“Patton Watches Over His Troops,” copyrighted photo by CAStone, Luxembourg American Military Cemetery, Hamm, Luxembourg, 14 June 2014.
“His lord said to him, Well done, you good and faithful servant…” Matthew 25:21
The Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) is a comparison biometric profiling and correlation system Chief Stone developed during his law enforcement career and utilized in his investigative reports submitted to JPAC during his tenure with the Department of Defense. Foundation researchers continue to use the system as an investigative research technique. It is nothing more than a method using basic measurement comparisons and common sense deductive reasoning to narrow down a list of potential matches to be recommended for a full forensic analysis. The system is not, nor was it ever intended to be, a scientific identification tool to supplant DNA or other forms of forensic identification.
There have now been multiple identifications from “Unknowns” who were disinterred or were in storage at the JPAC/DPAA Laboratory for which Chief Stone or other Foundation researchers used the RISC System to provide a report to the Department of Defense or a family member with a list of matches.
The RISC System has proven to be over 94% accurate in selecting the missing American serviceman as a “Possible”, “Probable”, or “Most Likely” match PRIOR to the official identification.
Below are American servicemen whose MIA cases were the subject of investigations by Chief Rick Stone while at the Department of Defense or by researchers and investigators at the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation. They are listed in chronological order beginning with the most recent announcement of identification by the Department of Defense.
Private Richard Gordon Wright was a member of K Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines when he was killed by shrapnel wounds on Tarawa’s Red Beach 1 on 20 November 1943. He was erroneously reported as being buried in Cemetery 13 on Tarawa after the battle. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery and concluded in September 2011 that PVT Wright was a not a Most Likely Match to any Unknown from Cemetery 13. On 31 October 2023, PVT Wright’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation for a comprehensive Family Report on Private Wright’s case. Foundation investigators concluded that PVT Wright was a “Most Likely Match” to X-247 and a “Probable Match” to X-251. The Foundation also concluded that at some point there was comingling of the remains between X-247 and X-251. In March 2024, the family of PVT Wright notified the Foundation that he had been identified as a Punchbowl “Unknown.” Confirmation from the Department of Defense that PVT Wright was identified from portions of both X-247 and X-251 was received on 23 April 2024.
Sergeant Harold Hammett was a member of B Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines when he was last seen embarking from his amphibious tractor on Tarawa’s Red Beach 2 on 20 November 1943 under heavy enemy fire. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery and concluded in September 2011 that SGT Hammett was a Most Likely Match to Unknown X-251 and a Probable Match to Unknown X-247. In 2016, 2017, and 2019, SGT Hammett’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation for comprehensive Family Reports on SGT Hammett’s case. Foundation investigators concluded that at some point there was comingling of the remains between X-247 and X-251. On 9 February 2024, the Department of Defense announced that the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory had identified SGT Hammett as a Punchbowl “Unknown” and specifically included X-247 and X-251 in the announcement.
Seaman 1st Class Richard Martin Schuon Jr. joined the Navy on 9 December 1936 and boarded the USS West Virginia as a member of the battleship’s crew on 29 April 1940. S1c Schuon became the ship’s wrestling champion and participated in the “Iron Man” competition. He was on board the West Virginia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack, S1c Schuon’s body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense in January 2012 , retired Police Chief Rick Stone prepared reports on all of the West Virginia’s MIA’s using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation (RISC) System which listed S1c Schuon as a Most Likely Match to multiple “Unknowns” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii. Later, researchers from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation reduced the number of Most Likely Matches to nine. In 2017, five years after Chief Stone recommended the USS West Virginia Unknowns be exhumed and identified, the Department of Defense (DoD) finally decided to act on Chief Stone’s recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS West Virginia Unknowns. S1c Schuon was recovered from one of the sites in the Punchbowl Cemetery indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2012. His identification by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory was officially announced by the DoD on 18 December 2023, over eleven years after Chief Stone’s initial investigative report on his case and eighty-two years after his loss.
Mess Attendant 3rd Class David Walker joined the Navy on 21 August 1940 and boarded the USS California as a member of the battleship’s crew on 6 December 1940. He was on board the California when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack MAtt3c Walker’s body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense on 7 December 2011, retired Police Chief Rick Stone prepared reports on all of the California’s MIA’s using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation (RISC) System which listed MAtt3c Walker as a Most Likely Match to only one USS California “Unknown” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii. The biometric analysis was greatly aided by the fact that MAtt3c Walker was the only African-American MIA from the USS California. Later, researchers from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation confirmed these findings. In February 2018, six years after Chief Stone recommended the USS California Unknowns be exhumed and identified, the Department of Defense (DoD) finally decided to act on Chief Stone’s recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS California Unknowns. MAtt3c Walker was recovered from the site in the Punchbowl Cemetery indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2011. His identification by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory was officially announced by the DoD on 27 November 2023, almost twelve years after Chief Stone’s initial investigative report on his case and eighty-two years after his loss.
Pharmacist Mate 2nd Class Merle Chester Joseph Hillman joined the Navy on 17 February 1937 and boarded the USS California as a member of the battleship’s crew on 25 October 1939. He was on board the California when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack PhM2c Hillman’s body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense on 7 December 2011, retired Police Chief Rick Stone prepared reports on all of the California’s MIA’s using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation (RISC) System which listed PhM22c Hillman as a Most Likely Match to only two USS California “Unknowns” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii including Nuuanu Unknown X-21. Later, researchers from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation confirmed these findings and reduced the “Most Likely Match” candidates to only one: Nuuanu Unknown X-21. In February 2018, six years after Chief Stone recommended the USS California Unknowns be exhumed and identified, the Department of Defense (DoD) finally decided to act on Chief Stone’s recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS California Unknowns. PhM2c Hillman was recovered from the site in the Punchbowl Cemetery indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2011. His identification as Nuuanu Unknown X-21 by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory was officially announced by the DoD on 20 October 2023, almost twelve years after Chief Stone’s initial investigative report on his case and eighty-two years after his loss.
PhM2c Hillman’s hometown newspaper article about his identification:
https://www.gazettenet.com/HolyokeVetRemains-hg-01232024-53800230
Seaman 2nd Class Stanley Casmier Galaszewski joined the Navy on 15 November 1940 and soon boarded the USS California as a member of the battleship’s crew. He was on board the California when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack S2c Galaszewski’s body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense on 7 December 2011, retired Police Chief Rick Stone prepared reports on all of the California’s MIA’s using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation (RISC) System which listed S2c Galaszewski as a Most Likely Match to only two USS California “Unknowns” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii including Unknown X-80. Later, researchers from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation confirmed these findings and reduced the “Most Likely Match” candidates to just Unknown X-80, which Foundation investigators announced was a “slam dunk” to be S2c Galaszewski. In February 2018, six years after Chief Stone recommended the USS California Unknowns be exhumed and identified, the Department of Defense (DoD) finally decided to act on Chief Stone’s recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS California Unknowns. S2c Galaszewski was recovered from the site in the Punchbowl Cemetery indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2011. His identification by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory was officially announced by the DoD on 2 October 2023, almost twelve years after Chief Stone’s initial investigative report on his case and eighty-two years after his loss. After an official FOIA request, DPAA finally confirmed the Unknown identified as S2c Galazewski as X-80.
2nd Lieutenant Fred Lorenzo Brewer, Jr. was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina and graduated from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina before enlisting in the U.S. Army on 11 November 1942. He earned his wings as a member of the famed “Tuskegee Airmen” and was assigned to the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group in Italy when he was listed as Missing In Action during a bomber escort mission over Germany on 29 October 1944. While Chief Stone was at JPAC in 2011, researchers at JPAC began an investigation into American airmen lost in Italy, including 2nd LT Brewer. In June 2017, the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation was contacted by an independent researcher which requested that an “Unknown”, buried in the Florence American Military Cemetery in Italy be compared to 2nd LT Brewer . Foundation investigators were able to determine that 2nd Lieutenant Brewer was a “Probable Match” to the “Mirandola Unknown X-125.” After the Foundation’s investigation, the Department of Defense finally exhumed “Mirandola Unknown X-125” and announced his identification as 2nd LT Brewer by DNA analysis on 21 August 2023.
Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Arnold Eugene Lyon from Colorado, boarded the USS West Virginia as a member of the battleship’s crew on 1 September 1938. He was on board the West Virginia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack GM3c Lyon’s body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense in January 2012, Chief Rick Stone prepared reports on all of the West Virginia’s MIA’s using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation (RISC) System which listed GM3c Lyon as a Most Likely Match to only four West Virginia “Unknowns” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 2017, after over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS West Virginia Unknowns. Researchers from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available at the Department of Defense (DoD), continued to research GM3c Lyon’s case and confirmed the list of Most Likely Matches to only four Punchbowl “Unknowns.” GM3c Lyon was recovered from a grave site in the Punchbowl Cemetery indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2012 and his identification by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory was announced on 21 July 2023.
Private Eugene Parker Miller was reported as Wounded in Action on 21 November 1943 on Tarawa and transferred to an off shore ship for treatment. Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery and concluded that PVT Miller was a possible match to two “Unknowns.” In February 2017, PVT Miller’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation and received a comprehensive “Family Report” on PVT Miller’s case. Subsequent investigation by Foundation investigators confirmed that PVT Miller was originally buried in Cemetery 33 but was not any “Unknown” recovered from Cemetery 33. PVT Miller’s official identification was confirmed by the Department of Defense on 28 November 2022 but there was no mention by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) of where he had been recovered. The Foundation demanded PVT Miller’s DPAA Laboratory File under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in 2023 which revealed that PVT Miller had been identified by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory to be the mis-identified remains recovered from the grave of Captain Edward Walker in Tennessee in 2019.
Private First Class Lawrence Earl Garrison was reported as Killed in Action by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery and concluded that PFC Garrison was a Most Likely Match to multiple “Unknowns.” In May 2018, PFC Garrison’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation for a comprehensive Family Report on PFC Garrison’s case. Foundation investigators continued to work on PFC Garrison’s case and reduced the number of Most Likely Matches to five “Unknowns” previously buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery, including Unknown X-104A. PFC Garrison was identified by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory as Unknown X-104A and his official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 26 August 2022.
Private Fay Gene Teter was reported as Killed in Action by gunshot wounds to the head and chest on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery and concluded that PVT Teter was NOT an “Unknown.” In January 2015 PVT Teter’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation who confirmed that PVT Teter was not an “Unknown” but was buried at grid coordinates on Tarawa discovered by Foundation research. Foundation investigators plotted the grid coordinates on a modern map of Tarawa and repeatedly offered the map to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. After a building collapse on Tarawa in 2019, a contractor finally discovered PVT Teter at the exact coordinates plotted by Foundation investigators. PVT Teter was identified from the long lost grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 3 August 2022.
Ship’s Fitter 2nd Class Claude Ralph Garcia from Ventura, California, boarded the USS West Virginia as a member of the battleship’s crew on 21 April 1936. He was on board the West Virginia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack SF2c Garcia’s body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense in January 2012, Chief Rick Stone prepared reports on all of the West Virginia’s MIA’s using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation (RISC) System which listed SF2c Garcia as a Most Likely Match to only two West Virginia “Unknowns” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii, including X-162. On 13 June 2017, after over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS West Virginia Unknowns. Researchers from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available at the Department of Defense (DoD), continued to research SF2c Garcia’s case and confirmed the list of Most Likely Matches to only two Punchbowl “Unknowns”, including X-162. SF2c Garcia was recovered from a grave site in the Punchbowl Cemetery indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2012 and his identification by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory as X-162 was announced on 20 July 2022.
Motor Machinist Mate 1st Class Keith Warren Tipsword, from Moccasin, Illinois, boarded the USS West Virginia as a member of the battleship’s crew on 10 September 1937. He was on board the West Virginia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack MM1c Tipsword’s body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense in January 2012, Chief Rick Stone prepared reports on all of the West Virginia’s MIA’s using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation (RISC) System which listed MM1c Tipsword as a Most Likely Match to five West Virginia “Unknowns” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii, including X-134. On 13 June 2017, after over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS West Virginia Unknowns. Researchers from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available at the Department of Defense (DoD), continued to research MM1c Tipsword’s case. In February 2022, MM1c Tipsword’s family contacted the Foundation for a comprehensive “Family Report” which narrowed the list of Most Likely Matches to only three Punchbowl “Unknowns”, including X-134. In fact, MM1c Tipsword was the ONLY “Most Likely Match” to X-134. MM1c Tipsword was recovered from a grave site in the Punchbowl Cemetery indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2012 and his identification by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory was announced as X-134 on 20 July 2022.
The USS Indianapolis Burial at Sea Project
The USS Indianapolis was sunk by Japanese submarine torpedoes on 30 July 1945 resulting in the loss of over 800 sailors and Marines who were officially listed as “Missing in Action.” After the sinking, 91 bodies were recovered by ships in the area but only 40 could be identified. In January 2021, the Foundation initiated a project to determine if any of the remaining 51 “unknowns” recovered from the site of the sinking could be identified using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation (RISC) System to analyze publically available historical documents on the sinking. On 1 May 2021, over seventy-five years after the Indy went down, the Foundation submitted investigative reports to the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) citing “clear and convincing evidence” that 13 of the 51 unknown sailors were given a burial at sea by recovery ships and sufficient documentation had been discovered to now identify them. With concurrence by NHHC and a board convened by the Navy Personnel Casualty Office, the status of all 13 was officially changed on 27 May 2022 from “Missing in Action” to “Accounted For” by burial at sea. The families of the following Indy crew members have now been notified of the actual recovery and burial of their lost hero:
| LAST NAME | FIRST | MIDDLE | RANK |
| ABBOTT | George | Stanley | S1c |
| BATSON | Eugene | Clifford | S2c |
| HAYNES | William | Alexander | GM1c |
| KELLY | Albert | Raymond | S2c |
| LUNDGREN | Albert | Davis | S1c |
| McHONE | Ollie | (NMN) | F1c |
| PAYNE | George | David | S2c |
| RAHN | Alvin | Wilder | SK3c |
| SAENZ | Jose | Antonio | SC3c |
| SPARKS | Charles | Byrd | COX |
| STRAIN | Joseph | Mason | RDM2c |
| SUDANO | Angelo | Anthony | SSML3c |
| WOLFE | Floyd | Ralph | GM3c |
Seaman First Class John Russell Melton, from Liberty, Mississippi, boarded the USS West Virginia as a member of the battleship’s crew on 21 October 1940. He was on board the West Virginia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack S1c Melton’s body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense in January 2012, Chief Rick Stone prepared reports on all of the West Virginia’s MIA’s using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation (RISC) System which listed S1c Melton as a Most Likely Match to multiple West Virginia “Unknowns” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii including Unknown X-156. On 13 June 2017, after over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS West Virginia Unknowns. Researchers from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available at the Department of Defense (DoD), continued to research S1c Melton’s case. In December 2020, S1c Melton’s family contacted the Foundation for a comprehensive “Family Report” which narrowed the list of Most Likely Matches to only six Punchbowl “Unknowns”, including Unknown X-156. S1c Melton was recovered from a grave site in the Punchbowl Cemetery indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2012 and his identification by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory as Unknown X-156 was confirmed on 1 February 2021.
Seaman 2nd Class Tceollyar Simmons joined the Navy on 22 November 1940 and soon boarded the USS California as a member of the battleship’s crew. He was on board the California when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack S2c Simmons’ body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense on 7 December 2011, Chief Rick Stone prepared reports on all of the California’s MIA’s using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation (RISC) System which listed S2c Simmons as a Most Likely Match to only one USS California “Unknown” (X-96) buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii. In February 2018, six years after Chief Stone recommended the USS California Unknowns be exhumed and identified, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone’s recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS California Unknowns. S2c Simmons was recovered from the site in the Punchbowl Cemetery indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2011. His identification was officially announced as Unknown X-96 by the DoD on 15 December 2021, ten years after Chief Stone’s initial investigative report on his case and eighty years after his loss.
