Twelve Missing World War II Soldiers Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced Monday that the remains 12 U.S. servicemen, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and are being returned to their families for burial with full military honors.

They are:

• Army Air Forces 1^st Lt. Jack E. Volz, 21, of Indianapolis; 
• 2^nd Lt. Regis E. Dietz, 28, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; 
• 2^nd Lt. Edward J. Lake, 25, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; 
• 2^nd Lt. Martin P. Murray, 21, of Lowell, Mass.; 
• 2^nd Lt. William J. Shryock, 23, of Gary, Ind.; 
• Tech. Sgt. Robert S. Wren, 25, of Seattle, Wash.; 
• Tech. Sgt. Hollis R. Smith, 22, of Cove, Ark.; 
• Staff Sgt. Berthold A. Chastain, 27, Dalton, Ga.; 
• Staff Sgt. Clyde L. Green, 24, Erie, Pa.; 
• Staff Sgt. Frederick E. Harris, 23, Medford, Mass.; 
• Staff Sgt. Claude A. Ray, 24, Coffeyville, Kan.; and 
• Staff Sgt. Claude G. Tyler, 24, Landover, Md. 

The remains representing the entire crew will be buried as a group, in a single casket, Aug. 4 in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.  Eight of the airmen were identified and buried as individuals during previous ceremonies.  Shryock, Green and Harris were also individually identified and will be interred individually at Arlington on the same day as the group interment.

These 12 airmen were ordered to carry out a reconnaissance mission in their B-24D Liberator, taking off from an airfield near Port Moresby, New Guinea, on Oct. 27, 1943. Allied plans were being formulated to mount an attack on the Japanese redoubt at Rabaul, New Britain.  American strategists considered it critical to take Rabaul in order to support the eventual invasion of the Philippines.  The crew’s assigned area of reconnaissance was the nearby shipping lanes in the Bismarck Sea.  But during their mission, they were radioed to land at a friendly air strip nearby due to poor weather conditions.  The last radio transmission from the crew did not indicate their location, and in the following weeks, multiple searches over land and sea areas did not locate the aircraft.

Following World War II, the Army Graves Registration Service conducted investigations and searches for 43 missing airmen, including these airmen, in the area but concluded in June 1949 that they were unrecoverable.

In August 2003, a team from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) received information on a crash site from a citizen in Papua New Guinea while they were investigating another case.  He also turned over an identification card from one of the crew members and reported that there were possible human remains at the site of the crash.  Twice in 2004 other JPAC teams attempted to visit the site but were unable to do so due to poor weather and hazardous conditions at the helicopter landing site.  Another team was able to successfully excavate the site from January to March 2007 where they found several identification tags from the B-24D crew as well as human remains.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial DNA—which matched that of some of the crewmembers’ families—in the identification of their remains

Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died.  At the end of the war, the U.S. government was unable to recover and identify approximately 79,000 Americans.  Today, more than 73,000 are unaccounted-for from the conflict.

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.   

Finally Home

What a joyous day -- Welcome Home Bravo Company! 

Late on Saturday night, July 16th, I received official word that the Welcome Home Ceremony for 1/133rd Bravo Company was scheduled for Monday, July 18th at noon, at the Coralville Marriott.  I promptly sent out an email to all family members since I knew so many wanted to attend.  All had been waiting patiently for official word as the tentative dates changed several times and the location and time weren't even announced until the official word was handed down.

Tyler sent me a text message about 8am on Monday morning to tell me the buses had just started rolling out of Fort McCoy on their 4 hour trip home.  The countdown started.  He said about 10 state troopers met them at the state line and escorted them in to Coralville along with as many as 60 Patriot Guard Riders who joined them at Anamosa.  While I would have loved to have been outside to see them roll down 9th Street, I, along with about a thousand others, were anxiously awaiting their arrival, not wanting to give up our seats for which we had arrived an hour early.

Searching for Tyler

The Soldiers were escorted in by the American Legion Color Guard to a patriotic tune by Toby Keith, and filed in three lines of about 30-40 soldiers each.  Tyler had sent me a text pointing out where he would be and I spotted him once and then lost him again as others came in after him.

The ceremonial welcome was given by LT Justin Wygle, the Star Spangled Banner was performed by Tina Doran, and the invocation given by Rev. Waldron.

