WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. Army Air Force gunner’s remains have been accounted for nearly eight decades after the heavy bomber he was flying in was shot down over France during World War II, military officials said Monday.
Staff Sgt. Franklin P. Hall, 21, of Leesburg, Florida, was identified in July by scientists who used anthropological and DNA analysis, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said in a news release.
Hall was assigned to the 66th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in the European Theater in January 1944, officials said. The airman was the left waist gunner on a B-24D Liberator called “Queen Marlene” when it was attacked by German air forces near Équennes-Éramecourt, France. German forces found the crash site and recovered nine sets of remains, which were interred in the French cemetery at Poix-de-Picardie. Hall’s remains were not accounted for after the war, and he was declared non-recoverable in 1951.
Ongoing research into soldiers missing from combat around Équennes-Éramecourt eventually led to the discovery of two sets of remains buried in Normandy American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site. The remains were disinterred in 2018 and transferred to the DPAA laboratory, where one set was identified as Hall.
Hall’s name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at Ardennes American Cemetery, France, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Hall will eventually be buried in Leesburg, Florida, though officials didn’t say when.
2024-12-24 21:57966 view
2024-12-24 21:362015 view
2024-12-24 20:53637 view
2024-12-24 20:181089 view
2024-12-24 19:592472 view
2024-12-24 19:582723 view
Collaborators on Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" album are continuing to make their mark in the music ind
We independently selected these deals and products because we love them, and we think you might like
Meghan Markle is braving the weather in leather. Heavy rain didn't stop the Duchess of Sussex from e