Seaman 2nd Class Pete Turk boarded the USS California as a member of the battleship’s crew on 25 November 1940. He was on board the California when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack S2c Turk’s body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense in January and February 2012, Chief Rick Stone prepared reports on all of the California’s MIA’s using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation (RISC) System which listed S2c Turk as a Most Likely Match to five California “Unknowns” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii including Unknown X-066. Researchers from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available at the Department of Defense (DoD), continued to research S2c Turk’s case and found one USS California Unknown for which S2c Turk was the ONLY Most Likely Match to X-066 to the exclusion of all other California MIA’s. In February 2018, six years after Chief Stone recommended the USS California Unknowns be exhumed and identified, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone’s recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS California Unknowns. S2c Turk was recovered from the site in the Punchbowl Cemetery indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2012 and his identification was officially announced by the DoD on 12 October 2021. Seven months after a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), DPAA finally confirmed on 11 May 2022 that S2c Turk was X-066.
On 11 September 1944, 1st Lieutenant James E. Wright was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division when he was listed as Missing In Action. In February 2014, the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation was contacted by the 7th Armored Division Association which requested that “Unknown Hamm X-46”, buried in the Luxembourg American Military Cemetery in Hamm, Luxembourg, be compared to twelve known casualties from the 7th Armored Division (Lieutenant Wright was not one of the twelve possible matches for comparison analysis submitted by the 7th Armored Division Association) . Foundation investigators were able to eliminate all but one of the twelve 7th Armored Division personnel as a possible match to X-46. Based on the Foundation’s investigation, the Department of Defense exhumed X-46 in May 2016 and announced his identification as Lieutenant Wright by DNA analysis on 23 September 2021.
CPL Andrew Pellerito was reported as Killed in Action by gunshot wounds to the head on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that CPL Pellerito was originally buried in Cemetery 33 on Tarawa and was a “Most Likely Match” to five “Unknowns” recovered from that location in 1946 and later buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery, including Unknown X-118. CPL Pellerito’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation in August 2017 and requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on CPL Pellerito’s case, which was immediately sent. CPL Pellerito was identified as Unknown X-118 as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 2 September 2021.
PFC Glenn Franklin White was reported as Killed in Action by shrapnel wounds to the head and chest on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery and concluded that PFC White was NOT an “Unknown.” In July 2017 PFC White’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation who confirmed that PFC White was not an “Unknown” but was buried in Grave 26, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries.” After a building collapse on Tarawa in 2019, a contractor finally discovered Row D. PFC White was identified from the long lost cemetery row and grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 7 July 2021.
Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Charles Darling Brown boarded the USS West Virginia as a member of the battleship’s crew on 1 September 1938. He was on board the West Virginia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack EM3c Brown’s body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). Em3c Brown’s brother was also on board the USS West Virginia and survived the attack. While at the Department of Defense in January 2012, Chief Rick Stone prepared reports on all of the West Virginia’s MIA’s using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation (RISC) System which listed EM3c Brown as a Most Likely Match to multiple West Virginia “Unknowns” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii, including Unknown X-143. On 13 June 2017, after over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS West Virginia Unknowns. Researchers from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available at the Department of Defense (DoD), continued to research EM3c Brown’s case. In October 2020, EM3c Brown’s family contacted the Foundation for a comprehensive “Family Report” which narrowed the list of Most Likely Matches to only two Punchbowl “Unknowns”, including Unknown X-143. EM3c Brown was recovered from the grave site in the Punchbowl Cemetery indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2012 and his identification by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory was officially announced on 11 May 2021. DPAA confirmed that EM3c Brown was Unknown X-143 on 22 July 2022.
PFC Howard Ralph Dekker was reported as Killed in Action by gunshot wounds to the head and chest on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that PFC Dekker was not an “Unknown” but was buried in Grave 1, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries.” A paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. PFC Dekker was identified in September 2020 from the long lost cemetery row and grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification has not yet been announced by the Department of Defense as of 18 March 2021.
PFC Jack Earl Hill was reported as Killed in Action by gunshot and shrapnel wounds to the head and body on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that PFC Hill was not an “Unknown” but was buried in Grave 30, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries.” A paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. PFC Hill was identified from the long lost cemetery row and grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 18 March 2021.
Private First Class Juan F. Gutierrez, U.S. Army,200th Coast Artillery was captured by the Japanese during the Battle of Bataan and imprisoned in the Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp in the Philippines where he died of illness on 19 November 1942. PFC Gutierrez was buried in a common grave in the camp with 13 other American prisoners. After the war, four individuals were identified from the grave, including PFC Gutierrez, and ten “unknowns” were buried in the Manila American Cemetery. Chief Stone was asked to investigate these cases as a member of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) and prepared a series of Investigative Reports in March 2012 using the RISC System which listed the “Most Likely Matches” match to each of the unknowns recovered from Grave 717 at Cabanatuan which had been interred at the Manila American Cemetery since 1946. In 2013, the family of another Cabanatuan “Unknown” identified by Chief Stone as being buried with PFC Gutierrez filed a federal lawsuit seeking disinterment, which JPAC vigorously opposed. The family prevailed in the suit and all of the Grave 717 “Unknowns” recommended for disinterment by Chief Stone were exhumed in June 2014. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Command finally admitted on 3 March 2021 that PFC Gutierrez had been misidentified and another MIA from Grave 717 had been buried in his place.
SSGT Arthur Edwin Myers was the armorer/gunner of a B-24J Liberator bomber, nicknamed “Gallopin’ Gus”, which crashed on take off from Tarawa on 21 January 1944. While at the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone prepared reports which noted that SSGT Myers was one of five known casualties from two crashes on that date who had been reported recovered on Tarawa in 1946, identified by Army Graves Registration Section (AGRS), and returned to the United States for burial. The remains identified as SSGT Myers were buried in Dresden Cemetery in Dresden, Ohio. Chief Stone’s reports noted that another four were buried as “Unknowns” in the Punchbowl Cemetery, seven remained buried in an undiscovered cemetery on Tarawa, and one was reported to have been lost at sea in the wreckage of his aircraft. In 2016, the U.S. Congress requested a report from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation on the case of the twelve missing fliers which was immediately forwarded. In 2017, a paid contractor found small portions of remains which had been inadvertently left behind by AGRS personnel in 1946. The remains recovered by the contractor were identified as SSGT Myers by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory and buried with his previously recovered remains in Dresden, Ohio on 24 November 2020. SSGT Myers’ re-identification has yet to be announced by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
Fireman 1st Class Howard David Hodges boarded the USS West Virginia as a member of the battleship’s crew on 22 September 1940. He was on board the West Virginia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack F1c Hodges’ body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense in January 2012, Chief Rick Stone prepared reports on all of the West Virginia’s MIA’s using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation (RISC) System which listed F1C Hodges as a Most Likely Match to multiple West Virginia “Unknowns” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii. Researchers from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available at the Department of Defense (DoD), continued to research F1C Hodges’ case which narrowed the list of Most Likely Matches. On 13 June 2017, after over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS West Virginia Unknowns. F1C Hodges was recovered from multiple grave sites in the Punchbowl Cemetery indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2012 and his identification was officially announced by the DoD on 23 October 2020.
Fireman 3rd Class William Leroy Barnett boarded the USS West Virginia as a member of the battleship’s crew on 15 November 1940. He was on board the West Virginia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack F3c Barnett’s body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense in January 2012, Chief Rick Stone prepared reports on all of the West Virginia’s MIA’s using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation (RISC) System which listed F3c Barnett as a Most Likely Match to multiple West Virginia “Unknowns” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii. Researchers from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available at the Department of Defense (DoD), continued to research F3c Barnett’s case which narrowed the list of Most Likely Matches. On 13 June 2017, after over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS West Virginia Unknowns. F3c Barnett was recovered from the Punchbowl Cemetery as indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2012. His identification was officially announced by the DoD on 19 October 2020. After a Foundation request under the Freedom of Information Act, DPAA confirmed that F3c Barnett was X-148. While F3c Barnett was an original “Possible Match” to X-148, the anthropologist who examined X-148 estimated his age as between 24 and 26. F3c Barnett was 21 years old at the time of his death and outside the margin of error to be X-148.
PFC Frank Leroy Athon was reported as Killed in Action by gunshot wounds to the head and chest on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery and determined that PFC Athon was NOT a most likely match to any “Unknown” buried in the Punchbowl. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that PFC Athon was buried in Grave 27, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries.” A paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. PFC Athon was identified from the long lost cemetery row and grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 31 July 2020.
PFC John Paul Langan was reported as Killed in Action by gunshot wounds to the head on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery and determined that PFC Langan was NOT a most likely match to any “Unknown” buried in the Punchbowl. PFC Langan’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation in January 2018 and requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on PFC Langan’s case, which was immediately sent. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 15 July 2020. At the time of the identification announcement, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency stated “He was reported to have been buried in Row D of the East Division Cemetery, later renamed Cemetery 33.” This is not true. PFC Langan was never reported to have been buried in Row D. His exact recovery location is under investigation.
Captain Edward Glenn Walker, Jr. was reported as Killed in Action while a member of E Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. CAPT Walker’s body was reported recovered and identified on Tarawa by American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) personnel in 1946. At his mother’s request, what was believed to be CAPT Walker’s body was returned home for burial in his family plot in Lebanon, Tennessee in 1948. Due to unexplainable biometric discrepancies discovered by the Foundation’s Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC), Foundation investigators have long suspected that misidentifications of Tarawa casualties were committed by AGRS, the Central Identification Laboratory (CILHI), and the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command Laboratory (JPAC). These suspicions were confirmed on 21 March 2019 when the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) identified Captain Edward Glenn Walker, Jr. as “Unknowns” previously buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Using only historical information and minimal biometric data, the Foundation determined that CAPT Walker was a “Most Likely Match” to seven “Unknowns” previously buried in Punchbowl, including X-198. On 26 June 2020, despite a request by the Foundation under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in 2019, DPAA illegally refused to provide any information on Captain Walker’s case. On 17 August 2020, DPAA finally confirmed that CAPT Walker was X-198. Exactly who was misidentified as Captain Walker and buried in his family plot in Tennessee in 1948 was finally confirmed when the Foundation filed another FOIA demand in 2023 and learned that PVT Eugene Parker Miller had been identified by DNA as the remains originally buried in Captain Walker’s grave.
PFC John Michael Fahy was reported as Killed in Action by gunshot wounds to the head on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery and determined that PFC Fahy was NOT a most likely match to any “Unknown” buried in the Punchbowl. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that PFC Fahy was buried in Grave 28, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries.” PFC Fahy’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation in July 2018 and requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on PFC Fahy’s case, which was immediately sent. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. PFC Fahy was identified from the long lost cemetery row and grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 23 June 2020.
PFC Charles Donald Miller was reported as Killed in Action by gunshot wounds to the head and chest on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery and determined that PFC Miller was NOT a most likely match to any “Unknown” buried in the Punchbowl. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that PFC Miller was buried in Grave 11, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. PFC Miller’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation in October 2018 and requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on PFC Miller’s case, which was immediately sent. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. PFC Miller was identified from the long lost cemetery row and grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 26 May 2020.
Private John Loss Hancock was reported as Killed in Action by shrapnel wounds to the head on 23 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that PFC Hancock was not an “Unknown” but was buried in Grave 15, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. PFC Hancock’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation in May 2020 and requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on PFC Hancock’s case. PFC Hancock’s family advised that he has been recovered and identified from the long lost cemetery row and grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was not announced by the Department of Defense until February 2021.
PFC Mervin Delbert Galland was reported as Killed in Action by gunshot wounds to the chest on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery and determined that PFC Galland was NOT a most likely match to any “Unknown” buried in the Punchbowl. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that PFC Galland was buried in Grave 25, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. PFC Galland’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation in June 2013 and August 2016 and requested comprehensive “Family Reports” on PFC Galland’s case, which were immediately sent. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. PFC Galland was identified from the long lost cemetery row and grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 19 May 2020.
PFC Thomas Frank Johnson was reported as Killed in Action by shrapnel wounds to the chest on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery and determined that PFC Johnson was NOT a most likely match to any “Unknown” buried in the Punchbowl. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that PFC Johnson was buried in Grave 17, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. PFC Johnson’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation in June 2016 and requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on PFC Johnson’s case, which were immediately sent. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. PFC Johnson was identified from the long lost cemetery row and grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 8 May 2020.
PVT Howard Elmer Miller was reported as Killed in Action by gunshot wounds to the head on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery and determined that PVT Miller was a biometric match to multiple “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. PVT Miller’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation in August 2013 and requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on PVT Miller’s case. Foundation researchers found and plotted 1943 map coordinates of PVT Miller’s burial on Tarawa and surmised that this was the location of Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. This information was offered to JPAC in 2013 which resulted in no action. It would be another six years before a paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. The discovery confirmed that the grid coordinates of PVT Miller’s burial were the location of Row D. PVT Miller was identified from the long lost cemetery row as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 30 April 2020.
Corporal Raymond John Tuhey was reported as Killed in Action by gunshot wounds to the head and chest on 23 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that CPL Tuhey was not an “Unknown” but was buried in Grave 24, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. CPL Tuhey was identified from the long lost cemetery row and grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 27 April 2020.
PFC Harold William Hayden was reported as Killed in Action by gunshot wounds to the head on 23 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery and determined that PFC Hayden was NOT a most likely match to any “Unknown” buried in the Punchbowl. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that PFC Hayden was buried in Grave 22, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. PFC Hayden’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation in June 2013 and later in 2014 and requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on PFC Hayden’s case, which were immediately sent. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. PFC Hayden was identified from the long lost cemetery row and grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 27 April 2020.
PFC John Eddy Gillen was reported as Killed in Action by multiple shrapnel and gunshot wounds to the chest on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery and determined that PFC Gillen was NOT a most likely match to any “Unknown” buried in the Punchbowl. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that PFC Gillen was buried in Grave 6, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. PFC Gillen’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation in April 2016 and requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on PFC Gillen’s case, which was immediately sent. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. PFC Gillen was identified from the long lost cemetery row and grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 27 April 2020.
1st Lieutenant Hugh Dorian Fricks was reported as Killed in Action by grenade shrapnel to the head and chest on 23 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that LT Fricks was not an “Unknown” but was buried in Grave 20, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. LT Fricks’ family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation in January 2016 and requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on LT Fricks’ case, which was immediately sent. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. LT Fricks was identified from the long lost cemetery row and grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 27 April 2020.
Sergeant Fred Farris was reported as Killed in Action on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa by multiple shrapnel wounds. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery using a method created by Chief Stone known as the Random Incident Correlation System (RISC). Chief Stone determined that SGT Farris s was a “Most Likely Match” to only three “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery, including X-234. Foundation researchers continued to investigate SGT Farris’ case and the list of “Most Likely Matches” was narrowed to just two “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl including X-234. SGT Farris was officially identified as Unknown X-234 by the Department of Defense on 17 April 2020 .
PVT Jacob Cruz was reported as Killed in Action by gunshot wounds to the head on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery and determined that PVT Cruz was NOT a Punchbowl Unknown. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that PVT Cruz was not an “Unknown” but was buried in Grave 29, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. PVT Cruz was identified from the long lost cemetery row and grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 17 April 2020.
SGT George Raymond Reeser was reported as Killed in Action by gunshot wounds to the head on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. SGT Reeser’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation in June 2016 and requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on SGT Reeser’s case. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that SGT Reeser was NOT an “Unknown” but was buried in Grave 2, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. SGT Reeser was identified from the long lost cemetery row and grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 16 April 2020.
PFC John Wilson Hoffman, Jr. was reported as Killed in Action by gunshot wounds to the chest on 23 November 1943 on Tarawa. PFC Hoffman’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation in June 2017 and requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on PFC Hoffman’s case. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that PFC Hoffman was NOT an “Unknown” but was buried in Grave 19, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. PFC Hoffman was identified from the long lost cemetery row and grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 16 April 2020.
PVT Jack Rudolph Stambaugh was reported as Killed in Action by gunshot and sword wounds on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. PVT Stambaugh, the self-styled “Fightin’ Fool from Bowie, Texas” was awarded the Navy Cross for herorism on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that PVT Stambaugh was buried in Grave 14, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. PVT Stambaugh was identified from the long lost cemetery row and grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 15 April 2020.