Various dignitaries were in attendance, each of whom gave brief welcomes home and thanks including David Leshtz, representative for Congressman Loebsack, Coralville Mayor Jim Fausett, Iowa City Mayor Matt Hayek, and finally Major General Robert Sentman (Ret.) who, in his booming voice, granted Bravo Company's dismissal to their families.

Also in attendance was at least one soldier recovering from injury who had received Purple Hearts earlier in the morning.  I wasn't present for the presentation and don't have photos unfortunately and there may very well have been more (if anyone has more information about the Purple Heart presentation, please forward information and photos to me and I'll post).

We spent the afternoon at Tyler's Grandma and Grandpa Davin's home in Iowa City, catching up on family news and hearing some stories of Afghanistan. The day concluded with a lively get together at Pint's in downtown Iowa City, his favorite watering hole.  A selection of photos from the day's events are below (courtesy of Julie Davin Quinlan).

Many thanks to all who have followed My Yellow Ribbon this year.  It's been an honor to bring you our deployment experience, to keep the casualties in the forefront of everyone's mind, and to share our fears and joys with each of you. 

Next up, we, along with my niece's family (my sister's daughter), await the safe return of Spc. Brianne Roe, likely in October.  Brie is based in Kuwait and drives convoys into Iraq.  Stay safe, Brie!

Davins Reunited

Tyler's grandparents, dad, aunts, and uncles
on the Davin side

Mom and Son - at long last

A Patriot Guard Rider

Drew McElmeel, Tom Davin, Cody Fisher

Tyler's proud dad and grandpa

Welcome Home, Son!

Tyler and Cody Fisher - Great friends!

Tyler and Aunt Julie Quinlan

Tyler and his very happy and
relieved grandmother, Mary Davin

Tyler and his grandparents

Greeting his new sister-in-law, Molly Davin,
with his brother, Tim, in the background.
Tyler missed being best man in their
wedding in August, 2010

Aunt Wendy Ford (Brie's mom) and
Uncle Steve Ford - Glad Tyler is home!

Three Missing WWII Soldiers Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of three servicemen, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and are being returned to their families for burial with full military honors.

Army Pfc. Lawrence N. Harris, of Elkins, W.V., Cpl. Judge C. Hellums, of Paris, Miss., and Pvt. Donald D. Owens, of Cleveland, will be buried as a group, in a single casket, on July 20 in Arlington National Cemetery.  In late September 1944, their unit, the 773^rd Tank Battalion, was fighting its way east to France's eastern border, clearing German forces out of the Parroy Forest near Lunéville.  On Oct. 9, 1944, in the final battle for control of the region, Hellums, Harris, Owens and two other soldiers were attacked by enemy fire in their 2M-10 Tank Destroyer.  Two men survived with serious injuries but Harris, Hellums and Owens were reported to have been killed. Evidence at the time indicated the remains of the men had been destroyed in the attack and were neither recovered nor buried near the location.

In November 1946, a French soldier working in the Parroy Forest found debris associated with an M-10 vehicle and human remains, which were turned over to the American Graves Registration Command.  The remains were buried as unknowns in what is now known as the Ardennes American Cemetery in Belgium.  A year later the AGRC returned to the Parroy Forest to conduct interviews and search for additional remains.  Investigators noted at that time that all remains of U.S. soldiers had reportedly been removed in the last two years and that the crew was likely buried elsewhere as unknowns.

In 2003, a French citizen exploring the Parroy Forest discovered human remains and an identification bracelet engraved with Hellums' name, from a site he had probed occasionally since 1998.  The information was eventually sent to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC).  In April 2006, the man turned over the items to a JPAC team working in Europe.  A few months later a second JPAC team returned to the site and recovered more human remains, personal effects and an identification tag for Owens.

Historians at DPMO and JPAC continued their research on the burials at the Ardennes Cemetery, and drew a correlation to those unknowns removed from the 1944 battle site.   In early 2008 JPAC disinterred these remains and began their forensic review.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC used dental comparisons for the men and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used mitochondrial DNA, which matched that of each soldier's relatives in the identification of their remains.

At the end of the war, the U.S. government was unable to recover, identify and bury approximately 79,000 Americans.  Today, more than 72,000 remain unaccounted-for from the conflict.

For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, call 571-422-9059 or visit the DPMO website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo .

Welcome Home Bravo Company!

