Honoring the Unknown Soldier

TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER - UNIQUE PUBLIC ACCESS

For the first time in nearly 100 years, and as part of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Centennial Commemoration, the public will be able to walk on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Plaza and lay flowers in front of the Tomb on Nov. 9 and 10, 2021, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

On Veterans Day the public is invited to observe a joint full honors procession, meant to replicate elements of the World War I Unknown Soldier’s 1921 funeral procession followed by a flyover with aircraft from all the armed services branches.

Event Participation: What to Know.       Army Commemoration Website.

Registration is required at Eventbrite.com: https://anctomb100.eventbrite.com/

Of the more than 72,000 American service men and women are still missing from World War II, 65 percent or more than 47,000 are missing in the Indo-Pacific. Most are presumed lost at sea, many dying as POWs in Japanese hellships.

Guaranteeing a rest in peace

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency: Bringing Our Nation’s Heroes Home

Tuesday, November 19, 2019 - 2:00pm

House Committee on Oversight and Reform

The hearing will help inform the public about the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s (DPAA) accounting efforts and allow the Subcommittee to conduct oversight of DPAA’s performance. The hearing will also examine whether DPAA has the necessary resources to carry out its mission, as well as whether it has used these resources effectively since its formation in 2015.

In fiscal year 2019, the DPAA recorded 218 identifications, the highest yearly total reached by the agency or its predecessor organizations, bringing important closure to family and loved ones.

Panel One

Kelly McKeague

Director

Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Panel Two

Mark Noah

Chief Executive Officer

History Flight

Vincent “B.J.” Lawrence

Washington Office Executive Director

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Jo Anne Shirley

Former Chair

National League of POW/MIA Families

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