SGT Donald Deloy Stoddard was reported as Killed in Action by shrapnel wounds to the head on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. SGT Stoddard’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation in April 2013 and requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on SGT Stoddard’s case. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that SGT Stoddard was a biometric match to some “Unknowns” the preponderance of the evidence indicated that he was buried in Grave 18, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. SGT Stoddard was identified from the long lost cemetery row and grave as indicated by Foundation research. His official identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 6 April 2020.
PFC Robert Donald Jenks was reported as Killed in Action by shrapnel wounds to the head and chest on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. PFC Jenk’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation in December 2017 and requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on PFC Jenk’s case. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that PFC Jenks was NOT an “Unknown” but was buried in Grave 23, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. PFC Jenks was identified from the long lost cemetery row on 4 February 2019 but his official identification was not posted on-line by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency until 1 April 2020.
PFC Elden Richard Baumbach was reported as Killed in Action by a bayonet wound to the chest on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. PFC Baumbach’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation in September 2016 and requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on PFC Baumbach’s case. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) to compare the MIA’s from Tarawa to all the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Later, Foundation researchers confirmed that PFC Baumbach was NOT an “Unknown” but was buried in Grave 13, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D on Tarawa in 2019. PFC Baumbach was identified from the long lost cemetery row and his official identification was posted on-line on 1 April 2020.
SSGT John Rowland Busch was the assistant engineer of a B-24J Liberator bomber, nicknamed “Miss Bee Haven”, which crashed on take off from Tarawa on 21 January 1944. While at the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, Chief Stone prepared reports which noted that SSGT Busch was one of five known casualties from two crashes on that date who had been reported recovered on Tarawa in 1946, identified by Army Graves Registration Section, and returned to the United States for burial. The remains identified as SSGT Busch were buried in Acacia Park Cemetery in New York. Chief Stone’s reports noted that another four were buried as “Unknowns” in the Punchbowl Cemetery, seven remained buried in an undiscovered cemetery on Tarawa, and one (2nd LT George Johnson) was reported to have been lost at sea in the wreckage of his aircraft. In 2016, the U.S. Congress requested a report from the Foundation on the case of the twelve missing fliers which was immediately forwarded. In 2016/2017, DPAA finally decided to act on Chief Stone’s recommendations and exhumed 94 “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl Cemetery. In a bizarre case of mis-identification, SSGT Busch was identified from one of the Unknowns (X-13). His mis-identification was quietly posted on the DPAA web site with a listed identification date of 29 April 2019. The remains previously identified as SSGT Busch and buried in New York were exhumed in November 2019 and identified by DNA as LT George McCullen Johnson.
Seaman 1st Class Carl Spencer Johnson boarded the USS West Virginia as a member of the battleship’s crew on 24 February 1940. He was on board the West Virginia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack S1c Johnson’s body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense in January 2012, Chief Stone prepared reports on all of the West Virginia’s MIA’s using the RISC System which listed S1c Johnson as a Most Likely Match to only three West Virginia “Unknowns” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu including one designated as Unknown X-110. In December 2016, S1c Johnson’s family contacted the Foundation for a comprehensive “Family Report”, which was immediately provided. Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available at the Department of Defense (DoD), continued to research S1c Johnson’s case which narrowed the list of Most Likely Matches to just one “Best Match”, Unknown X-110. On 13 June 2017, after over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS West Virginia Unknowns. S1c Johnson was recovered from the grave site of Unknown X-110 in the Punchbowl Cemetery as indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2012. S1c Johnson was identified by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory as Unknown X-110 on 19 August 2019 although his identification was not officially announced by DoD until 26 August 2020.
Fireman 2nd Class William Paul Kubinec boarded the USS West Virginia as a member of the battleship’s crew on 24 July 1941. He was on board the West Virginia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack F2c Kubinec’s body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense (DoD) in January 2012, Chief Stone prepared reports on all of the West Virginia’s MIA’s using the RISC System which listed F2c Kubinec as a Most Likely Match to West Virginia “Unknown X-153” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu. Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available at the Department of Defense (DoD), continued to research F2c Kubinec’s case which confirmed Unknown X-153 as a Most Likely Match. On 13 June 2017, after over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS West Virginia Unknowns. F2c Kubinec was recovered from the grave site in the Punchbowl Cemetery indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2012 and his identification was officially announced by the DoD on 28 January 2020. A year later, upon demand using the Freedom of Information Act, DPAA finally provided documents confirming that F2c Kubinec was “Unknown X-153.”
Gunnery Sergeant Arthur Branson Summers was reported as Killed in Action by a gunshot wounds to the head and chest on 23 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) and determined that GYSGT Summers was NOT a most likely match to any “Unknown” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Researchers from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation continued to investigate GYSGT Summers’ case and determined that he was buried in Grave 21, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D in Cemetery 33 on Tarawa in 2019. GYSGT Summers was identified from the long lost cemetery row and his official identification was announced by DPAA to have occurred on on 17 October 2019.
2nd Lieutenant George McCullen Johnson was the co-pilot of a B-24 Liberator bomber, nicknamed “Gallopin’ Gus”, which crashed on take off from Tarawa on 21 January 1944. While at the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, Chief Stone prepared reports which noted that 2nd LT Johnson was one of twelve known casualties from two crashes on that date who had not yet been reported as recovered. Chief Stone’s reports also noted that four were buried as “Unknowns” in the Punchbowl Cemetery. SSGT John Busch was one of five known casualties from two crashes on that date who had been recovered on Tarawa in 1946, identified by the Army Graves Registration Service, and returned to the United States for burial. The remains identified as SSGT Busch were buried in Acacia Park Cemetery in New York. In 2016, the U.S. Congress requested a report from the Foundation on the case of the twelve missing fliers which was immediately forwarded. In 2016/2017, DPAA finally decided to act on Chief Stone’s recommendations and exhumed 94 “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl Cemetery. In a bizarre case of mis-identification, a set of remains recovered as Unknown X-13 from the Punchbowl in 2017 was identified as SSGT Busch. His mis-identification was quietly posted on the DPAA web site with a listed identification date of 29 April 2019. The remains previously identified as SSGT Busch and buried in New York were exhumed and determined to be 2nd LT George Johnson on 16 December 2019.
PFC Edward Augustine Nalazek was reported “Killed in Action” due to gunshot wounds on 21 November 1943 on Tarawa. While at JPAC, Chief Stone investigated all of the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu and concluded that PFC Nalazek was not one of the “Unknowns” buried there. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to the Department of Defense noting PFC Nalazek’s likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. In July 2019, the Foundation received a “Family Report” request from PFC Nalazek’s family which noted his likely recovery from Cemetery 27 in 2015 and that PFC Nalazek was awaiting identification by the Department of Defense. PFC Nalazek’s remains recovered from Cemetery 27 were combined by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory with bone fragments recovered in 1967 from the general area of Cemetery 27 and his identification was officially announced on 21 November 2019.
Fireman 1st Class Hadley Irwin Heavin boarded the USS West Virginia as a member of the battleship’s crew on 31 December 1938. He was on board the West Virginia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack F1c Heavin’s body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense (DoD) in January 2012, Chief Stone prepared reports on all of the West Virginia’s MIA’s using the RISC System which listed F1c Heavin as a Most Likely Match to multiple West Virginia “Unknowns” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu, including X-155. Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available at the Department of Defense (DoD), continued to research F1c Heavin’s case which narrowed the list of Most Likely Matches to include Unknown X-155. On 13 June 2017, after over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS West Virginia Unknowns. F1c Heavin was recovered from the grave site in the Punchbowl Cemetery indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2012 and his identification was officially announced by the DoD on 20 November 2019. On August 7, 2020, DPAA finally admitted that F1c Heavin was X-155.
Fireman 3rd Class Welborn Lee Ashby boarded the USS West Virginia as a member of the battleship’s crew on 24 September 1940. He was on board the West Virginia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack F3c Ashby’s body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense (DoD) in January 2012, Chief Stone prepared reports on all of the West Virginia’s MIA’s using the RISC System which listed F3c Ashby s as a Most Likely Match to multiple West Virginia “Unknowns” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu. Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available at the Department of Defense (DoD), continued to research F3c Ashby’s case which narrowed the list of Most Likely Matches to one Unknown who had been recovered from the West Virginia and initially buried on 12 December 1941 in Halawa Naval Cemetery before being later moved to the Punchbowl Cemetery as an “Unknown.” On 13 June 2017, after over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS West Virginia Unknowns. Partial remains of F3c Ashby were recovered from the grave site for Unknown X-60 in the Punchbowl Cemetery indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2012 and compared to remains described in a file (Unknown X-48), which was one of four USS West Virginia Unknown files which the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command had lost in 2012 and was not available for investigation. F3c Ashby’s identification was confirmed by the Armed Forced DNA Identification Laboratory and it was officially announced by the DoD on 20 November 2019.
Private First Class Alfred Edwards was reported as Killed in Action by on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa by a gunshot wound to the chest. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery using a method created by Chief Stone known as the Random Incident Correlation System (RISC). Chief Stone determined that PFC Edwards was a “Most Likely Match” to four “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. PFC Edwards’ family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation and requested “Family Reports” on his case, which were immediately completed and sent in October 2018 and February 2019. Foundation researchers continued to investigate PFC Edwards’ case and the list of “Most Likely Matches” was narrowed to just two “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl, Unknowns X-203 and X-209. IN AN INCREDIBLY STUNNING VALIDATION OF THE RISC SYSTEM CREATED BY CHIEF STONE AND UTILIZED BY FOUNDATION RESEARCHERS, PFC Edwards was officially identified as BOTH Unknown X-203 and X-209 by the Department of Defense on 27 August 2019. After a review of PFC Edwards’ DPPA Laboratory Identification Report received under a FOIA demand on 7 August 2020, Foundation investigators confirmed that PFC Edwards was X-203. However, only one bone from PFC Edwards was confirmed by DNA to be X-209. In addition, investigators found several discrepancies between PFC Edwards and X-209. Based on the DPAA Laboratory’s dental examination of the remains, PFC Edwards was somehow able to grow new pristine teeth after his death to replace two very large carious molars that he had when he enlisted. Based on the DPAA Laboratory’s extremely poor and inept past performance, Foundation investigators have decided to re-open the case of X-209.
Private First Class Charles Eugene Wallace was reported as Killed in Action by a gunshot wounds to the head and chest on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC). Researchers from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation continued to investigate PFC Wallace’s case and determined that he was buried in Grave 16, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D in Cemetery 33 on Tarawa in 2019. PFC Wallace was identified from the long lost cemetery row and his official identification was announced by DPAA to have occurred on on 18 September 2019.
Corporal Thomas Harley Cooper was reported as Killed in Action on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa by gunshot wounds. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery using a method created by Chief Stone known as the Random Incident Correlation System (RISC). On 5 October 2011, Chief Stone determined that CPL Cooper was a “Most Likely Match” to “Unknown CILHI 0002-80.” CPL Cooper’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation and requested a “Family Report” on his case, which was immediately completed and sent on 8 April 2013. Foundation researchers continued to investigate CPL Cooper’s case and the last update confirmed him as a “Most Likely Match” to “Unknown CILHI 0002-80. ” His official identification as “Unknown CILHI 0002-80” was announced by the Department of Defense on 4 November 2019. CPL Cooper was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on 10 March 2022.
Fireman 1st Class Bethel Elbert Walters boarded the USS West Virginia as a member of the battleship’s crew on 18 January 1941. He was on board the West Virginia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack F1c Walters’ body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense (DoD) on January 2012, Chief Stone prepared reports on all of the West Virginia’s MIA’s using the RISC System which listed F1c Walters as a Most Likely Match to West Virginia “Unknown X-160” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu. Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available at the Department of Defense (DoD), continued to research F1c Walters’ case and on 17 January 2017, F1c Walters’ family requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on his case which confirmed that F1c Walters was a Most Likely Match to Unknown X-160. On 13 June 2017, after over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS West Virginia Unknowns. F1c Walters was recovered from the grave site in the Punchbowl Cemetery indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2012. F1c Walters’ identification as Unknown X-160 was confirmed by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory and officially announced on 30 October 2019.
Sergeant Jerome Bernard Morris was reported as Killed in Action by a shrapnel wounds to the chest on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC). Researchers from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation continued to investigate SGT Morris’ case and determined that SGT Morris was buried in Grave 7, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D in Cemetery 33 on Tarawa in 2019. SGT Morris was identified from the long lost cemetery row and his official identification was announced on 29 October 2019.
Private Channing Robert Whitaker was reported as Killed in Action by a shrapnel wounds to the head and chest on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties using the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System (RISC) and determined that PVT Whitaker was NOT a most likely match to any “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. PVT Whitaker’s family contacted the Foundation in August 2015 and requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on PVT Whitaker’s case. Foundation researchers determined that PVT Whitaker was buried in Grave 8, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D in Cemetery 33 on Tarawa in 2019. PVT Whitaker was identified from the long lost cemetery row and his official identification was announced on 25 October 2019.
Private First Class Joseph Francis Boschetti was reported as Killed in Action by on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa by a gunshot wound. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery using a method created by Chief Stone known as the Random Incident Correlation System (RISC). Chief Stone determined that PFC Boschetti was a “Possible Match” to “Unknown X-20” on 9 August 2011 but the age and weight estimations made by the Army Central Identification Laboratory of X-20 were in conflict with PFC Boschetti’s physical characteristics. PFC Boschetti’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation and requested a “Family Report” on his case, which was immediately completed and sent on 31 January 2018. Foundation researchers continued to investigate PFC Boschetti’s case and his official identification as X-20 was announced by the Department of Defense on 21 October 2019.
Private First Class Quentin Weldon McCall was reported as Killed in Action by a gunshot wound to the head on 23 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties. PFC McCall’s family contacted the Foundation in 2017 and requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on PFC McCall’s case. Foundation researchers determined that PFC McCall was buried in Grave 5, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D in Cemetery 33 on Tarawa in 2019. PFC McCall was identified from the long lost cemetery row and his official identification was announced on 17 October 2019.
Private First Class Jack Benson Van Zandt was reported as Killed in Action by a gunshot wound to the head on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties. PFC Van Zandt’s family contacted the Foundation in 2016 and requested a comprehensive “Family Report” on PFC Van Zandt’s case. Foundation researchers determined that PFC Van Zandt was buried in Grave 4, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D in Cemetery 33 on Tarawa in 2019. PFC Van Zandt was identified from the long lost cemetery row and his official identification was announced on 3 October 2019.
Private First Class Norman Alfred Buan was reported as Killed in Action by a gunshot wound to the head on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa . In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of the Navy, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery using a method created by Chief Stone known as the Random Incident Correlation System (RISC). RISC determined that PFC Buan was a “Most Likely Match” to two “Unknowns.” PFC Buan’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation and requested a “Family Report” on his case, which was immediately completed and sent on 7 April 2018. Foundation researchers determined that PFC Buan was originally buried in Grave 77, Row 2, Cemetery 26 on Tarawa. The area around Cemetery 26 was re-dug by a paid contractor in 2014 and a few bones left behind by American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) personnel in 1946 were recovered. A toe bone was identified by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory as belonging to PFC Buan. Foundation researchers have continued to investigate PFC Buan’s case and established his status as a match to just one “Unknown” recovered from Cemetery 26 in 1946 and re-buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. The rest of PFC Buan’s body is likely concentrated in this “Unknown” which has yet to be identified. However, PFC Buan’s official identification based on recovery of his toe was announced by DPAA on 3 October 2019.
PFC Louis Wiesehan was reported “Killed in Action” by gunshot wounds on 21 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties. The Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation continued to investigate PFC Wiesehan’s case noting that PFC Wiesehan was not a most likely match to any “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to the Department of Defense noting PFC Wiesehan’s possible burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PFC Wiesehan was recovered from this site on Tarawa and his identification was officially announced on 1 October 2019 although information about his recovery was not released by DPAA until 10 January 2020.
Private First Class John Richard Bayens was reported as Killed in Action on 23 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties. PFC Bayens’ family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation in 2013 and 2016 requesting a comprehensive “Family Report.” Foundation researchers determined that PFC Bayens was buried in Grave 3, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D in Cemetery 33 on Tarawa in 2019. PFC Bayens was identified from the long lost cemetery row and his official identification was announced on 1 October 2019.
