MIA Update - October 2, 2020

[boardman]

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced 1 new identification and six burial updates for service members who have been missing and unaccounted-for from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

-- Air Force Maj. Paul A. Avolese, 35, was a radar navigator assigned to the 4133rd Bombardment Wing. That day, he was part of the crew of a B-52D Stratofortress bomber conducting a bombing mission from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to a target in Vietnam. During a maneuver over the South China Sea, Avolese’s bomber collided with another B-52, causing both aircraft to fall into the sea. Four of the crew members from his aircraft were rescued, but Avolese was never recovered. He was declared dead on July 24, 1967. Interment services are pending. Read about Avolese https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2361765/airman-accounted-for-from-vietnam-war-avolese-p/.
-- Marine Corps Reserve Pvt. Howard E. Miller, 22, of San Mateo, California, 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. Miller died on the third day of battle, Nov. 22, 1943. Miller will be buried Nov. 6, 2020, in his hometown. Read about Miller https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2170727/marine-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-miller-h/.
-- Navy Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Alton W. Whitson, 22, of Seattle, 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. Whitson will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, in October 2021. 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/.
-- Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. John P. Langan, 18, of Columbus, Nebraska, was a member of Company C, 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. Langan died on the third day of battle, Nov. 22, 1943. Langan will be buried in Platte Center, Nebraska. The date has yet to be determined. Read about Langan https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2274735/marine-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-langan-j/.
-- Army Sgt. Jesse “Johnnie” D. Hill, 20, of Highland Park, Michigan, was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Following the battle, his remains could not be recovered. Hill will be buried in Holly, Michigan. The date has yet to be determined. Read about Hill https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2194642/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-hill-j/.
-- Navy Fireman 1st Class Louis J. Tushla, 25, of Atkinson, Nebraska, 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 Tushla. He will be buried July 17, 2021, in his hometown. Read about Tushla https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2191277/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-tushla-l/.
-- Navy Hospital Apprentice 1st Class John M. Mulick, 21, of Elma, Iowa, 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 Mulick. The date and location for Mulick’s burial have yet to be decided by the family. Read about Mulick https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2066972/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-mulick-j/.