MIA Update - March 29, 2021

[boardman]

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

-- Army Pvt. Lyle W. Reab, 22, of Phillips, Nebraska, was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action as of Nov. 9, 1944, after his unit engaged German forces at Vossenack, Germany, in the Hürtgen Forest. His body was not recovered. Reab will be buried June 8, 2021, in Aurora, Nebraska. Read about Reab https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2516053/soldier-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-reab-l/.
-- Marine Corps Pfc. John F. Middleswart, 19, of San Diego, 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 Middleswart. He will be buried on June 8, 2021, in his hometown. Read about Middleswart https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2493572/uss-oklahoma-marine-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-middleswart-j/.
-- Navy Pharmacist’s Mate 3rd Class George L. Paradis, 23, 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 Paradis. Interment services are pending. Read about Paradis https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2545199/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-paradis-g/.
-- Navy Seaman 1st Class Wilbur F. Ballance, 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 Ballance. Interment services are pending. Read about Ballance https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2548074/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-ballance-w/.
-- Navy Fireman 1st Class Harold E. Bates, 27, 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 Bates. Interment services are pending. Read about Bates https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2548101/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-bates-h/.
-- Navy Seaman 1st Class Elmer P. Lawrence, 25, 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 Lawrence. Interment services are pending. Read about Lawrence https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2548155/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-lawrence-e/.
-- Navy Signalman 1st Class Eugene M. Skaggs, 33, 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 Skaggs. Interment services are pending. Read about Skaggs https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2548176/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-skaggs-e/.