1st Lieutenant Justin Green Mills was reported as Killed in Action on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa by a gunshot wound to the head. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of the Navy, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery and determined that LT Mills was a “Most Likely Match” to only two “Unknowns.” LT Mills’ family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation and requested a “Family Report” on his case, which was immediately completed and sent on 20 March 2017. Researchers determined that LT Mills was originally buried in Grave 49, Row 2, Cemetery 26 on Tarawa. Foundation researchers continued to investigate LT Mills’ case and established his status as a match to two “Unknowns” recovered by American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) from Cemetery 26 in 1946. The area around Cemetery 26 was re-dug in 2014 and right leg bones that were left behind by AGRS personnel in 1946 was recovered. The few bones left behind in Cemetery 26 were identified by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory as belonging to LT Mills. His official identification was announced on 26 September 2019. The “Unknown” from the Punchbowl Cemetery that is likely the remains of LT Mills has yet to be identified.
Private First Class Michael Kocopy was reported as Killed in Action on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa by a gunshot wound to the head. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. PFC Kocopy’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation and requested a “Family Report” on his case, which was immediately completed and sent on 26 March 2014. Researchers determined that PFC Kocopy was likely buried in Grave 44, Row 2, Cemetery 26 on Tarawa. Foundation researchers continued to investigate PFC Kocopy’s case and established his status as a match to three “Unknowns” recovered by American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) from Cemetery 26 in 1946. The area around Cemetery 26 was re-dug in 2014 and bones that were left behind by AGRS personnel in 1946 were recovered. PFC Kocopy’s official identification as an original burial in Cemetery 26 was announced on 9 September 2019.
Sergeant Duane Oliver Cole was reported as Killed in Action on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa by a gunshot wound. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. SGT Cole’s family contacted the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation and requested a “Family Report” on his case, which was immediately completed and sent on 1 August 2017. Researchers determined that SGT Cole was likely buried in Grave 76, Row 2, Cemetery 26 on Tarawa. Foundation researchers continued to investigate SGT Cole’s case and established his status as a match to two “Unknowns” recovered by American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) from Cemetery 26 in 1946. The area around Cemetery 26 was re-dug in 2014 and one bone that was left behind by AGRS personnel in 1946 was recovered and identified on 3 September 2019 by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory as belonging to SGT Cole. Foundation investigators strongly believe that the majority of SGT Cole’s remains are one of the two Punchbowl Unknowns previously listed a match by the Foundation.
Fireman 2nd Class Albert Renner boarded the USS West Virginia as a member of the battleship’s crew on 18 May 1941. He was on board the West Virginia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack F2c Renner’s body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense (DoD) in January 2012, Chief Stone prepared reports on all of the West Virginia’s MIA’s using the RISC System which listed F2c Renner as a Most Likely Match to four West Virginia “Unknowns” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu, including Unknown X-109. Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available at the Department of Defense (DoD), continued to research F2c Renner’s case and on 7 September 2015 narrowed the list of Most Likely Matches to be F2c Renner to only two Punchbowl “Unknowns”, including X-109. On 13 June 2017, after over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS West Virginia Unknowns. F2c Renner was recovered from the grave site in the Punchbowl Cemetery indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2012 and his identification as Unknown X-109 was officially announced by the DoD on 27 August 2019.
PFC Raymond Warren was reported “Killed in Action” due to a friendly fire on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. While at JPAC, Chief Stone investigated all of the “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu. Later, Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or to “non-profit” government contractors paid millions in taxpayer dollars to recover remains, continued to research PFC Warren’s case concluding that he was not a Punchbowl Unknown. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to the Department of Defense noting PFC Warren’s likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PFC Warren was recovered from this site on Tarawa and his identification was officially announced on 19 August 2019.
Private Edwin Francis Benson was reported as Killed in Action due to a gunshot wound to the head on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 12 October 2011, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, submitted an Investigative Report to JPAC which determined that PVT Benson was a “Most Likely Match” to Unknown X-155 buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu in 1947. Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or to “non-profit” government contractors paid millions in taxpayer dollars to recover remains, continued to research PFC Benson’s case. In 2017, PVT Benson’s family requested and was provided a comprehensive “Family Report” on PVT Benson’s case. After over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone’s recommendations for disinterment and identification of all of the Tarawa Punchbowl “Unknowns”. Despite the DPAA Laboratory’s failure to note significant discrepancies between PVT Benson’s dental chart and the dental profile of remains examined by the DPAA odontologist, PVT Benson was officially identified by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory on 13 August 2019 and he was later confirmed as Punchbowl Unknown X-155.
Private First Class Joseph Robert Livermore was reported as Killed in Action on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties and determined that PFC Livermore was NOT buried as an “Unknown” in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Foundation researchers determined that PFC Livermore was buried in Grave 9, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D in Cemetery 33 on Tarawa in 2019. PFC Livermore was identified from the long lost cemetery row and his official identification was announced on 31 July 2019.
Private Charlie M. Waid, U.S. Army, 31st Infantry Regiment, Medical Detachment, was captured by the Japanese during the Battle of Bataan and imprisoned in the Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp in the Philippines where he died of illness on 19 November 1942. PVT Waid was buried in a common grave in the camp with 13 other American prisoners. After the war, four individuals were identified from the grave and ten “unknowns” were buried in the Manila American Cemetery. Chief Stone was asked to investigate these cases as a member of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) and prepared a series of Investigative Reports in March 2012 using the RISC System which listed PVT Waid as a “Most Likely Match” match to “Unknown X-822” (redesignated as X-4852) recovered from Grave 717 at Cabanatuan. X-822 had been interred at the Manila American Cemetery since 1946. In 2013, the family of another Cabanatuan “Unknown” identified by Chief Stone as being buried with PVT Waid filed a federal lawsuit seeking disinterment, which JPAC vigorously opposed. The family prevailed in the suit and all of the Grave 717 “Unknowns” recommended for disinterment by Chief Stone were exhumed in June 2014. As previously listed by Chief Stone in 2012, PVT Waid was identified “Unknown X-822” by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory on July 29, 2019.
Private William Edward Rambo was killed by a gunshot wound on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to the Department of Defense noting PVT Rambo’s likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from PVT Rambo’s family which was forwarded on 30 October 2016 citing PVT Rambo’s likely burial on Tarawa in Cemetery 27, Row 1, Grave 37. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PVT Rambo was recovered from Cemetery 27, Row 1, Grave 37 and his identification was announced on 16 July 2019.
Private First Class Kenneth William Likens was reported as Killed in Action on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties and determined that PFC Likens was NOT buried as an “Unknown” in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Foundation researchers determined that PFC Likens was buried in Grave 12, Row D, Cemetery 33 on Tarawa, which was known as one of Tarawa’s “Lost Cemeteries”. A paid contractor finally discovered Row D in Cemetery 33 on Tarawa in 2019. PFC Likens was the first missing Marine identified from the long lost cemetery row and his official identification was announced on 1 July 2019.
Private First Class John Taylor Burke was reported as Missing in Action on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties who were buried as “Unknowns” in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or their contractors, continued to investigate PFC Burke’s case and provided a comprehensive Family Report, upon request, to PFC Burke’s family in April 2016. On May 28, 2019, the Department of Defense announced that PFC Burke had been identified. The Foundation believed that PFC Burke was Tarawa Unknown X-98 buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery; however, DPAA refused to release any information of PFC Burke’s recovery or even if he was an Unknown. On 8 August 2019, the Foundation obtained the Armed Forces Medical Examiner Summary Report which confirmed that PFC Burke was Unknown X-98.
Click here to listen to NO HOME FOR HEROES Podcast Episode 30 for more information on PFC Burke
Private First Class Royal Lawrence Waltz was reported as Missing in Action on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties who were buried as “Unknowns” in the Punchbowl Cemetery. On 12 September 2011, Chief Stone submitted an official report to JPAC listing PFC Waltz as a “Most Likely Match” to Unknown X-228. Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or their contractors, continued to investigate PFC Waltz’ case and provided a comprehensive Family Report, upon request, to PFC Waltz’ family in 2017 confirming PFC Waltz as a Most Likely Match to “Unknown X-228” buried in the Punchbowl. On May 15, 2019, the Department of Defense announced that PFC Waltz had been identified as a Punchbowl “Unknown”. After filing a formal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the DoD, the Foundation received documents from DPAA on 13 September 2019 which confirmed that Unknown X-228 had been identified by DNA as PFC Waltz.
Click here to listen to NO HOME FOR HEROES Podcast Episode 15 for more information on PFC Waltz
Staff Sergeant Wesley Lee Kroenung, Jr. was a combat photographer reported as Killed in Action due to shrapnel and gunshot wounds to the head on 20 November 1943 and buried in Division Cemetery 4 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties who were buried as “Unknowns” in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or their contractors, continued to investigate SSGT Kroenung’s case and determined that he was a most likely match to only one Punchbowl “Unknown”, designated as X-103. On May 9, 2019, the Department of Defense announced that SSGT Kroenung had been identified and later confirmed that he was “Unknown X-103 ” recovered from the Punchbowl.
Platoon Sergeant George Ernest Trotter was reported as Killed in Action due to gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 and buried in Cemetery 26 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties who were buried as “Unknowns” in the Punchbowl Cemetery and determined that PLSGT Trotter was a possible match to two “Unknowns.” Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or their contractors, continued to investigate PLSGT Trotter’s case and determined that he was a most likely match to Punchbowl “Unknown X-55.” On May 9, 2019, the Department of Defense announced that PLSGT Trotter had been identified and later confirmed that he was “Unknown X-55” recovered from the Punchbowl Cemetery.
Fireman 3rd Class Harold Kendall Costill boarded the USS West Virginia as a member of the battleship’s crew on 4 August 1941. He was on board the West Virginia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack F3c Costill’s body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense (DoD) in January 2012, Chief Stone prepared reports on all of the West Virginia’s MIA’s using the RISC System which listed F3c Costill as a Most Likely Match to only one West Virginia “Unknown” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu. Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available at the Department of Defense (DoD), continued to research F3c Costill’s case and, upon request, prepared a comprehensive “Family Report” to F3c Costill’s family on 7 September 2015 which confirmed his status a Most Likely Match to only one Punchbowl “Unknown.” On 13 June 2017, after over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS West Virginia Unknowns. F3c Costill was recovered from the Punchbowl as indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2012 and his identification by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory was officially announced by the DoD on 19 April 2019. Almost two years later and under a FOIA request, the DoD finally acknowledged that F3c Costill was Unknown X-126A whose file had been missing from during the initial investigation of F3c Costill’s case in 2012.
Staff Sergeant Vincent Jerome Rogers, Jr. was the assistant radio operator of a B-24 Liberator bomber, nicknamed “Miss Bee Haven”, which crashed on take off from Tarawa on 21 January 1944. While at the Department of Defense on 3 August 2011, Chief Stone prepared reports which noted that SSGT Rogers was one of eleven known recovered casualties from two crashes on that date and identified him as a “Most Likely Match” to Unknown X-12 buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. In 2014, the Foundation provided research material to the March Field Air Museum in California for an exhibit about SSGT Rogers. In 2016, the U.S. Congress requested a report from the Foundation on the case of the eleven missing fliers which was immediately forwarded. The Congressional Report noted that SSGT Rogers had been recovered on Tarawa by the Army Graves Registration Service on 19 March 1946 but could not be identified. The Congressional Report gave the location of SSGT Rogers’ grave site where he was buried as Unknown X-12 in the Punchbowl Cemetery on 23 March 1949. SSGT Rogers was recovered as Unknown X-12 on 20 November 2016 at the Punchbowl Cemetery site indicated by Foundation research. His identification was officially announced by the Department of Defense on 1 April 2019 as a field recovery on Tarawa made by a government contractor paid by DPAA. The Foundation notified DPAA of the error and it was confirmed on 29 April 2019 that SSGT Rogers was actually Unknown X-12 recovered from the Punchbowl .
Staff Sergeant Carl Melvin Shaffer was the radio operator of a B-24 Liberator bomber, nicknamed “Gallopin’ Gus”, which crashed on take off from Tarawa on 21 January 1944. While at the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, Chief Stone prepared reports which noted that SSGT Shaffer was one of eleven known recovered casualties from two crashes on that date. Chief Stone’s reports noted that four were buried as “Unknowns” in the Punchbowl and seven remained buried in an undiscovered cemetery on Tarawa. In 2016, the U.S. Congress requested a report from the Foundation on the case of the eleven missing fliers which was immediately forwarded. The Congressional Report listed the seven aircrew casualties who were still buried on Tarawa, including SSGT Shaffer, and gave the location of their grave site. In 2017, the Foundation received an “Investigative Report” request from SSGT Shaffer’s home town in Pottstown, Pennsylvania which confirmed that Carl Shaffer remained buried on Tarawa in Cemetery 33, Plot 13, Row 2, Grave Number 5. SSGT Shaffer was recovered from the site indicated by Foundation research and his identification was officially announced on 25 February 2019.
1st Lieutenant Howard Thomas Lurcott was the pilot of a B-24 Liberator bomber, nicknamed “Gallopin’ Gus”, which crashed on take off from Tarawa on 21 January 1944. While at the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, Chief Stone prepared reports which noted that 1st LT Lurcott was one of eleven known recovered casualties from two crashes on that date. Chief Stone’s reports noted that four were buried as “Unknowns” in the Punchbowl and seven remained buried in an undiscovered cemetery on Tarawa. In 2016, the U.S. Congress requested a report from the Foundation on the case of the eleven missing fliers which was immediately forwarded. The Congressional Report listed the seven aircrew casualties who were still buried on Tarawa and gave the location of their grave site. 1st LT Lurcott was recovered as Unknown X-15 from the Punchbowl as indicated by Foundation research and his identification was officially announced on 31 January 2019.
John Owen Morris was a member of an aircraft service unit stationed on Tarawa after the battle. On 16 December 1943, John Morris was struck in the chest and immediately killed by the accidental discharge of a machine gun that was being tested by a Marine. While at the Department of Defense (DoD) in 2011/2012, Chief Stone prepared reports on all of the Tarawa MIA’s. Foundation researchers, using advanced investigative techniques and technologies not available at DoD or to the government contractors paid to recover remains, continued to research AMM1c Morris’ case. In 2013, the Foundation determined that John Morris remained buried on Tarawa in Cemetery 33, Plot 13, Row 1, Grave Number 17. AMM1c Morris was finally recovered in 2017 from the site indicated by Foundation research and his identification was officially announced by DoD on 14 November 2018.
PVT Fred Evert Freet was killed by a gunshot wound on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to the Department of Defense noting PVT Freet’s likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from PVT Freet’s family which was forwarded on 14 February 2014 citing PVT Freet’s likely burial on Tarawa in Cemetery 27, Row 1, Grave 2. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PVT Freet was recovered from Cemetery 27, Row 1, Grave 2 and his identification was announced on October 30, 2018.
PFC William Edward Brandenburg was reported as Killed in Action due to gunshot wounds to the abdomen on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties who were buried as “Unknowns” in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or their contractors, continued to investigate PFC Brandenburg’s case and determined that PFC Brandenburg was a Most Likely Match to Punchbowl “Unknown X-74”. On 29 October 2018 the Department of Defense announced that PFC Brandenburg had been identified. In January 2019 the Foundation confirmed that PFC Brandenburg was Unknown X-74.
F1c Angelo Michael Gabriele boarded the USS West Virginia as a member of the battleship’s crew on 29 October 1940. He was on board the West Virginia when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. After the attack F1c Gabriele’s body could not be identified and he was listed as “Missing in Action” (MIA). While at the Department of Defense (DoD) in January 2012, Chief Stone prepared reports on all of the West Virginia’s MIA’s using the RISC System which listed F1c Gabriele as a possible match to “Halawa Unknown X-136” buried the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu. Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available at the Department of Defense (DoD), continued to research F1c Gabriele’s case and upgraded F1c Gabriele’s status as a Most Likely Match to Unknown X-136. In 2017, after over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone recommendations and began disinterring all of the USS West Virginia Unknowns. F1c Gabriele was recovered from the grave site indicated by Chief Stone’s research in 2012 and his identification was officially announced by the DoD on 25 October 2018. On 8 March 2019, DPAA confirmed that Halawa Unknown X-136 was F1c Gabriele.
