Remains of airman killed in WWII identified

WASHINGTON — Military authorities have announced the identification of remains of a Pennsylvania airman and two other servicemen who died in Europe during World War II.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said Thursday that 19-year-old Army Air Forces Sgt. Vernon L. Hamilton, of Monongahela, was accounted for last month.

RELATED

Long after they died, military sees surge in identifications of the fallen in past conflicts

Officials believe remains of nearly half of the 83,000 unidentified service members killed in World War II and more recent wars could be identified and returned to relatives.

On March 21, 1945, Hamilton's A-26B was hit by anti-aircraft fire and went missing while trying to obstruct German troop movements in preparation for the Allied crossing of the Rhine River two days later.

In 2016, a German researcher reported a crash site in a horse paddock in Hülsten-Reken, Germany, and scientists used DNA analysis, dental and anthropological analysis and other evidence to identify Hamilton’s remains. The pilot, 2nd Lt. Lynn W. Hadfield, and another crewman, Sgt. John Kalausich, were also accounted for.

RELATED

Return of missing WWII airman’s remains years in the making

Before his burial in Santa Fe late last month, Sgt. Alfonso Orlando Duran was one of nearly 73,000 American service members still missing in action from World War II.

In Other News

VA to resume new electronic health record rollout in mid-2026

The project was scheduled to take 10 years and cost $16 billion. Nearly eight years later, only six of VA’s 170-plus medical sites are using the software.

Suicides among veterans remain unchanged despite federal focus

The figures are the latest available from federal census data and suggest limited progress on the issue of suicide prevention by Veterans Affairs leaders.

Looming government shutdown could hurt military families, veterans

Plans to avert a partial government shutdown starting this weekend appeared scuttled after President-elect Donald Trump opposed the bipartisan deal.

Live in the Tricare West Region? Do this before Dec. 31.

Beneficiaries in the West Region who don't provide recurring payment information could risk losing Tricare coverage.

Senate finalizes plans for a massive junior enlisted pay boost in 2025

Troops ranked E-4 and below would see a 14.5% raise and all other troops a 4.5% raise under legislation headed to the White House.

Load More