MIA Update - January 10, 2022

[boardman]

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced three burial updates and one new identification 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:

-- Army Air Forces Capt. Nando A. Cavalieri, 24, of Eveleth, Minnesota, was assigned to 324th Bombardment Squadron, 91st Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force. On Feb. 3, 1945, the B-17G Flying Fortress bomber on which Cavalieri was serving as a bombardier crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire. Following the war, his remains could not be identified. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The date has yet to be determined. Read about Cavalieri https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2716072/airman-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-cavalieri-n/.
-- Army Pfc. Don D. Dowler, Jr., 18, of Clarinda, Iowa, was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Following the battle, his remains could not be recovered. Dowler will be buried in Santa Maria, California. The date has yet to be determined. Read about Dowler https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2791090/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-dowler-d/.
-- Navy Seaman 1st Class Billy Turner, 20, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, 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 Turner. He will be buried in his hometown. The date has yet to be determined. Read about Turner https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2805387/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-turner-b/.
-- Navy Seaman 1st Class John R. Melton, 23, was assigned to the battleship USS West Virginia, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS West Virginia sustained multiple torpedo hits, resulting in the deaths of 106 crewmen, including Melton. Interment services are pending. Read about Melton https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2888095/uss-west-virginia-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-melton-j/.