MIA Update - June 28, 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 Sgt. John E. Hurlburt, 26, of Madison, Connecticut, was a member of the 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. He was killed July 7, 1944, during a massive Japanese attack against the 105th on the island of Saipan. His remains were not known to have been recovered. Hurlburt will be buried Aug. 14, 2021, in New Haven, Connecticut. Read about Hurlburt https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2319460/soldier-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-hurlburt-j/.
-- Army Pfc. Philip T. Hoogacker, 23, of Detroit, was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment. He was reported missing in action on July 27, 1950, after his unit was attacked near Anui, South Korea. He was last seen after receiving first aid for a minor shrapnel wound. DPAA historians believe Hoogacker was captured by the Korean People’s Army and forcibly marched to Seoul and then on to Pyongyang, where he died as a prisoner of war. Hoogacker will be buried July 23, 2021, in Livonia, Michigan. Read about Hoogacker https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2577411/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-hoogacker-p/.
-- Navy Seaman 1st Class Donald A. Stott, 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 Stott. Interment Services are pending. Read about Stott https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2663735/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-stott-d/.
-- Navy Chief Machinist’s Mate Ralph A. Derrington, 42, 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 Derrington. Interment Services are pending. Read about Derrington https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2663703/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-derrington-r/.
-- Army Sgt. Bernard J. Sweeney, Jr., 22, was assigned to Company I, 330th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division. His unit had been engaged in battle with German forces near Strass, Germany, in the Hürtgen Forest, when he was reported missing in action on Dec. 16, 1944. His body was not recovered. Interment Services are pending. Read about Sweeney https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2663635/soldier-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-sweeney-b/.
-- Army Cpl. Charles E. Lee, 18, was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on July 20, 1950 after his unit was forced to retreat from the vicinity of Taejon, South Korea. He was never found, nor were any remains recovered that could be identified as Lee. He was declared non-recoverable in January 1956. Interment Services are pending. Read about Lee https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2663104/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-lee-c/.
-- Navy Fireman 1st Class Walter S. Belt, Jr., 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 Belt. Interment Services are pending. Read about Belt https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2663101/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-belt-w/.