MIA Update- November 27, 2019

[boardman]

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced one new identifications, and six burial updates for service members who have been missing and unaccounted-for from WWII and the Korean War. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

-- Army Air Forces Tech. Sgt. Charles G. Ruble, 20, of Parker City, Indiana, was a member of the 99th Troup Carrier Squadron, 441st Troup Carrier Group, serving as an aerial engineer aboard a C-47A aircraft. On Sept. 17, 1944, his aircraft was carrying a crew of five and transporting 10 paratroopers, approaching a drop-zone near Groesbeek, Netherlands. The plane was seen taking direct anti-aircraft fire to the wing. The paratroopers successfully exited the plane; however, only three crewmembers survived. The remaining two, including Ruble, could not be accounted for. Ruble will be buried March 2, 2020, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Read about Ruble https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1865171/airman-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-ruble-c/.
-- Navy Fire Controlman 3rd Class Adolph J. Loebach, 22, of Peru, Illinois, 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. Loebach will be buried Dec. 19, 2019, in LaSalle, Illinois. 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/.
-- Army Cpl. Gerald N. Wilson, 19, of Camden, Missouri, was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was last seen July 25, 1950, while participating in the defense of Yongdong, South Korea. His remains could not be recovered. Wilson will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The date has yet to be determined. Read about Wilson https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1949987/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-wilson-g/.
-- Army Pvt. William D. Hedtke, 28, of Iola, Wisconsin, was assigned to Battery B, 319th Glider Artillery Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division. Army officials reported he died of injuries sustained in a hard glider landing near Groesbeek, Netherlands, during Operation Market Garden on Sept. 18, 1944. His remains were not recovered after the war. Hedtke will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The date has yet to be determined. Read about Hedtke https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1998837/soldier-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-hedtke-w/.
-- Navy Fireman First Class Bethel E. Walters, 25, of Bellevue, Texas, was killed during World War II. On Dec. 7, 1941, Walters was assigned to the battleship USS West Virginia, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS West Virginia sustained multiple torpedo hits, but timely counter-flooding measures taken by the crew prevented it from capsizing, and it came to rest on the shallow harbor floor. The attack resulted in the deaths of 106 crewmen, including Walters. The funeral date and location have yet to be decided. Read about Walters https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2003158/uss-west-virginia-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-walters-b/.
-- Navy Fireman 1st Class Lawrence E. Woods, 28, of Greenwood, Texas, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which capsized after sustaining multiple torpedo hits as it was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Woods. The funeral date and location have yet to be decided. Read about Woods https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1956827/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-woods-l/.
-- Navy Fireman 1st Class Rex E. Wise, 21, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which capsized after sustaining multiple torpedo hits as it was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Nielsen. Interment services are pending. Read about Wise https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2024444/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-wise-r/.