MIA Update - May 3, 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 and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

-- Army Cpl. Clifford S. Johnson, 20, of Valatie, New York, was a member of Headquarters Battery, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 6, 1950, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Following the battle, his remains could not be recovered. Johnson will be buried May 19, 2021, in Schuylerville, New York. Read about Johnson https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2157589/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-johnson-c/.
-- Navy Seaman 1st Class Wallace G. Mitchell, 19, of Los Angeles, 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 Mitchell. He will be buried on May 28, 2021, in San Diego. Read about Mitchell https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2494488/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-mitchell-w/.
-- Navy Fireman 3rd Class Harry R. Holmes, 19, 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 Holmes. Interment services are pending. Read about Holmes https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2586315/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-holmes-h/.
-- Navy Lt. Cmdr. Hugh R. Alexander, 43, 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 Alexander. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions in saving the lives of several fellow crew members. Interment services are pending. Read about Alexander https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2586328/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-alexander-h/.
-- Navy Seaman 2nd Class Charles L. Saunders, 18, 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 Saunders. Interment services are pending. Read about Saunders https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2587765/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-saunders-c/.
-- Navy Fireman 2nd Class Ralph C. Battles, 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 Battles. Interment services are pending. Read about Battles https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2587781/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-battles-r/.
-- Navy Seaman 2nd Class Russell O. Ufford, 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 Ufford. Interment services are pending. Read about Ufford https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2590888/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-ufford-r/.