickly and caused the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Loebach. Interment services are pending. Read about Loebach https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1906015/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-loebach-a/.

-- Navy Mess Attendant 1st Class Johnnie C. Laurie was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma was hit multiple times which caused it to capsize quickly and caused the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Laurie. Interment services are pending. Read about Laurie https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1905793/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-laurie-j/.