Click here to listen to NO HOME FOR HEROES Podcast Episode 10 for more information on F1c Gabriele
Elvis Nelson Spotts was a “Wiper” on board the SS Cape Isabel delivering supplies to Tarawa after the battle. On 22 February 1944, Elvis Spotts was killed by accidental electrocution while performing maintenance activities on board the transport ship. While at the Department of Defense (DoD) in 2011/2012, Chief Stone prepared reports on all of the Tarawa MIA’s. Foundation researchers, using advanced investigative techniques and technologies not available at DoD or to the government contractors paid to recover remains, continued to research Wiper Spotts’ case. In 2013, the Foundation determined that Elvis Spotts remained buried on Tarawa in Cemetery 33, Plot 13, Row 3, Grave Number 16. Merchant Marine Spotts was recovered from the site indicated by Foundation research in 2017. His identification was officially announced by DoD on 24 October 2018 despite the fact that the DPAA Laboratory could not locate the dental records for Merchant Marine Spotts to compare to the remains recovered on Tarawa. Foundation researchers had obtained Spotts’ dental records from the National Personnel Records Center in 2016 and Foundation investigators were able to use these records to confirm the identification of Merchant Marine Spotts.
SGT Dwight Wade Randall was originally reported as Killed in Action on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 14 October 2011, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated the case of Tarawa “Unknown X-162” using the RISC System and determined that SGT Randall was a possible match to “Unknown X-162”, buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu. The Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or their contractors, continued to investigate SGT Randall’s case. A comprehensive report was provided upon request to SGT Randall’s family in September 2013. Based on new information obtained in 2014, SGT Randall was upgraded to a “Most Likely Match” to X-162. After over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone’s recommendations for disinterment and identification of all of the Tarawa Punchbowl “Unknowns” in October 2016. In September 2017, the Foundation provided SGT Randall’s family with an updated Family Report which confirmed SGT Randall as a “Most Likely Match” to X-162. In October 2018, the USMC confirmed that SGT Randall was Punchbowl Unknown X-162.
PFC Michael Leo Salerno was originally reported as Missing in Action on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 14 December 2011, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, submitted an official investigative report which listed PFC Salerno as a possible match to Unknown X-267, buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or their contractors, continued to investigate PFC Salerno’s case and determined that PFC Salerno was a most likely match to only one Punchbowl “Unknown”: X-267. On 13 November, 2018 the Department of Defense confirmed that PFC Salerno had been identified as Unknown X-267 recovered from the Punchbowl Cemetery in 2016.
S2c Deward William Duncan, Jr., was a member of a Standard Landing Craft Unit on Tarawa after the battle. On 12 January 1944, S2c Duncan was killed by bomb fragments to his shoulder and neck during a nighttime attack by Japanese aircraft. While at the Department of Defense (DoD) in 2011/2012, Chief Stone prepared reports which noted that S2c Duncan was not a most likely match to any Tarawa casualties who were buried as “Unknowns” in the Punchbowl Cemetery in Hawaii. Foundation researchers, using advanced investigative techniques and technologies not available at DoD or to the government contractors paid to recover remains, continued to research S2c Duncan’s case. In 2013, the Foundation determined that S2c Duncan remained buried on Tarawa in Cemetery 33, Plot 13, Row 2, Grave Number 17. S2c Duncan was recovered from the site indicated by Foundation research in 2017 and his identification was officially announced by DoD on 27 September 2018.
SSGT Karl Richard Loesche, 3rd Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Corps, was captured by the Japanese during the Battle of Bataan and imprisoned in the Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp in the Philippines where he died of dysentery on 16 November 1942. SSGT Loesche was buried in a common grave # 720 in the camp with seven other American prisoners. After the war, seven individuals were identified from the grave and one “Unknown” (X-882) was buried in the Manila American Cemetery. The Foundation was asked by SSGT Loesche’s family to investigate this case and prepared an comprehensive Family Report on June 2, 2013 using the RISC System to list SSGT Loesche as a “Most Likely Match” to Unknown X-882. The Foundation offered the investigative report to the Department of Defense and no response was received. SSGT Loesche was identified as Unknown X-882 by the Department of Defense on 17 September 2018.
PFC Leonard Anthony Tyma was originally reported as Missing in Action on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties and requested information from the JPAC Laboratory on multiple sets of remains found on Tarawa that had been turned over to JPAC in 2009. The JPAC Lab refused to provide any information on these remains to their own Intelligence Section under Chief Stone which was investigating the Tarawa missing. In May 2016, the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation received a Family Report request from PFC Tyma’s family which was immediately provided. Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or their contractors, continued to investigate PFC Tyma’s case and determined in 2017 that PFC Tyma was not a most likely match to any Punchbowl “Unknowns”. After over nine years, on 11 September 2018 the Department of Defense finally announced that PFC Tyma had been identified as one of the sets of remains recovered from Tarawa in 2009.
SGT Millard Odom was originally reported as Killed in Action by gunshot wounds to the neck and chest on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 14 December 2011, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated the case of Tarawa “Unknown X-273” using the RISC System and determined that SGT Odom was buried as “Unknown X-273” in the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu in 1947. The Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or their contractors, continued to investigate SGT Odom’s case and confirmed that SGT Odom was a most likely match to only one Punchbowl “Unknown”: X-273. A comprehensive report was provided upon request to SGT Odom’s family in 2015. After over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone’s recommendations for disinterment and identification of all of the Tarawa Punchbowl “Unknowns” in October 2016. In August 2018, the USMC confirmed that SGT Odom was Punchbowl Unknown X-273.
PhM3c William Horace Blancheri was originally reported as Missing in Action on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 17 February 2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, using the RISC System determined that PhM3c Blancheri was a probable match to Unknown X-16, buried as an “Unknown” in the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu in 1947. The Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or their contractors, continued to investigate PhM3c Blancheri’s case and confirmed that PhM3c Blancheri was a most likely match to only one Punchbowl “Unknown”: X-16. After over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone’s recommendations for disinterment and identification of all of the Tarawa Punchbowl “Unknowns”. On 27 August 2018, PhM3c Blancheri was officially announced as Punchbowl Unknown X-16.
TSGT Harry Arnold Carlsen was originally reported as Killed in Action on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 26 March 2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, submitted an official investigative report using the RISC System and determined that TSGT Carlsen was definitively buried as “Unknown X-82” in the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu in 1947. The Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or their contractors, continued to investigate TSGT Carlsen’s case and confirmed that TSGT Carlsen was a most likely match to only one Punchbowl “Unknown”: X-82. Comprehensive reports were provided upon request to TSGT Carlsen’s family in 2013, 2014, and 2016. A member of the U.S. Congress also requested an investigative report in 2013, which was immediately provided. After over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone’s recommendations for disinterment and identification of all of the Tarawa Punchbowl “Unknowns”. On 16 August 2018, the USMC confirmed that TSGT Carlsen was Punchbowl Unknown X-82.
PFC Robert Leroy Zehetner was originally reported as Missing in Action on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 24 March 2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties and determined that PFC Zehetner was a possible match to Unknown X-79, buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu in 1947. The Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or their contractors, continued to investigate PFC Zehetner’s case. After over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone’s recommendations for disinterment and identification of all of the Tarawa Punchbowl “Unknowns”. On 31 July 2018, PFC Zehetner was officially announced as Punchbowl Unknown X-79.
CPL Claire Eulin Goldtrap was reported as Killed in Action due to gunshot and shrapnel wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties and determined that CPL Goldtrap was buried as an “Unknown” in the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu in 1948. The Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or their contractors, continued to investigate CPL Goldtrap’s case and confirmed that CPL Goldtrap was a most likely match to only three Punchbowl “Unknowns”. After over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone’s recommendations for disinterment and identification of all of the Tarawa Punchbowl “Unknowns”. On 31 July 2018, CPL Goldtrap was officially announced as a Punchbowl Unknown. On 4 March 2019, DPAA confirmed that CPL Goldtrap was Unknown X-277 from which he was selected as a Most Likely Match by Chief Stone while at the DoD on 16 December 2011.
Click here to listen to NO HOME FOR HEROES Podcast Episode 9 for more information on CPL Goldtrap
PFC Merton Raymond Riser was reported “Missing in Action” on 20 November 1943 during the Battle of Tarawa. While at JPAC on November 11, 2011, Chief Stone prepared reports using the RISC System which listed PFC Riser as a Most Likely Match to only one “Unknown” buried in the Punchbowl: X-144. The Foundation later provided PFC Riser’s family with a comprehensive report on his case in March 2014. PFC Riser’s identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 27 July 2018 and confirmed as Tarawa Unknown X-144 .
PFC Paul David Gilman was reported “Killed in Action” due to a gunshot wound on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. In April 2013, The Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation received a Family Report request from PFC Gilman’s family which concluded that the preponderance of the evidence indicated that PFC Gilman was NOT an “Unknown” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or to “non-profit” government contractors paid millions in taxpayer dollars to recover remains, continued to research PFC Gilman’s case concluding that PFC Gilman was buried on Tarawa in Grave Number 39 of Cemetery 27, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PFC Gilman was recovered from Grave Number 39 at this site on Tarawa and his identification was officially announced on 11 June 2018.
PFC William Franklin Cavin was reported as Killed in Action due to gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, investigated all of the unresolved Tarawa casualties and determined that PFC Cavin was likely originally buried as an “Unknown” in Cemetery 33 on Tarawa and was moved as an “unknown” to the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu in 1947. Foundation researchers, using advanced law enforcement investigative techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or to “non-profit” government contractors paid millions in taxpayer dollars to recover remains, continued to research PFC Cavin’s case. After over five years, the Department of Defense finally decided to act on Chief Stone’s recommendations for disinterment and identification of all of the Tarawa Punchbowl “Unknowns”. On 3 May 2018, PFC Cavin was officially confirmed by the Department of Defense as a Punchbowl Unknown.
PFC Clarence Eli Drumheiser was reported “Killed in Action” by gunshot and shrapnel wounds to the head on 22 November 1943 during the Battle of Tarawa. While at JPAC on 19 February 2012, Chief Rick Stone prepared reports which listed PFC Drumheiser as a Probable Match to Unknown X-25, buried in the Punchbowl. The Foundation later provided PFC Drumheiser’s family with a comprehensive report on his case in 2013. JPAC/DPAA consistently failed to act on the Foundation’s requests for PFC Drumheiser’s dental records until a Federal FOIA lawsuit was filed demanding the records so that the list of matches could be reduced even further by the RISC System. Despite this impediment to solving PFC Drumheiser’s case by JPAC/DPAA, Foundation investigators refined and updated the original investigations to list PFC Drumheiser as a “Most Likely Match” to Unknown X-25 in 2015. PFC Drumheiser’s identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 19 April 2018 and finally confirmed six months later that PFC Drumheiser was Unknown X-25.
Captain George Van Vleet, Jr., U.S. Army Air Corps, 38th Bomb Group, was a passenger on a B-24 Liberator bomber, nicknamed “Miss Bee Haven”, which crashed on take off from Tarawa on 21 January 1944. While a member of the Department of Defense in 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone prepared reports which noted that CAPT Van Vleet was one of eleven known recovered casualties from two crashes on that date. Chief Stone’s reports noted that four were buried as “Unknowns” in the Punchbowl and seven remained buried in an undiscovered cemetery plot on Tarawa. In the official report submitted by Chief Stone on 9 February 2012 to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, Captain Van Vleet was listed as a “Most Likely Match” to Unknown X-14. In August 2016, the U.S. Congress requested a report from the Foundation on the case of the eleven missing fliers which was immediately forwarded and provided to the Department of Defense. The Congressional Report, using the RISC System and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or its contractors, listed CAPT Van Vleet as one of the four aircrew casualties who were buried as an “Unknown” in the Punchbowl and again specifically confirmed that CAPT Van Vleet was a “Most Likely Match” to Unknown X-14. The Department of Defense finally decided to act upon Chief Stone’s recommendations for disinterment of all the Tarawa “Unknowns” in October 2016. In September and November 2016, the Foundation received “Family Report” requests from CAPT Van Vleet’s family which were provided immediately with updated information on the case. CAPT Van Vleet’s identification was officially announced on 23 March 2018 and he was subsequently confirmed as being Unknown X-14.
2nd LT William W. Shank, U.S. Army Air Force, 55th Fighter Group, 338th Fighter Squadron, 8th Air Force, was the pilot of a P-38H lost while escorting 268 B-17’s and B-24’s on a bombing mission to Bremen, Germany on 13 November 1943. His MIA case was assigned to Chief Stone to investigate as a member of the Department of Defense. Chief Stone submitted a report on 18 October 2011 noting that LT Shank was a “Most Likely Match” to Neuville Unknown X-7466 buried in the U. S. Military Cemetery, Neuville-En-Condroz, Belgium. Chief Stone concluded that Unknown X-7466 was exclusively correlated to LT Shank to exclusion of all other MIA’s. After six and a half years, Unknown X-7466 was finally recovered from the American cemetery in Belgium and officially identified as LT Shank on 8 March 2018.
Radioman 3rd Class Howard Verne Keffer, U.S. Navy Reserves, was reported “Missing in Action” during the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. RM3c Keffer was a crew member of the USS Oklahoma. Upon request, the Foundation provided RM3c Keffer’s family with a comprehensive report on 17 March 2014 which listed RM3c as an “Unknown” buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery in Honolulu. After the disbanding of JPAC, its replacement agency (DPAA) exhumed RM3c Keffer from Section Q, Plot 0005 in the Punchbowl Cemetery in 2015. His identification by DNA as “Unknown X-256-E ” was effected by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory and announced by the Department of Defense on 7 March 2018.
PFC Herman Walter Mulligan, Jr., L Company, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Marines was reported “Missing in Action” by a the explosion of a Japanese ammunition bunker on 30 May 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa. A case investigation of his status was initiated in 2011/2012 by the WWII Research and Investigations Branch, J-2 Intelligence Section, U.S. Navy, under the command of Dr. Kristina Giannotta and Deputy Chief Rick Stone. Mr. Andrew Speelhoffer was assigned as the primary investigator. The investigation concluded that PFC Mulligan was most likely buried as “Okinawa Unknown X-35”. After almost six years, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency decided to act on the official recommendations for disinterment and identification of the “Unknown” believed to be PFC Mulligan. Unknown X-35 was publicly confirmed as PFC Herman Walter Mulligan, Jr. on 28 February 2018.
2nd LT Harvel Lee Moore was reported “Killed in Action” by a gunshot wound on 22 November 1943, during the Battle of Tarawa. Upon request, the Foundation provided LT Moore’s family with a comprehensive report in 2017 which listed LT Moore as a possible match to field recoveries from Tarawa in recent years. LT Moore’s identification as a field recovery was announced by the Department of Defense on 22 February 2018.
PFC Joe Lukie was reported “Missing in Action” on 20 November 1943, during the Battle of Tarawa. In an official report submitted by Chief Stone while a member of the Department of Defense on 19 October 2011 to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, PFC Lukie was listed as a “Most Likely Match” to Unknown X-201. The Foundation later refined the Tarawa investigations completed by Chief Stone at the Department of Defense. The Foundation, using the RISC System and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or its contractors, confirmed PFC Lukie as a “Most Likely Match” to X-201. In May 2013, the Foundation received a “Family Report” request from PFC Lukie’s family which was immediately provided. DPAA finally acted on Chief Stone’s original recommendations and began exhumation of the Tarawa “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. PFC Lukie was recovered from the Punchbowl and his identification was officially announced on 21 February 2018. PFC Lukie was subsequently confirmed by the Department of Defense as being Unknown X-201.
PFC Jack Harvey Krieger was reported “Killed in Action” by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943, during the Battle of Tarawa. While at JPAC on 16 September 2011, Chief Rick Stone prepared reports which listed PFC Krieger as a possible match to Unknown X-224, buried in the Punchbowl. The Foundation refined the original Tarawa investigations completed by Chief Stone using the RISC System and advanced technologies not available at DoD or to the “non-profit” contractor which the government actually pays millions of taxpayer dollars each year to recover remains. The Foundation’s investigation confirmed PFC Krieger as a “Most Likely Match” to Unknown X-224. After almost five years, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency finally decided to act on the official recommendations of Chief Stone for disinterment and identification of the Punchbowl Unknowns from Tarawa. PFC Krieger’s identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 1 February 2018 and has now been confirmed as Unknown X-224.
