MIA Update - September 18, 2020

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

-- Navy Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Harold L. Dick, 22, of Tipton, Missouri, was aboard the USS Colorado, which was moored approximately 3,200 yards from the shore of Tinian Island, of the Northern Mariana Islands. Early in the morning of July 24, 1944, the USS Colorado, along with the light cruiser USS Cleveland and destroyers USS Remey and USS Norman Scott, commenced firing toward the island. Within two hours a concealed Japanese shore battery opened fire on the USS Colorado. The first hit resulted in a heavy explosion and the ship sustained extensive fragmentation damage. From the attack, four crewmen were declared missing in action, and 39 personnel were killed, including Dick. Dick will be buried Oct. 10, 2020, in his hometown. Read about Dick https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1864199/uss-colorado-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-dick-h/.
-- Navy Gunner’s Musician 1st Class Joseph W. Hoffman, 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 Hoffman. Interment services are pending. Read about Hoffman https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2344441/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-hoffman-j/.
-- Navy Mess Attendant 3rd Class Isaac Parker, 17, 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 Parker. Interment services are pending. Read about Parke https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2347899/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-parker-i/r.
-- Army Pvt. Warren G.H. DeVault, 24, was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. His unit was engaged in battle with German forces near Hurtgen, Germany, when he was reportedly killed in action on Nov. 20, 1944. Interment services are pending. Read about DeVault https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2348331/soldier-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-devault-w/.