The community homecoming ceremony for the 1/133rd Bravo Co. from Iowa City (approximately 110 Soldiers) begins approximately 12:00 noon on Monday, July 18, at the Marriott Conference Center, 300 E 9th St., Coralville.  The buses will enter Iowa via U.S. Highway 151 South, then exit onto Iowa Highway #1 (south of Anamosa) south towards Iowa City, then exit onto I-80 West to Exit 242, turning left onto 1st Avenue in Coralville, then left at E 9th St. to the Coralville Marriott.  The ceremony is open to the public.

Many thanks to Captain Tyson Trunkhill for organizing this event and to the Family Readiness Group (FRG) leaders, especially Mollie Graves, for providing support for the families during this deployment.

Home Sweet Home...For Good

Yellow ribbons are a symbol of remembrance of the men and women who serve in places far from home. Over the years, they have been kept especially by wives, mothers and sisters in times of war in memory of their soldier men (and women) abroad.

This yellow ribbon (left), which was tied around our young oak tree last August, is tired.  It was once as yellow as the ribbon that has graced this blog since last November, but it has since been battered by 50 mph winds, subzero temps, hard rains, ice and snow storms, and has faded with the heat of the sun over the last 11 months.  This yellow ribbon is ready to be retired. 

Our son, Tyler, is due home from Afghanistan in less than a week having already landed at Ft McCoy (I think now that they're in the US I can say that, sorry if I'm wrong Op Sec!).  Iowa is ready for their more than 2,800 men and women to return home.  But wait, on second thought, I'll keep that yellow ribbon tied around that young oak tree until my niece, Spc. Brianne Roe, is safely back from Kuwait and Iraq later this fall. 

And each time I look at my yellow ribbon, I'll be reminded of the Iowa Guardsmen who didn't get to come home.  And I'll also remember the 130 Iowa National Guard soldiers who are still recovering from combat injuries in various places around the world.  If you are an injured soldier or the family member of an injured soldier, I'd be pleased to post updates if you'll email them to me at nancy.davin@yahoo.com.

The Blue Star Service banner is another symbol that lets others know that someone in the home is proudly serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Blue Star Service Banner tradition reminds us all that war touches every neighborhood. I've had a Blue Star Service banner on the rear window of my car for the past 11 months.  I'll keep the banner on my car until Brianne returns.

I've struggled a bit with what to do with My Yellow Ribbon after everyone returns.  There won't be nearly as much material to post, though I intend to keep posting the casualties and will have them remain the highlight in order to keep the daily losses in the forefront of the readers' minds. 

And, of course, it depends upon Tyler's re-enlistment decision, one that must be made within the next three months as his contract expires. 

The blog has brought this military mother a great deal of satisfaction.  It has been an educational and therapeutic, yet humbling experience.  I was honored to receive feedback from readers from around the country, even from around the world, including relatives of fallen soldiers, thanking me for keeping the deployment experience out in front of the people, reassuring them that what they're going through is normal. 

It also was awarded the Best U.S. Military Parent Blog of the Year at the 5th Annual MILblog Conference in April, and it afforded me the great experience of serving as a panelist discussing military blogs on NPR's On Point with Tom Ashbrook of Memorial Day.  What a ride!

As Tyler left Afghanistan, I found myself slipping back in to my old ways the last couple of days.  That is, foregoing reading the Google alerts that I had come so accustomed to receiving -- news from various FOBs (forward operating bases) and parts of Afghanistan that I knew the 1/133rd were stationed, about the Red Bulls, and of course the casualties. 

I'll be sure to post pictures from the welcome home ceremony and announce the details once I am able.  In the meantime, join me in giving a very warm welcome home to many tired men and women.  Attend a welcome home ceremony if you can, even if you don't know a soldier.  And when you see one, thank them or buy them a Coke.  I will.  I know it's appreciated.

Update on Recovering 1st Lt. Nicholas R. Morris

1st Lt Nicholas R. Morris

Several days after I learned that Tyler's friend, Lt. Nick Morris, had been injured, I was anxious to learn how he was doing so sent him a Facebook friend request hoping that perhaps his girlfriend was watching his account and accepting requests from well wishers such as myself.  Within several days, I had a response and sent my heartfelt wishes for a complete and quick recovery from his injuries.   

Nick and three other soldiers were injured on June 7 when their vehicle was struck by an IED while conducting combat operations in Laghman Province, Afghanistan.  Nick is recovering from his injuries at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC.  Also injured were Staff Sgt. Daniel J. Wilczak, 40, Luther, Iowa; Sgt. Martin C. Ennor, 25, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Pvt. 1st Class Tyler M. Sirovy, 26, Deep River, Iowa.  