PVT Emil Francesco Ragucci was reported “Killed in Action” by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 during the Battle of Tarawa. While at the Department of Defense (DoD) in 2011/2012, Chief Rick Stone investigated all of the cases of Tarawa MIAs and prepared official reports listing each MIA’s likelihood of being one of the “Tarawa Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. In February 2013 and April 2015, the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation, using advanced law enforcement techniques and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or their contractors, was requested to provide PVT Ragucci’s family with comprehensive reports which refined and updated the previous investigations. On March 9, 2017, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) requested an updated investigative report by the Foundation regarding PVT Ragucci’s case. The report was immediately provided to the DoD and associated PVT Ragucci’s burial site to a specific location on Tarawa. PVT Ragucci’s identification was announced as a field recovery from Tarawa by the Department of Defense on 4 December 2017.
PFC Lyle Ellis Charpilloz was reported “Killed in Action” by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943, during the Battle of Tarawa. While at JPAC in 2011/2012, Chief Stone prepared reports which did not list PFC Charpilloz as a Most Likely Match to any “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. The Foundation later provided PFC Charpilloz’ family with reports in 2013 and 2016 which confirmed the original investigation. The Foundation listed PFC Charpilloz as a possible match to field recoveries from Tarawa in recent years. PFC Charpilloz’ identification was announced by the Department of Defense on 4 December 2017.
1st SGT David Harvey Quinn was reported “Killed in Action” by shrapnel wounds on 20 November 1943, during the Battle of Tarawa. In an official report submitted by Chief Stone while a member of the Department of Defense on 8 November 2011 to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, 1st SGT Quinn was listed as a “Most Likely Match” to Unknown X-115. The Foundation later refined the Tarawa investigations completed by Chief Stone at the Department of Defense. The Foundation, using the RISC System and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or their contractors, confirmed 1st SGT Quinn as a “Most Likely Match” to X-115. In April 2013 and December 2016, the Foundation received a “Family Report” request from 1st SGT Quinn’s family which was immediately provided. DPAA finally acted on Chief Stone’s original recommendations and began exhumation of the Tarawa “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. 1st SGT Quinn was recovered from the Punchbowl and his identification was officially announced on 29 November 2017. 1st SGT Quinn was subsequently confirmed by the Department of Defense as being Unknown X-115.
PFC Arnold Junior Harrison was reported “Killed in Action” by a gunshot wound to the head on his 20th birthday, 20 November 1943, during the Battle of Tarawa. While at JPAC in 2011/2012, Chief Stone prepared reports which listed PFC Harrison as a Most Likely Match to five “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. The Foundation later enhanced the Tarawa investigations completed by Chief Stone at the Department of Defense after acquiring information and technologies not available at JPAC. The Foundation, using the RISC System, listed PFC Harrison as a “Most Likely Match” to Unknown X-166, buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. DPAA finally acted on Chief Stone’s original recommendations and began exhumation of the Tarawa “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. PFC Harrison was recovered from the Punchbowl and his identification as X-166 was officially announced on 20 October 2017.
CPL Raymond Aurther Barker was reported “Missing in Action” on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. The Foundation received a request for a “Family Report” from CPL Barker’s family which was forwarded on February 4, 2013. In 2014, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, updated four reports submitted to JPAC in 2011/2012 noting that CPL Barker was not a most likely match to any “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl but that he was possibly buried on Tarawa. CPL Barker was recovered from an unmarked grave on Tarawa and his identification was officially announced on 17 October 2017.
CPL John Vincent McNichol was reported “Killed in Action” by gunshot wounds on 21 November 1943 on Tarawa. The Foundation received a request for a “Family Report” from CPL McNichol’s family which was forwarded on December 14, 2013 noting that CPL McNichol was not a most likely match to any “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl but that he was possibly buried on Tarawa. CPL McNichol was recovered from an unmarked grave on Tarawa and his identification was officially announced on 17 October 2017.
SGT Elden William Grimm was reported “Missing in Action” on 25 November 1943 during the Battle of Tarawa. In an official report submitted by Chief Stone while a member of the Department of Defense on 22 November 2011 to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, SGT Grimm was listed as a “Most Likely Match” to Unknown X-150. The Foundation later refined the Tarawa investigations completed by Chief Stone at the Department of Defense. The Foundation, using the RISC System and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or its contractors, confirmed SGT Grimm as a “Most Likely Match” to X-150. In April 2013, the Foundation received a “Family Report” request from SGT Grimm’s family which was immediately provided. DPAA finally acted on Chief Stone’s original recommendations and began exhumation of the Tarawa “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. SGT Grimm was recovered from the Punchbowl and his identification was officially announced on 17 September 2017. SGT Grimm was subsequently confirmed by the Department of Defense as being Unknown X-150.
PFC Edwin William Jordan was killed by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, submitted reports to JPAC noting that PFC Jordan was not a match to any “Unknowns” in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl). Continued investigation by the Foundation uncovered additional information to confirm Chief Stone’s original reports that PFC Jordan was not a most likely match to any “Unknowns” in the Punchbowl. In May 2017, a local resident on Tarawa discovered a previously unknown and unrecorded burial trench on Tarawa while building a carport. PFC Jordan was recovered from an unmarked grave at this site on Tarawa and his identification was officially announced on 17 October 2017.
Click here to listen to NO HOME FOR HEROES Podcast Episode 6 for more information on PFC Jordan.
PFC Albert Strange was reported “Missing in Action” on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. Continued investigation by the Foundation uncovered additional information to indicate that PFC Strange was not a most likely match to any “Unknowns” in the Punchbowl. In May 2017, a local resident on Tarawa discovered a previously unknown and unrecorded burial trench on Tarawa while building a carport. PFC Strange was recovered from an unmarked grave at this site on Tarawa and his identification was officially announced on 17 October 2017.
PhM2c Thomas Jesse Murphy was killed by a gunshot wound on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from PhM2c Murphy’s family which was forwarded on September 25, 2016 noting that PhM2c Murphy was not a most likely match to any “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. In May 2017, a local resident on Tarawa discovered a previously unknown and unrecorded burial trench on Tarawa while building a carport. PhM2c Murphy was recovered from an unmarked grave at this location on Tarawa and his identification was officially announced on 11 October 2017.
PFC Harold Patrick Hannon was killed by a gunshot wound to the head on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. In May 2017, a local resident on Tarawa discovered a previously unknown and unrecorded burial trench on Tarawa while building a carport. PFC Hannon was recovered from an unmarked grave at this site and his identification was officially announced on 5 October 2017.
PFC Donald Ross Tolson was reported “Missing in Action” on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. Continued investigation by the Foundation uncovered additional information to indicate that PFC Tolson was not a most likely match to any “Unknowns” in the Punchbowl. In May 2017, a local resident on Tarawa discovered PFC Tolson’s dog tags in a previously unknown and unrecorded burial trench on Tarawa while building a carport. PFC Tolson was recovered from an unmarked grave at this site on Tarawa and his identification was officially announced on 17 October 2017.
PVT Charles Arvan Drew was reported “Missing in Action” on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. In May 2017, a local resident on Tarawa discovered a previously unknown and unrecorded burial trench on Tarawa while building a carport. PVT Drew was recovered from an unmarked grave at this site on Tarawa and his identification was officially announced on 28 September 2017.
PVT John Merrill Tillman was reported “Killed in Action” by a gunshot wound to the chest on 20 November 1943 during the Battle of Tarawa. While at JPAC in 2011/2012, Chief Stone prepared reports which listed PVT Tillman as a Most Likely Match to three “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. The Foundation later refined the Tarawa investigations completed by Chief Stone at the Department of Defense after acquiring information and technologies not available at JPAC. The Foundation, using the RISC System, listed PVT Tillman as a “Most Likely Match” to Unknown X-35. DPAA finally acted on Chief Stone’s original recommendations and began exhumation of the Tarawa “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. PVT Tillman was recovered from the Punchbowl and his identification as X-35 was officially announced on 28 September 2017.
Click here to listen to NO HOME FOR HEROES Podcast Episode 13 for more information on PVT Tillman
TSGT John Solenberger Bailey was the radio operator on a B-24 Liberator bomber, nicknamed “Miss Bee Haven”, which crashed on take off from Tarawa on 21 January 1944. While at JPAC in 2011/2012, Chief Stone prepared reports which noted that TSGT Bailey was one of eleven known recovered casualties from two crashes on that date. Chief Stone’s reports noted that four were buried as “Unknowns” in the Punchbowl and seven remained buried in an undiscovered cemetery on Tarawa. In 2016, the Foundation received a Family Report request from TSGT Bailey’s family which was provided immediately and noted that he was not a most likely match to any Tarawa “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. Later In 2016, the U.S. Congress requested a report from the Foundation on the case of the eleven missing fliers which was immediately forwarded. The Congressional Report listed TSGT Bailey as one of the seven aircrew casualties who were still buried on Tarawa and gave the location of their grave site. TSGT Bailey was recovered from a grave on Tarawa at the site indicated by Foundation research and his identification was officially announced on 25 September 2017.
PFC Harold Vernon Thomas was reported “Killed in Action” by gunshot wounds to the abdomen on 20 November 1943 during the Battle of Tarawa. While at JPAC on 31 March 2012, Chief Rick Stone prepared official reports which listed PFC Thomas as a Possible Match to Unknown X-87 buried in the Punchbowl. The Foundation later refined the Tarawa investigations completed by Chief Stone at the Department of Defense after acquiring information and technologies not available to DoD or their contractors. The Foundation, using the RISC System, listed PFC Thomas as a “Most Likely Match” to only one unknown: X-87. DPAA finally acted on Chief Stone’s original recommendations and began exhumation of the Tarawa “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. PFC Thomas was recovered from the Punchbowl and his identification as Unknown X-87 was officially announced on 13 September 2017.
SGT William David Ball, Jr. was reported “Wounded in Action” by gunshot wounds to his arm and shoulder on 20 November 1943 during the Battle of Tarawa. SGT Ball was subsequently lost and presumed killed while being transported off the island for treatment. In an official report submitted by Chief Stone while a member of the Department of Defense on 2 April 2012 to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, SGT Ball was listed as a “Most Likely Match” to Unknown X-89. The Foundation later refined the Tarawa investigations completed by Chief Stone at the Department of Defense. The Foundation, using the RISC System and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or its contractors, confirmed SGT Ball as a “Most Likely Match” to X-89. DPAA finally acted on Chief Stone’s original recommendations and began exhumation of the Tarawa “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. SGT Ball was recovered from the Punchbowl and his identification was officially announced on 13 September 2017. SGT Ball was subsequently confirmed by the Department of Defense as being Unknown X-89.
Click here to listen to NO HOME FOR HEROES Podcast Episode 15 for more information SGT Ball
2nd LT Donald Eugene Underwood, U.S. Army Air Corps, 38th Bomb Group, was the bombardier on a B-24 Liberator bomber, nicknamed “Miss Bee Haven”, which crashed on take off from Tarawa on 21 January 1944. While at JPAC in 2011/2012, Chief Stone prepared reports which noted that LT Underwood was one of eleven known recovered casualties from two crashes on that date. Chief Stone’s reports noted that four were buried as “Unknowns” in the Punchbowl and seven remained buried in an undiscovered cemetery on Tarawa. In 2013 and 2016, the Foundation received Family Report requests from LT Underwood’s family which were provided immediately with updated information. In 2016, the U.S. Congress requested a report from the Foundation on the case of the eleven missing fliers which was immediately forwarded. The Congressional Report listed LT Underwood as one of the seven aircrew casualties who were still buried on Tarawa and gave the location of their burial. LT Underwood was recovered from a grave on Tarawa at the site indicated by Foundation research and his identification was officially announced on 14 September 2017.
PVT George Frank Patrick was reported “Killed in Action” by shrapnel wounds on 20 November 1943 during the Battle of Tarawa. In an official report submitted by Chief Stone while a member of the Department of Defense on 4 November 2011 to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, PVT Patrick was listed as a “Most Likely Match” to Unknown X-100. The Foundation later refined the Tarawa investigations completed by Chief Stone at the Department of Defense. The Foundation, using the RISC System and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or its contractors, confirmed PVT Patrick as a match to X-100. DPAA finally acted on Chief Stone’s original recommendations and began exhumation of the “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. PVT Patrick was recovered from the Punchbowl and his identification was officially announced on 8 September 2017. PVT Patrick was subsequently confirmed by the Department of Defense as being Unknown X-100.
PFC Manuel Menendez was reported “Killed in Action” on 20 November 1943 during the Battle of Tarawa. Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, submitted an official investigative report which listed PFC Menendez as a probable match to Unknown X-168, buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. The Foundation later refined the Tarawa investigations completed by Chief Stone at the Department of Defense after acquiring information and technologies not available to Dod or their contractors. The Foundation, using the RISC System, listed PFC Menendez as a “Most Likely Match” to only one unknown: X-168. DPAA finally acted on Chief Stone’s original recommendations and began exhumation of the Tarawa “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. PFC Menendez was recovered from the Punchbowl and his identification as X-168 was officially announced on 8 September 2017.
ACK Frank Louis Masoni was reported “Killed in Action” by gunshot wounds on 21 November 1943 during the Battle of Tarawa. On 21 September 2011, Chief Rick Stone while a member of the Department of Defense submitted an official investigative report which listed ACK Masoni as a possible match to Unknown X-206, buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. The Foundation later refined the Tarawa investigations completed by Chief Stone at the Department of Defense after acquiring information and technologies not available to DoD or their contractors. The Foundation, using the RISC System, listed ACK Masoni as a “Probable Match” to Unknown X-206. DPAA finally acted on Chief Stone’s original recommendations and began exhumation of the Tarawa “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. ACK Masoni was recovered from the Punchbowl and his identification as X-206 was officially announced on 8 September 2017.
PVT Alberic Maurice Blanchette was listed as Missing in Action on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 6 October 2011, Chief Rick Stone, using the RISC System, listed PVT Blanchette as a “Possible Match” to Unknown X-153 buried in the Punchbowl. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from PVT Blanchette’s family which was forwarded on 15 July 2013. DPAA finally acted on Chief Stone’s original recommendations and began exhumation of the “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. DPAA officially announced on 21 July 2017 that PVT Blanchette was recovered from the Punchbowl and identified as X-153.
CPL Anthony George Guerriero was killed by a gunshot wound to the head on 21 November 1943 on Tarawa. In an official report submitted by Chief Stone while a member of the Department of Defense on 15 March 2012 to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, CPL Guerriero was listed as a “Most Likely Match” to Unknown X-49. The Foundation later refined the Tarawa investigations completed by Chief Stone at the Department of Defense. The Foundation, using the RISC System and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or its contractors, confirmed CPL Guerriero as a “Most Likely Match” to X-49. DPAA finally acted on Chief Stone’s original recommendations and began exhumation of the “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. CPL Guerriero was recovered from the Punchbowl and his identification was officially announced on 14 July 2017. CPL Guerriero was subsequently confirmed by the Department of Defense as being Unknown X-49.
PFC Lloyd J. Lobdell, A Company, 192nd Tank Battalion, U.S. Army, was captured by the Japanese during the Battle of Bataan and imprisoned in the Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp in the Philippines where he died of disease on 19 November 1942. PFC Lobdell was buried in a common grave in the camp with 13 other American prisoners. After the war, four individuals were identified from the grave and ten “unknowns” were buried in the Manila American Cemetery. Chief Stone was asked to investigate these cases as a member of JPAC and prepared a series of Investigative Reports in March 2012 using the RISC System which listed PFC Lobdell as a most likely match to Unknown X-820 recovered from Grave 717 at Cabanatuan. These unknowns had been interred at the Manila American Cemetery since 1946. In 2013, the family of another Cabanatuan “unknown” identified by Chief Stone as being originally buried with PFC Lobdell filed a federal lawsuit seeking disinterment, which JPAC vigorously opposed. The family prevailed in the lawsuit and all of the Grave 717 “unknowns” recommended for disinterment by Chief Stone were exhumed in June 2014. PFC Lobdell was identified as Unknown X-820 by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory on July 26, 2017.
