MIA Update - July 6, 2021

[boardman]

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced four burial updates and two 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:


-- Marine Corps Sgt. Donald D. Stoddard, 22, of Boulder, Colorado, was a member of Company B, 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. Stoddard died on the third day of battle, Nov. 22, 1943. He was buried June 26, 2021, in his hometown. Read about Stoddard https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2138131/marine-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-stoddard-d/.
-- Navy Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Alphard S. Owsley, 23, of Paris, Kentucky, 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 Owsley. He will be buried Aug. 5, 2021, in his hometown. Read about Owsley https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2357903/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-owsley-a/.
-- Navy Pharmacist’s Mate 3rd Class George L. Paradis, 23, of Yelm, Washington, 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. He will be buried on Oct. 7, 2021, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Read about Paradis https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2545199/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-paradis-g/.
-- Navy Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class George M. Gooch, 22, of Laclede, Missouri, 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, 2021. 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 Gooch. He will be buried Oct. 9, 2021, in his hometown. Read about Gooch https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2383408/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-gooch-g/.
-- Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. J.L. Hancock, 21, was a member of Company B, 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. Hancock died on the third day of battle, Nov. 22, 1943. Interment services are pending. Read about Hancock https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2513843/marine-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-hancock-jl/.
-- Army Cpl. Walter A. Smead, 24, was a member of Battery A, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 6, 1950, after his unit was attacked by enemy forces as they attempted to withdraw near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Following the battle, his remains could not be recovered. Interment services are pending. Read about Smead https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2540524/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-smead-w/.