I watch my blog statistics carefully to learn how people arrive on My Yellow Ribbon, what other sites mention it or link to it, and a great deal of them arrive when Googling the name of an injured soldier that has been mentioned in the blog.  The locations range all over the world.  So because many seem interested in Nick's progress, I asked him if he would be willing to send me an update.  I received this from him yesterday:

The Nick and three others were riding in
pictured after the IED

"Right now my time is engulfed in physical therapy and occupational therapy right now, as of now I can't walk but they are taking staples and stitches out and getting use to using the wheel chair, my family switches off every day/night with me pulling 3 different shifts.

Wish I could come to the coming home ceremony, also my dad pinned on my purple heart today, we did take pics and posted them on facebook. That's about it, I'll keep you updated and feel free to ask questions. Thanks."

I'm betting everyone wishes he could come to the Welcome Home Ceremony as well!

Nick received a Purple Heart,
pinned on him by his father

I asked Nick if it would be OK to post some photos of him, as well as one of when he received his Purple Heart and he said OK.  Many thanks to Nick and his family for sharing his progress during his recovery.  

Blessings to you in your recovery, Nick.  You have a big mob of people out here rooting for you!

If you are an injured soldier or a family member of a recovering soldier, I'd be pleased to post updates as they are sent.  You may email them to me at nancy.davin@yahoo.com.  Feel free to include photos.

Air Force Pilot, Maj. Richard G. Elzinga, from Vietnam Identified

Welcome home Air Force Pilot Major Richard G. Elzinga.

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

Air Force Maj. Richard G. Elzinga of Shedd, Ore., will be buried on July 8 in Arlington National Cemetery.  On March 26, 1970, Elzinga and his co-pilot went missing when their O-1G Birddog aircraft failed to return to base from a familiarization flight over Laos.  Fifteen minutes after the last radio contact, a communication and visual search showed no sign of the men or their aircraft.  Search and rescue missions continued for two days with no results.

Between 1994 and 2009, joint U.S.-Lao People's Democratic Republic teams led by Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, analyzed leads, interviewed villagers and surveyed possible crash site locations.  During several joint field surveys, teams recovered human remains, aircraft wreckage, and crew-related equipment.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA -- which matched that of his aunt and cousin -- in the identification of Elzinga's remains.

For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call 703-699-1169.

4th of July Carries Special Meaning

On July 4th, Tyler's Dad, Tom, and I were interviewed at our home by Jill Kasparie of KCRG-TV9 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

Jill's story was to tell about how our family feels and celebrates the 4th of July since our son is serving overseas with the Iowa National Guard.  Both of the interviews are available in their entirety on KCRG's website just below the photo of Tyler in the Related Content box. 

Until I can get the proper code from KCRG to embed the videos on this post, you may view this interview here.

KCRG also interviewed Patty Sourivong, mother of Kampha Sourivong, who was killed in Iraq in 2006 after having served in the Army for three years. Until I can get the proper code from KCRG, you may view Patty's interview here.

Wounded Soldier Homecoming

Reprinted with permission from Katie Pfeiler 7/3/11.

Hi!

Many have asked about Brian and when he's coming home.  We finally have a date and time, hooray!!!  Brian flies into Dubuque Airport Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 1:35pm.  Everyone is welcome to join us at the airport as we welcome him home.  He is only home a month and has to go back August 14, 2011.  He is very eager to see everyone, especially the rest of his unit. 

Please don't feel like you have to come, I know each of you are eagerly awaiting the arrival of your soldier as well and this is a busy time for many.  I just thought I'd give you an update on Brian. 

Happy early 4th and can't wait to see you at the Welcome Home Ceremony!

Take care,

Katie Pfeiler

For more information about Brian Pfeiler, see this article: 
http://www.crew61.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=42&Itemid=102

Proud to be an American

I'm Proud to be an American
  American Soldier Tribute
Get ready to welcome home
the men and women of the
Iowa National Guard!

Happy 4th of July

Iowan Dies in Iraq

Capt. Matthew G. Nielson, 27, of Jefferson, Iowa, died June 29 in Badrah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with indirect fire.  He was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas. 

Also killed were Capt. David E. Van Camp, 29 of Wheeling, West Virginia and Spc. Robert G. Tenney, Jr., 29, of Warner Robins, Georgia.