PVT Joseph Carmine Carbone was reported “Missing in Action” on 20 November 1943 during the Battle of Tarawa. Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, using the RISC System submitted an official investigative report which listed PVT Carbone as a possible match to Unknown X-206 buried in the Punchbowl. The Foundation later refined the Tarawa investigations using information and technologies not available to the Department of Defense or their paid contractors, to list PVT Carbone as a “Most Likely Match” to only one unknown, X-206. DPAA finally acted on Chief Stone’s original recommendations and began exhumation of the “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from PVT Carbone’s family which was forwarded in 2017. PVT Carbone was recovered from the Punchbowl and his identification as X-206 was officially announced on 17 July 2017.
CPL Raymond Clark Snapp was killed on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 15 December 2011, Chief Rick Stone, using the RISC System, listed CPL Snapp as a “Possible Match” to Unknown X-275 buried in the Punchbowl. The Foundation later refined these investigations using information and technologies not available at JPAC or their contractors to list CPL Snapp as a “Most Likely Match” to Unknown X-275. DPAA finally acted on Chief Stone’s original recommendations and began exhumation of the “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. CPL Snapp was recovered from the Punchbowl and his identification as X-275 was officially announced on 14 July 2017.
PFC Ray James was killed by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. In an official report submitted by Chief Stone while a member of the Department of Defense on 9 August 2011 to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, PFC James was listed as a “Most Likely Match” to Unknown X-163. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from PFC James’ family which was forwarded on 18 January 2016. The Foundation later refined the Tarawa investigations completed by Chief Stone at the Department of Defense. The Foundation, using the RISC System and sophisticated technologies not available to DoD or its contractors, confirmed PFC James as a match to X-163. DPAA finally acted on Chief Stone’s original recommendations and began exhumation of the “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. PFC James was recovered from the Punchbowl and his identification as X-163 was officially announced on 20 June 2017.
PVT Archie William Newell was killed by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 26 February 2012, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, submitted reports to JPAC using the RISC System noting PVT Newell as a “Probable Match” to “Unknown X-44” buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) and recommended disinterment and identification. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from PVT Newell’s family which was forwarded on 15 April 2013. Continued investigation by the Foundation uncovered additional information to update the report to include PVT Newell as a “Probable Match” to Unknowns X-44. DPAA finally acted on Chief Stone’s original 2012 recommendations and began exhumation of the “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. PVT Newell was recovered from the Punchbowl and his identification as X-44 was officially announced on 12 June 2017.
PFC George Bernard Murray was killed by gunshot wounds to the head and chest on 20 November 1943 and reported buried in Cemetery 33 on Tarawa. In November 2011, Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, submitted reports to JPAC using the RISC System noting that PFC Murray was not a match to any “Unknowns” in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl), including those recovered from Cemetery 33. Continued investigation by the Foundation uncovered additional information to confirm Chief Stone’s original reports that PFC Murray was not a most likely match to any “Unknowns” in the Punchbowl. Remains previously recovered by locals on Tarawa were turned over to JPAC in June 2010 where they were stored on the JPAC Laboratory shelf. These remains were finally identified as PFC Murray on 9 June 2017.
PFC Sam John Kourkos was killed on 21 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 9 November 2011, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of Department of Defense, submitted an official investigative report which listed PFC Kourkos as a possible match to Unknown X-116, buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from PFC Kourkos’ family which was forwarded on 9 September 2014. Continuing investigation by the Foundation uncovered additional information to update the report using the RISC System and listed PFC Kourkos as a most likely match to only one “Unknown” buried in the Punchbowl, X-116. DPAA finally acted on Chief Stone’s original recommendations and began exhumation of the “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. PFC Kourkos was recovered from the Punchbowl and his identification as Unknown X-116 was officially announced on May 19, 2017.
CPL Henry Andregg, Jr. was killed on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 30 January 2012 Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of the Navy, submitted reports to JPAC using the RISC System noting CPL Andregg as a possible match to “Unknown X-3” buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) and recommended disinterment and identification. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from CPL Andregg’s family which was forwarded on 25 April 2013. Continuing investigation by the Foundation uncovered additional information to update the report to include CPL Andregg as a probable match to Unknown X-3. DPAA finally acted on Chief Stone’s original recommendations and began exhumation of the “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. CPL Andregg was recovered from the Punchbowl and his identification as Unknown X-3 was officially announced on May 19, 2017.
2nd LT George Stanley Bussa was killed by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of JPAC, submitted reports in 2011 and 2012 noting that LT Bussa was not a biometric match to any “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. LT Bussa was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his identification was officially announced on 21 April 2017.
PVT Harold Sturtevant Hirschi, U.S. Army Air Corps, 19th Bomb Group, was captured by the Japanese during the Battle of Bataan and imprisoned in the Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp in the Philippines where he died of pellagra on 19 November 1942. PVT Hirschi was buried in a common grave in the camp with 13 other American prisoners. After the war, four individuals were identified from the grave and ten “unknowns” were buried in the Manila American Cemetery. Chief Stone was asked to investigate these cases as a member of JPAC and prepared a series of Investigative Reports in March 2012 using the RISC System which listed PVT Hirschi as a most likely match to Unknowns recovered from Grave 717 at Cabanatuan. These unknowns had been interred at the Manila American Cemetery since 1946. In 2013, the family of another Cabanatuan “unknown” identified by Chief Stone as being buried with PVT Hirschi filed a federal lawsuit seeking disinterment, which JPAC vigorously opposed. The family prevailed in the lawsuit and all of the Grave 717 “unknowns” recommended for disinterment by Chief Stone were exhumed in June 2014. PVT Hirschi was identified as one of these “unknowns” by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory on April 14, 2017.
PFC John Kovach, Jr, U.S. Army, (Technician 4th Grade), C Company, 192nd Tank Battalion, was captured by the Japanese during the Battle of Bataan and imprisoned in the Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp in the Philippines where he died of illness on 19 November 1942. PFC Kovach was buried in a common grave in the camp with 13 other American prisoners. After the war, four individuals were identified from the grave and ten “unknowns” were buried in the Manila American Cemetery. Chief Stone was asked to investigate these cases as a member of JPAC and prepared a series of Investigative Reports in March 2012 using the RISC System which listed PFC Kovach as a most likely match to Unknowns recovered from Grave 717 at Cabanatuan. These unknowns had been interred at the Manila American Cemetery since 1946. In 2013, the family of another Cabanatuan “unknown” identified by Chief Stone as being buried with PFC Kovach filed a federal lawsuit seeking disinterment, which JPAC vigorously opposed. The family prevailed in the lawsuit and all of the Grave 717 “unknowns” recommended for disinterment by Chief Stone were exhumed in June 2014. PFC Kovach was identified as one of these “unknowns” by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory on April 10, 2017.
PFC Jack Junior Fox was killed on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 11 November 2011, Chief Rick Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, submitted reports to JPAC using the RISC System noting PFC Fox as a possible match Unknown X-117 buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) and recommended disinterment and identification. The Foundation later updated these reports and listed PFC Fox as one of only two most likely matches to Unknown X-117. After five years, the Department of Defense finally acted on Chief Stone’s original recommendations and began exhumation of the “Unknowns” from the Punchbowl in October 2016. PFC Fox was recovered from the Punchbowl and his identification was officially announced on 4 April 2017. Over two years later, official confirmation from DPAA that PFC Fox was X-117 is still pending.
Click here to listen to NO HOME FOR HEROES Podcast Episode 17 for more information about PFC Fox
PVT Donald Samuel Spayd was killed by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting PVT Spayd’s possible burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from PVT Spayd’s family which was forwarded on 29 August 2016 noting that PVT Spayd was possibly buried in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PVT Spayd was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his identification was officially announced on 17 March 2017.
PFC James Ottis Whitehurst was killed by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PFC Whitehurst was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his official identification was announced on 4 January 2017.
2nd LT Ernest Albert Matthews, Jr. was killed by a gunshot wound to the abdomen on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of JPAC, submitted reports in 2011 and 2012 noting that LT Matthews was not a biometric match to any “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. LT Matthews was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his identification was officially announced on 4 January 2017.
SGT Sidney Asa Cook was killed by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. The Foundation later determined that SGT Cook was not a most likely match to any “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. SGT Cook was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his official identification was announced on 1 January 2017.
PFC Larry Ronald Roberts was killed on 25 November 1943 on Tarawa and he was reported buried in Cemetery 11. In March 2016, Foundation researchers discovered a map noting the actual burial location of PFC Roberts and PFC Ben Gore, side by side, at a site which correlated with the recently discovered Cemetery 27 on Tarawa. The Foundation immediately notified the Department of Defense of this information on March 20, 2016. Although PFC Roberts was not recorded in any records as being buried in Cemetery 27, the map discovered by Foundation researchers proved to be correct. PFC Roberts’ identification by DNA comparison was officially announced on January 4, 2017 as a recovery from Cemetery 27.
Click here to listen to NO HOME FOR HEROES Podcast Episode 11 for more information on PFC Roberts
PFC Ben Hadden Gore was killed on 25 November 1943 on Tarawa and he was reported buried in Cemetery 33. In March 2016, Foundation researchers discovered a map noting the actual burial location of PFC Gore and PFC Larry Roberts, side by side, at a site which correlated with the recently discovered Cemetery 27 on Tarawa. The Foundation immediately notified the Department of Defense of this information on March 20, 2016. Although PFC Gore was not recorded in any records as being buried in Cemetery 27, the map discovered by Foundation researchers proved to be correct. PFC Gore’s identification by DNA comparison was officially announced on September 1, 2016 as a recovery from Cemetery 27.
Click here to listen to NO HOME FOR HEROES Podcast Episode 11 for more information on PFC Gore
CPL Walter George Critchley was killed on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting CPL Critchley’s likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from CPL Critchley’s family which was forwarded on 7 April 2013. An update was sent to CPL Critchley’s family on July 2, 2015 citing CPL Critchley’s likely burial in Cemetery 27. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. CPL Critchley was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his identification was announced on January 4, 2017.
FM1c Warren Gordon Nelson was killed by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of JPAC, submitted reports in 2011 and 2012 noting that FM1c Nelson was not a biometric match to any “unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. The Foundation received a request for a “Family Report” from FM1c Nelson’s family which was forwarded on 10 November 2013 noting that FM1c Nelson was likely buried in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. FM1c Nelson was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his identification was officially announced on 5 October 2016.
PFC John William MacDonald was killed by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, submitted reports in 2011 and 2012 noting that PFC MacDonald was not a match to any “unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting PFC MacDonald’s likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PFC MacDonald was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his official identification was announced on 1 September 2016.
PFC James Samuel Smith was listed as wounded in action on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, submitted reports in 2011 and 2012 noting that PFC Smith was not a biometric match to any “unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. Chief Stone’s investigation revealed that PFC Smith was reported missing in action while being transferred for treatment to an off shore ship. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from PFC Smith’s family which was forwarded on 26 December 2012 noting the facts uncovered during Chief Stone’s investigation. On 6 September 2016, the Department of Defense announced the identification of remains found on Tarawa as those of PFC Smith.
Click here to listen to NO HOME FOR HEROES Podcast Episode 15 for more information on PFC Smith
PFC Nicholas Jose Cancilla was lost on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, submitted reports in 2011 and 2012 noting that PFC Cancilla was not a biometric match to any “unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. After participating in field recovery efforts on Tarawa, researchers from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation submitted a report to JPAC on 26 November 2012 listing PFC Cancilla as a possible match to remains recovered during the mission. PFC Cancilla was finally identified as the recovered casualty and he was officially accounted for on 6 September 2016.
SGT James Joseph Hubert was killed by a gunshots wound on 21 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting SGT Hubert’s likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from SGT Hubert’s family which was forwarded on 11 August 2016 noting that SGT Hubert was likely buried in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. SGT Hubert was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his identification was officially announced on 1 September 2016.
PFC Ronald William Vosmer was killed by gunshots wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting PFC Vosmer’s likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from PFC Vosmer’s family which was forwarded on 25 April 2013 noting that PFC Vosmer was likely buried in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PFC Vosmer was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his identification was announced on social media on 10 August 2016.
PVT Emmett Leonard Kines was killed on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting PVT Kines’ likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. The Foundation later received a request for a “Researcher Report” from the West Virginia State Archives and History which was forwarded on 14 September 2014 noting that PVT Kines was likely buried in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PVT Kines was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his identification was announced on social media on 10 August 2016.
PVT Frank Francis Penna was killed by a gunshot wound on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. The Foundation later determined that PVT Penna was not a most likely match to any “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PVT Penna was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his official identification was announced on 10 August 2016.
PFC Wilbur Clyde Mattern was killed by a gunshot wound on 21 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. The Foundation later determined that PFC Mattern was not a most likely match to any “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PFC Mattern was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his official identification was announced on 9 August 2016.
SGT Fae Verlin Moore was killed by gunshots wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. SGT Moore’s records indicated burial in three different cemeteries (Cemeteries 3, 27, and 33), including a photo of his isolated grave in Cemetery 3. The Foundation received a request for a “Family Report” from SGT Moore’s family which was forwarded on 17 April 2013 noting that SGT Moore was likely buried in Cemetery 33 on Tarawa based on documentation from the Army Graves Registration Unit. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. SGT Moore was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his official identification was announced on 9 August 2016.
PVT Dale Robert Geddes was killed by a sniper while giving aid to a wounded buddy on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, submitted reports in 2011 and 2012 noting that PVT Geddes was not a match to any “unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting PVT Geddes’s likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from PVT Geddes’ family which was forwarded on 9 June 2015 noting that PVT Geddes’ was likely buried in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PVT Geddes was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his official identification was announced on 13 April 2016.
1st LT Robert Ernest Moessner, U.S. Army Air Force, 373rd Bombardment Squadron, 308th Bomb Group, 14th Air Force, was the bombardier of the B-24 “Sweepy Time Gal” lost on a mission to attack Japanese shipping near Hong Kong on 18 April 1944. The Foundation received a request for a “Family Report” from the family of another crew member of the Sweepy Time Gal which was forwarded on 14 July 2014. The report using the RISC System and subsequent updates concluded that an “Unknown”, whose remains had been sitting in a cardboard box on a shelf at JPAC/DPAA since August 2005, was exclusively correlated to LT Moessner’s aircraft and that LT Moessner was a most likely match to the unidentified remains. LT Moessner was officially identified on 17 November 2016 by the Department of Defense as the “Unknown” cited the Foundation’s investigation.
Drawing of Cemetery in Cabanatuan POW Camp
CPL Frederick George Collins, Jr, U.S. Army, 263rd Quartermaster Company, Quartermaster Corps, was captured by the Japanese during the Battle of Bataan and imprisoned in the Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp in the Philippines where he died of illness on 19 November 1942. CPL Collins was buried in a common grave in the camp with 13 other American prisoners. After the war, four individuals were identified from the grave and ten “unknowns” were buried in the Manila American Cemetery. Chief Stone was asked to investigate these cases as a member of JPAC and prepared a series of Investigative Reports in March 2012 using the RISC System which listed CPL Collins as a possible match to Unknown X-814 recovered from Grave 717 at Cabanatuan. These unknowns had been interred at the Manila American Cemetery since 1946. In 2013, the family of another Cabanatuan “unknown” identified by Chief Stone as being buried with CPL Collins filed a federal lawsuit seeking disinterment, which JPAC vigorously opposed. The family prevailed in the suit and all of the Grave 717 “unknowns” recommended for disinterment by Chief Stone were exhumed in June 2014. CPL Collins was identified as Unknown X-814 by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory on June 7, 2016.
PhM3c Howard Pascal Brisbane was killed by a Japanese machine gun on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, submitted reports in 2011 and 2012 noting that PhM3c Brisbane was not a biometric match to any “Unknown” buried in the Punchbowl. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting PhM3c Brisbane’s likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PhM3c Brisbane was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his family was notified of his identification on 2 June 2016.
PVT Evans Ernest Overbey, U.S. Army Air Force, 93rd Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group, was captured by the Japanese during the Battle of Bataan and imprisoned in the Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp in the Philippines where he died of illness on 19 November 1942. PVT Overbey was buried in a common grave in the camp with 13 other American prisoners. After the war, four individuals were identified from the grave and ten “unknowns” were buried in the Manila American Cemetery. Chief Stone was asked to investigate these cases as a member of JPAC and prepared a series of Investigative Reports in March 2012 using the RISC System which listed PVT Overbey as a probable match to Unknown X-812 recovered from Grave 717 at Cabanatuan. These unknowns had been interred at the Manila American Cemetery since 1946. In 2013, the family of another Cabanatuan “unknown” identified by Chief Stone as being buried with PVT Overbey filed a federal lawsuit seeking disinterment, which JPAC vigorously opposed. The family prevailed in the suit and all of the Grave 717 “unknowns” recommended for disinterment by Chief Stone were exhumed in June 2014. PVT Overbey was identified as Unknown X-812 by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory on June 1, 2016.
