MIA Update - March 13, 2020

[boardman]

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced four new identifications, and two burial update 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 Pvt. Ballard McCurley, 34, of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, was a member of Company M, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, during the Battle of the Hürtgen Forest in Germany. On Nov. 29, 1944, his battalion went to a reserve position in the woods west of the town of Hürtgen. He and other Soldiers in his unit were ordered to clear a field of tree stumps so vehicles could drop off rations and supplies. According to witnesses, while clearing out a tree stump, McCurley inadvertently set off an enemy anti-personnel mine and was killed instantly. McCurley will be buried April 25, 2020, in his hometown. Read about McCurley https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1873481/soldier-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-mccurley-b/.

-- Army Sgt. Kenneth E. Walker, 19, of Madill, Oklahoma, was a member of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action Dec. 2, 1950, in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, after his unit was attacked by enemy forces. His remains could not be recovered following the battle. Walker will be buried April 18, 2020, in his hometown. Read about Walker https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2108546/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-walker-k/.

-- Navy Fireman 3rd Class Clarence A. Blaylock, 20, was assigned to the battleship 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 sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Blaylock. Interment services are pending. Read about Blaylock https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2108451/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-blaylock-c/.

-- Navy Seaman 1st Class Russell C. Roach, 22, was assigned to the battleship 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 sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Roach. Interment services are pending. Read about Roach https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2108408/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-roach-r/.

-- Navy Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Alton W. Whitson, 22, was assigned to the battleship 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 sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Whitson. Interment services are pending. Read about Whitson https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2108347/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-whitson-a/.

-- Navy Shipfitter 3rd Class Patrick L. Chess, 24, was assigned to the battleship 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 sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Chess. Interment services are pending. Read about Chess https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2109665/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-chess-p/.