Does your DNA match? Find your missing POW

In 1946, nine remains were recovered from Cabanatuan Grave #110, Cabanatuan Cemetery #1 and moved to Manila Cemetery #2.  A year later, they were once again moved to the Manila Mausoleum at Nichols Field for the purpose of analyzing and identifying the remains.   

Of the nine men listed only Pfc Kokitas was identified.  The analysts unsuccessfully attempted to associate these eight remains with the eight unresolved individuals believed to have been buried in Grave 110. 

After a second attempt to identify the remains in 1949, the CIP analysts from HQ, AGRS PHILCOM ZONE recommended that these remains be classified as unidentifiable.  In 1950, the AGRS interred these eight unknowns in the Manila American Cemetery.

Researchers at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) have collected documents and assessed historical evidence concerning Cabanatuan POW Camp cases for many years.  DPAA is engaged in a long-term project to fully account for the Cabanatuan missing.  This will involve a comprehensive review of all files associated with Cabanatuan, including the collection of genealogical data and DNA reference samples from the prisoners’ next of kin. 

Currently, DPAA must have DNA samples of 60% or Family Reference Samples (FRS) on file for each grave before the U.S. government will consider approving a disinterment for the purpose of identification.  As of 31 October 2016, the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) has no FRSs on file for Grave 110. 

If you are a next of kin of one of the men listed below and you wish for the DPAA to try to identify their remains, please contact Fred Baldassarre.

Individuals Recorded as Buried in Grave 110, Cabanatuan Cemetery #1
Name	Service Number	Rank	Unit	Branch of Service	Status
SUTPHIN, IRVIN R.	O-890391	2d Lt	31st Infantry	U.S. Army	BNR
Bernardy, Donald L.	00280239	Pfc	4th Marine Regiment	U.S. Marine Corps	BNR
Gunn, John G.	06978029	Cpl	31st Infantry	U.S. Army	BNR
Bailey, Gerald J.	19018331	Cpl	19th Bomb Group	U.S. Army Air Corps	BNR
Ramirez, Juan	38030019	Pvt	515th Coast Artillery	U.S. Army	BNR
Grier, Joe R.	06926136	S Sgt	27th Bomb Group	U.S. Army Air Corps	BNR
Wilson, Woodrow	06832712	S Sgt	24th Pursuit Group	U.S. Army Air Corps	BNR
Hueston ,Joe I.	06573215	Pvt	24th Pursuit Group	U.S. Army Air Corps	BNR
Kokitas, Albert J.	13004748	Pfc	31st Infantry	U.S. Army	Resolved