#WWIIMIA #MissingInAction #AmericanHeroes
Hey there! Did you know that there are still over 72,100 Americans missing from World War II? š² That’s a huge number of brave soldiers and service members who never made it back home. It’s a sobering reminder of the sacrifices made during one of the darkest periods in human history.
But what does it mean to be “missing in action”? Well, it’s a term used to describe military personnel who have disappeared during combat or while on a mission and whose fate is still unknown. It could mean that they were killed in action but their remains were never recovered, or that they were captured as prisoners of war and their whereabouts are still a mystery.
The sheer number of missing American service members from World War II is staggering, and it’s a testament to the scale of the conflict and the enormity of the sacrifices made by so many. Just imagine the impact on their families, who have been left with unanswered questions and a constant sense of loss and longing for closure.
While many of these missing individuals will likely never be found, efforts are still ongoing to locate and identify the remains of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Organizations like the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) are dedicated to this mission, using a variety of methods including archival research, forensic analysis, and recovery operations to bring closure to the families of the missing.
In recent years, advances in technology have allowed for new methods of identification, such as DNA analysis and forensic anthropology, which have helped to bring home the remains of some of these heroes. It’s a small but significant comfort for the families of the missing, who have waited for decades to lay their loved ones to rest with the dignity and honor they deserve.
This is not just a historical issue, it’s a living, breathing reminder of the sacrifices made by those who came before us. These individuals were sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, and it’s our duty to remember and honor them for their service and sacrifice.
The stories of these missing Americans are a powerful reminder of the human cost of war, and the importance of never forgetting those who have given everything for their country. It’s a reminder to cherish the freedoms and opportunities that we have today, and to never take them for granted.
There are also countless untold stories of heroism and bravery among those who are still missing, and it’s important to remember that their sacrifices were not in vain. Their memory lives on in the hearts of those who loved them, and in the collective consciousness of a nation that owes them an immeasurable debt of gratitude.
So, the next time you see a flag flying at half-mast, or hear the national anthem being played, take a moment to think about the thousands of Americans who are still missing from World War II. Their sacrifice deserves to be remembered, honored, and never forgotten.
To support the efforts to bring these missing Americans home, you can donate to organizations like the DPAA, or volunteer your time to assist in their mission. Every small contribution brings us one step closer to giving these heroes the closure and recognition they deserve.
Let’s come together as a nation to ensure that the 72,100 Americans still missing from World War II are never forgotten. They are more than just numbers, they are our heroes, and their sacrifice should never be overlooked or diminished. šŗšø
Yea, about that, I have bad news for you.
put missing person milk carton on MySpace
They’re dead, Jim.š
https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaFamWebWWII
72,100 figure coems from here
81,000 missing since ww2: approximately 75% of the losses are located in the Indo-Pacific region, and over 41,000 of the missing are presumed lost at sea (such as ship losses and known aircraft water losses).
Interesting. I guess they can’t just declare definitively that they’re dead, because they still theoretically could be alive and in their 90s. I wonder where the line is drawn, like when they stopped including missing WWI soldiers?
For clarity, itās missing Americans *since* World War II.
āAs of the latest update on May 22, 2023, more than 81,000 Americans remain missing from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the Gulf Wars/other conflicts.ā
I want to think at least one of them was a cargo pilot flying over the Hump who survived a crash landing and said fuck this, walked to a Buddhist temple, became a monk, and lived happily ever after.
They’re probably dead.
My grandfather told the story of burying a young man at sea, either Iwo Jima or Okinawa from the USS Athene. I’ve always wondered whether his family knew, though I’m fairly sure not. What those poor kids went through was hell
Not missing, vaporized or lost at sea is more like it.
Trump would refer to them as ālosers and suckersā
I donāt think theyāre coming back.
Maybe they’re on that farm my parents took my dogs, cats and those three fish I had.
Fun story on a tragic post: My grandfather served on a Naval Minesweeper in the Pacific theater. The story he told us was that they got a monkey off one of the islands they docked on, they got it registered into the military, it had it’s own tags and number and everything, one day they’re being attacked and the monkey jumped ship and was never seen again and had to be listed as missing. Now, I don’t know how true the story is, but that means there’s a chance that one of those 72,100 missing is a monkey.
Hmm reminds me of my grandfather who served in WWII on a sub and he made the very significant comment that the submariners that lost their lives in combat are not at Arlington, they are buried in the ocean.
Hopefully we find them.
I great uncle is one of them. They said he died in a plane crash over a cannibal country or something. But we later found out that he mightāve been alive in Colorado. But couldnāt find out any other information. My aunt never remarried. Or was with any other man for the rest of her life.
whatās most terrifying to me is how much of these missing people were completely vaporised by a bomb or something. like completely blown into thousands of pieces, completely unrecognisable and unfindable.
Yeah, thatās kinda why thereās a distinction between KIA and MIA
I don’t think he was categorized as missing, but a friend had a relatives remains identified from the USS Oklahoma a few years ago.
My uncle’s plane was possibly foundin China about 20 years ago, the DOD requested a cheeck swab from his 2 sisters for a DNA match to confirm it was him. They both refused. I have no idea why, it would have nice for the rest of the family to know.
And that is why we have the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news. But, I think they may be dead.
My great uncle is among them. Army air corps pilot downed and never found.
1945 – 12 million active duty soldiers
– 400,000 dead
– 672,000 wounded
For only 72,100 missing , is actually pretty low
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/students-teachers/student-resources/research-starters/research-starters-us-military-numbers
My great uncle is one of them. Went missing in a dirigible in the pacific.
i hope we find themš
Including WASP pilot Gertrude “Tommy” Tompkins who was supposed to ferry a new P-51 Mustang fighter across the country. She took off from Los Angeles and vanished without a trace.
Iām far from an expert, but I think they are dead now.