MIA Update - September 11, 2020

[boardman]

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced two burial updates for service members who have been missing and unaccounted-for from WWII. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

-- Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. Frank L. Athon, Jr., 29, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th 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 an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, while the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Athon died on the third day of battle, Nov. 22, 1943. Athon will be buried Nov. 21, 2020, in his hometown. Read about Athon https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2295671/marine-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-athon-f/.
-- Navy Shipfitter 3rd Class Patrick L. Chess, 24, of Yakima, Washington, 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. Chess will be buried Oct. 22, 2020, in his hometown. 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/.