MIA Update - October 9, 2020

[boardman]

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 and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

-- Marine Corps Reserve Pvt. Jacob Cruz, 18, of Los Angeles, was a member of Company D, 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. Cruz died on the third day of battle, Nov. 22, 1943. Cruz will be buried Nov. 13, 2020, in his hometown. Read about Cruz https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2154328/marine-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-cruz-j/.
-- Army Cpl. Robert C. Agard, Jr., 19, was a member of 2nd Platoon, 24th Reconnaissance Company, 24th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on July 19, 1950, while conducting a night recon patrol with his unit near Taejon, South Korea. He was never found, nor were any remains recovered that could be identified as Agard. He was declared non-recoverable in January 1956. Interment services are pending. Read about Agard https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2367910/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-agard-r/.
-- Marine Pfc. Henry E. Ellis, 22, was a member of Headquarters Company, 1st Service Battalion, 1st Marine Division. He was killed in action on Nov. 30, 1950, while defending the convoy of which he was a member near Koto-ri, North Korea. His body was not immediately recovered, though many deceased Marines were later recovered and buried in the United Nations Cemetery at Koto-ri as UN forces withdrew from the area. Interment services are pending. Read about Ellis https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2370097/marine-accounted-for-from-korean-war-ellis-h/.
-- Marine Corps Cpl. Elmer E. Drefahl, 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 Drefahl.. Interment services are pending. Read about Drefahl https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2370110/uss-oklahoma-marine-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-drefahl-e/.