PVT Harry Kay Tye, U.S. Marine Corps, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, was killed by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from PVT Tye’s family which was forwarded on 28 June 2015 noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PVT Tye was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his official identification was announced on 6 May 2016.
PFC George Harry Traver was killed by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. The Foundation received a request for a “Family Report” from PFC Traver’s family which was forwarded on 10 October 1912. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting PFC Traver’s likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PFC Traver was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his family was notified of his identification on 14 May 2016.
PFC James Francis Mansfield was killed by gunshot and shrapnel wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, submitted reports in 2011 and 2012 noting that PFC Mansfield was not a biometric match to any “unknown” buried in the Punchbowl. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from PFC Mansfield’s family which was forwarded on 14 November 2012 noting his likely burial in an unmarked grave on Tarawa. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. The Foundation received a request for an updated report from PFC Mansfield Family which was forwarded on 18 October 2015 noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PFC Mansfield was recovered from Cemetery 27 and his identification was officially announced on 6 May 2016.
PVT Charles Edward Oetjen was killed by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, submitted reports in 2011 and 2012 noting that PVT Oetjen was not a biometric match to any “unknown” buried in the Punchbowl. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from PVT Oetjen’s family which was forwarded on 11 June 2015 noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PVT Oetjen was recovered from Cemetery 27 and the media announced his identification in May 2016.
PFC Elmer Lewis Mathies, Junior was killed by a sniper on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, submitted a report to JPAC noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. On 31 August 2014, Foundation researchers contacted a witness to a Marine’s death on Tarawa who knew the Marine only by the nickname, “Rabbit”. The witness was provided a photo of PFC Mathies who identified him as “Rabbit”. This information, combined with other Foundation research, confirmed the likelihood that PFC Mathies was buried in Cemetery 27. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from PFC Mathies’ family which was forwarded on 5 March 2016 noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PFC Mathies was recovered from Cemetery 27 and the media announced his identification in May 2016.
Click here to listen to NO HOME FOR HEROES Podcast Episode 31 for more information on PFC Mathies
PFC Roland Everett Schaede was killed by a gunshot wound on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Stone determined that PFC Schaede was not a most likely match for any “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, confirmed that PFC Schaede was not a match to any Punchbowl Unknowns and submitted a report to JPAC noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered on Tarawa. PFC Schaede was recovered from Cemetery 27, long hidden underneath a parking lot on Tarawa, and officially identified on 6 May 2016.
PFC James Bernard Johnson was killed by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Stone determined that PFC Johnson was not a most likely match for any “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, confirmed that PFC Johnson was not a match to any Punchbowl Unknowns and submitted a report to JPAC noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered on Tarawa. PFC Johnson was recovered from Cemetery 27, long hidden underneath a parking lot on Tarawa, and officially identified on 24 May 2016.
PVT Palmer Sherman Haraldson was lost participating in an assault on a Japanese bunker on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. The assault was led by 1st LT Alexander Bonnyman, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, eliminated PVT Haraldson as a possible match to any unknown buried in the Punchbowl and submitted a report to JPAC noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. The Foundation later received a request for a “Family Report” from PVT Haraldson’s family which was forwarded on 12 September 2015 noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered underneath a parking lot on Tarawa. PVT Haraldson was recovered from Cemetery 27 and officially identified in April 2016.
CPL George G. Simmons, U.S. Army, Battery H, 60th Coastal Artillery Regiment, was captured by the Japanese during the Battle of Bataan and imprisoned in the Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp in the Philippines where he died of illness on 19 November 1942. CPL Simmons was buried in a common grave in the camp with 13 other American prisoners. After the war, four individuals were identified from the grave and ten “unknowns” were buried in the Manila American Cemetery. Chief Stone was asked to investigate these cases as a member of JPAC and prepared a series of Investigative Reports in March 2012 using the RISC System which listed CPL Simmons as a most likely match to Unknowns recovered from Grave 717 at Cabanatuan. These unknowns had been interred at the Manila American Cemetery since 1946. In 2013, the family of another Cabanatuan “unknown” identified by Chief Stone as being buried with CPL Simmons filed a federal lawsuit seeking disinterment, which JPAC vigorously opposed. The family prevailed in the suit and all of the Grave 717 “unknowns” recommended for disinterment by Chief Stone were exhumed in June 2014. CPL Simmons was identified as one of these “unknowns” by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory on April 14, 2016.
PFC John Saini was killed by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Stone determined that PFC Saini was not a most likely match for any “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, confirmed that PFC Saini was not a match to any Punchbowl Unknowns and submitted a report to JPAC noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered on Tarawa. PFC Saini was recovered from Cemetery 27, long hidden underneath a parking lot on Tarawa, and officially identified on 23 April 2016.
PFC John Frederick Prince was killed by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Stone determined that PFC Prince was not a most likely match for any “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, confirmed that PFC Prince was not a match to any Punchbowl Unknowns and submitted a report to JPAC noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered on Tarawa. PFC Prince was recovered from Cemetery 27, long hidden underneath a parking lot on Tarawa, and officially identified in April 2016.
PFC Anthony Brozyna was killed by gunshot wounds on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. In 2011/2012, Chief Stone determined that PFC Brozyna was not a most likely match for any “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, confirmed that PFC Brozyna was not a match to any Punchbowl Unknowns and submitted a report to JPAC noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered on Tarawa. PFC Brozyna was recovered from Cemetery 27, long hidden underneath a parking lot on Tarawa, and officially identified in April 2016.
CPL James Dimitri Otto was reported as Wounded in Action on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa but was never accounted for after the battle. In 2011/2012, Chief Stone determined that CPL Otto was not a most likely match for any “Unknowns” buried in the Punchbowl. Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, confirmed that CPL Otto was not a match to any Punchbowl Unknown and submitted a report to JPAC noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered on Tarawa. CPL Otto was recovered from Cemetery 27, long hidden underneath a parking lot on Tarawa, and officially identified on 11 September 2015.
Click here to listen to NO HOME FOR HEROES Podcast Episode 15 for more information on CPL Otto
1st LT Alexander Bonnyman, Jr, U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, F Company, 2nd Battalion, 18th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, was lost leading an assault on a Japanese bunker on 22 November 1943 on Tarawa. For his heroic actions, 1st LT Bonnyman was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. The Foundation received a request for a “Family Report” from 1st LT Bonnyman’s family which was forwarded on 11 October 2012. On 26 November 2012, Foundation researchers, using information not available at JPAC, eliminated 1st LT Bonnyman as a possible match to any unknown buried in the Punchbowl and submitted a report to JPAC noting his likely burial in Cemetery 27 on Tarawa, also known as the “Lost Cemetery”. During a construction project in 2015, Cemetery 27 was finally discovered on Tarawa. 1st LT Bonnyman was recovered from Cemetery 27, long hidden underneath a parking lot on Tarawa, and officially identified in August 2015.
2nd LT Stephen V. Biezis, U.S. Army Air Force, 575th Squadron, 391st Bomb Group, 9th Air Force, was the co-pilot of the B-26 “Silver Dollar” lost on a bombing mission to attack a railroad bridge in Ahrweiler, Germany on 23 December 1944. This was the first case assigned to Chief Stone to investigate as a member of the Department of Defense. Chief Stone submitted a report on 6 July 2011 noting that JPAC investigation teams had investigated the location of an aircraft crash near Manderscheid, Germany three times and a recovery team was currently excavating the same site at the time the report was being written. Chief Stone concluded that the crash site was exclusively correlated to LT Biezis’ aircraft and that LT Biezis and his pilot remained missing. LT Biezis was finally recovered in Germany and officially identified on 3 February 2015.
Click here to listen to NO HOME FOR HEROES Podcast Episode 34 for more information on 2nd LT Biezis
PVT Arthur H. “Bud” Kelder, U.S. Army, Medical Department, was captured by the Japanese during the Battle of Bataan and imprisoned in the Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp in the Philippines where he died of illness on 19 November 1942. PVT Kelder was buried in a common grave in the camp with 13 other American prisoners. After the war, four individuals were identified from the grave and ten “unknowns” were buried in the Manila American Cemetery. Chief Stone was asked to investigate these cases as a member of JPAC and prepared an Investigative Report on 8 March 2012 using the RISC System to list PVT Kelder as a most likely match to Unknown X-816. Later, the Foundation received a request for a “Family Report” from a member of PVT Kelder’s family. This report was prepared and forwarded on 25 February 2013 and confirmed PVT Kelder as a most likely match to Unknown X-816. PVT Kelder’s family filed a federal lawsuit seeking disinterment of X-816, which JPAC vigorously opposed. The family prevailed in the suit and Unknown X-816 was exhumed in June 2014. PVT Kelder was identified as Unknown X-816 by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory on 22 December 2014.
1st LT James Frank Gatlin, Jr., U.S. Army Air Force, 575th Squadron, 391st Bomb Group, 9th Air Force, was the pilot of the B-26 “Silver Dollar” lost on a bombing mission to attack a railroad bridge in Ahrweiler, Germany on 23 December 1944. This was the first case assigned to Chief Stone to investigate as a member of the Department of Defense. Chief Stone submitted a report on 6 July 2011 noting that JPAC investigation teams had investigated the location of an aircraft crash near Manderscheid, Germany three times and a recovery team was currently excavating the same site at the time the report was being written. Chief Stone concluded that the crash site was exclusively correlated to LT Gatlin’s aircraft and that LT Gatlin and his co-pilot remained missing. LT Gatlin was finally recovered from the crash site in Germany and officially identified on 9 January 2015.
Click here to listen to NO HOME FOR HEROES Podcast Episode 34 for more information on 1st LT Gatlin
PVT Jack Marvin Redman, U.S. Marine Corps, Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, was lost to a sniper’s bullet on 23 November 1943 on Tarawa. After discussing the case with a member of PVT Redman’s family, Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of Defense, submitted a report on 11 December 2011 noting the family’s belief that PVT Redman might be one of the unknowns in the Punchbowl. Later, the Foundation received a request for a “Family Report” from another member of PVT Redman’s family. This report was prepared and forwarded on 18 October 2012 noting that a photo existed in government records of PVT Redman’s lone grave in Cemetery 38 on Tarawa. PVT Redman was finally recovered from that exact location on Tarawa and officially identified in December 2014.
Private First Class Randolph Allen, was lost on November 1943 on Tarawa. Chief Stone, while a member of the Department of the Navy in 2011/2012 investigated all of the MIA’s from Tarawa and used the Random Incident Statistical Correlation System to compare them to all of the Tarawa Unknowns buried in the Punchbowl Cemetery in Hawaii. In 2013, a private organization uncovered a isolated burial site on Tarawa that contained four Japanese soldiers and PFC Allen, who was identified by his dog tags. The announcement of PFC Allen’s identification was officially announced by the news media on 18 June 2014.
PFC Lawrence S. Gordon, U.S. Army, Reconnaissance Company, 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division, was lost on 13 August 1944, near Ranes, France. Researchers from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation received a request for a “Family Report” from PFC Gordon’s family. This report was prepared and forwarded on 30 March 2013 using the RISC System to list PFC Gordon as a possible match to an “unknown” buried in a French cemetery. PFC Gordon was finally identified as the “unknown” buried in the French cemetery by the French government using DNA after JPAC refused to examine the remains. PFC Gordon was officially accounted for on 27 May 2014.
PFC Manley Forrest Winkley was lost on 20 November 1943 on Tarawa. After participating in field recovery efforts on Tarawa, researchers from the Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation submitted a report to JPAC on 26 November 2012 listing PFC Winkley as a possible match to remains recovered during the mission. In addition, the Foundation received a request for a “Family Report” from PFC Winkley’s family. This report was prepared and forwarded on 22 April 2013 listing PFC Winkley as a possible match to the recovered remains. Less than one year after the Foundation identified PFC Winkley as a match and 70 years after the Marine died, DPAA confirmed the identification on 1 June 2013.
C-124 Crash Site Colony Glacier, Alaska
On 13 June 2012, while a member of the Department of Defense, Chief Stone investigated an aircraft crash on the Colony Glacier in Alaska. Chief Stone correlated the crash site with the loss of a C-124 on 22 November 1952. Chief Stone submitted a report to JPAC which included a list of 52 “unresolved” casualties associated with this crash and recommended immediate recovery efforts of remains from the crash site. As of the date of this report, the following individuals have been identified. All were on the list originally submitted to JPAC by Chief Stone.
| BERGER | ALAN | 2nd LT | Army | |
| BURNS | BATEMAN | R | A2c | Air Force |
| CARD | ROBERT | DALE | PVT | Army |
| CHENEY | ALGER | MEREDITH | CAPT | Air Force |
| CODY | DELROY | C | A1c | Air Force |
| CONDON | THOMAS | J | A2c | Air Force |
| DUVALL | KENNETH | J | CAPT | Air Force |
| DYER | CARROLL | R | A2c | Air Force |
| GREEN Jr. | JAMES | R | PVT | Army |
| HAGEN | ENGOLF | W | TSGT | Air Force |
| HOBLIT | NOEL | ELMER | COL | Air Force |
| HOOTON | MARION | E | A1c | Air Force |
| INGRAM | GEORGE | MARION | A1c | Air Force |
| JACKSON | WAYNE | DEAN | A3c | Air Force |
| JACKSON | WILLIAM | C | MAJ | Air Force |
| KITTLE | LEONARD | A | PVT | Army |
| LOEFFLER | EDWIN | HENRY | 2nd LT | Army |
| LYONS | THOMAS | S | A2c | Air Force |
| MARTIN | HOWARD | E | A3c | Air Force |
| MATTHEWS | LLOYD | LEWIS | A2c | Air Force |
| MOON | ROBERT | E | 2nd LT | Air Force |
| OWEN | ROBERT | A | A2c | Air Force |
| PONIKVAR | JOHN JR | E | CAPT | Air Force |
| RAY Jr. | JAMES | HERBERT | SSGT | Air Force |
| SEEBOTH | ALBERT | J | CDR | Navy |
| SHEDA | DONALD | A | 1stLT | Air Force |
| SINGLETON | LAWRENCE | SCROGGS | LTCOL | Army |
| SMITH | EUGENE | COL | Air Force | |
| SPRAGUE | CONRAD | NEIL | A2c | Air Force |
| STEARNS | EARL | J | MAJ | Marines |
| THIGPEN | THOMAS | C | A2c | Air Force |
| TRIBBLE | WALTER | PERRIN | CAPT | Air Force |
| TURNBULL | ROBERT | W | CAPT | Air Force |
| TURNER | WILLIAM | I | 1stLT | Air Force |
| UNGER | LEONARD | GEORGE | TSGT | Army |
| VAN FOSSEN | ROBERT | DALE | SSGT | Air Force |
| WHITE | BERNIS | F | A2c | Air Force |
| ANDERSON | ISAAC | WILLIAM | AB | Air Force |
| BUDAHN | VERNE | CHESTER | A2c | Air Force |
| COSTLEY | EUGENE | RAYMOND | SSGT | Air Force |
| MIZE, Jr. | WILLIAM | EDMOND | A2c | Air Force |
| MILLER | EDWARD | JOHN | A2c | Air Force |
| BUIE | REGINALD | JULIAN | 2nd LT | Army |
| LEAFORD, Jr. | JACK | R. | 2nd LT | Air Force |
| COOMBES | WILLIAM | NELSON | Captain | Air Force |
| DRASKEY | DELBERT | D. | Captain | Air Force |
Click here to listen to NO HOME FOR HEROES Podcast Episode 39 for more information on the C-124 Crash in Alaska
Click here to listen to NO HOME FOR HEROES Podcast Episode 40 for more information on the C-124 Crash in Alaska
It is through your support of our Foundation’s efforts that the families of these recovered heroes finally received information and closure regarding their loss. On behalf of these brave men and that of their families, please accept our most sincere thank you.
Copyright 2012 – 2024, All Rights Reserved, The Chief Rick Stone and Family Charitable Foundation.