MIA Update - August 30, 2021

[boardman]

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced three burial updates and four 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 Reserve Pfc. Jack E. Hill, 21, 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. 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. Hill died on the third day of battle, Nov. 22, 1943. He will be buried Nov. 11, 2021, in Seattle. Read about Hill https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2541475/marine-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-hill-j/.
-- Army Sgt. 1st Class Frank G. Vejar, 19, of Douglas, Arizona, was a member of Heavy Mortar Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Nov. 30, 1950, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Following the battle, his remains could not be recovered. Vejar will be buried in his hometown. The date has yet to be determined. Read about Vejar https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2155844/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-vejar-f/.
-- Army Cpl. Roy H. Thomas, 22, of St. Charles, Virginia, was a member of Company M, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 12, 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. Thomas will be buried in Woodway, Virginia. The date has yet to be determined. Read about Thomas https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2456499/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-thomas-r/.
-- Army Pfc. Berton J. McQueen, 20, was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division. In August 1944, his unit landed on the southern coast of France as part of Operation Dragoon. On Nov. 22, 1st Battalion engaged in a battle with enemy troops in Clefcy, a town in the Alsace region. McQueen was mortally wounded by German artillery shrapnel and taken to an aid station where he died on Nov. 23, 1944. Interment services are pending. Read about McQueen https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2704132/soldier-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-mcqueen-b/.
-- Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Richard W. Horrigan, 24, was a pilot with the 22nd Fighter Squadron, 36th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force, serving in Germany. He was a part of an armed reconnaissance mission to the Alt Lönnewitz Airfield on April 19,1945, piloting a P-47D Thunderbolt fighter. He crashed while strafing enemy planes parked at the airfield, likely due to anti-aircraft fire. Interment services are pending. Read about Horrigan https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2746344/pilot-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-horrigan-r/.
-- Navy Electrician’s Mate 1st Class Harvey C. Herber, 34, 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 Herber. Interment services are pending. Read about Herber https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2746422/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-herber-h/.
-- Navy Seaman 1st Class Edward E. Talbert, 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 Talbert. Interment services are pending. Read about Talbert https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2746442/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-talbert-e/.