Georgia POW / MIA Honor Guard, American Legion, Department of Georgia

Georgia POW / MIA Honor Guard, American Legion, Department of Georgia The POW/MIA Honor Guard was formed to keep alive the memory of fallen, missing, or imprisoned military service-members.

This group of men and women are dedicated to the cause and mission of recovering and bringing home our missing U.S. Service men and women and to help bring closure to their loved ones. The mission of the POW/MIA Committee is:
Keeping the Promise; They are not forgotten until they are home! These are strong ideals that our group applies every day. We are committed to these ideals in order to bring

closure to the families of our service men and women, who don't know for sure what happened to their loved ones since the last time they saw them, hugged and kissed them goodbye. Our mission is to make and keep everyone aware of the ongoing effort to keep the memories and hopes alive until we can finally say:
"WELCOME HOME COMRADE, WELCOME HOME.”

Tommy Cannon-----Commander
Jerry Price------------1st Vice Commander
Colin Cressman-----Sgt of the Guard
Mike Brewster-------Chaplain/Honor Guard
Ed Kennedy----------Honor Guard
Dan Pipher-----------Honor Guard
James Gieger-------Honor Guard
James Cressman---Honor Guard/Music Tech
Rusty Draper---------Honor Guard
Steve Jennings------Honor Guard/ Photo/Media
Christine White------Honor Guard/Media
Pete Woodruff-------Honor Guard/Trainer/Mentor

Our support group also assists us throughout the year:
Peggy Beascoechea-----Media/Honor Guard
Walt Cusik---Legion Commander
Brian Zeringue--State Veterans Department--Atlanta
Tommy Clack----Heroes Walk, Conyers GA
Tommy Hatton---Dept Ga Historian
Tom Bell---SAL Commander
Julia Ulutas----Photo/Media
Gail Evilsior----Legion Historian/Honrary Guard
Russ Wood----Jr Vice Commander, Legion / Editor Horce Orr Ness
Eddie Asberry---Dept Commander

08/08/2026

The Department of Defense announced this week the return of three U.S. personnel to their families for burial with full military honors and to bring closure to their loved ones.

Kenneth L. Carpenter, 22, of Western Post, Maryland, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, lost on 05/23/1944---accounted for on 06/11/2026---Cisterns d. Littora, Italy/ WWII

USAF, Colonel Walter A. Renelt, 40 of Roberts County, South Carolina, 20th Tactical Squadron, lost on 11/20/1969---accounted for on 06/23/2026---North Vietnam

Army, PFC Charles S. Lanier, 29 of Green County, Georgia, POW on 04/09/1942---accounted for on 04/28/2026---Bataan / WWII

TOTAL TO DATE---153
WWII-------------------117
KOREA-----------------33
VIETNAM------------- --3

08/07/2026

The Department of defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced this week the return of four (4) U.S. service personnel to their families for burial with full military honors and to bring closure to their loved ones.

USAAF, SGT Leonard J. McNeill,27, of Orlando, Florida, 881st Bombardment Squadron, 500th Bombardment Group, (very heavy) POW on 05/26/1945---Accounted for on 10/09/2025---Tokyo Prison Fire/WWII

USAAF, PFC Bernard F. Sweet, 21, of Bennington, Vermont, Headquarter Squadron---POW on 04/09/1942---Accounted for on 08/14/2025---Bataan/WWII

Navy, Fireman 1st Class Joseph U. Conner, 26, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, USS Utah, lost on 12/07/1941---accounted for on 05/20/2026---Pearl Harbor/WWII

Army, PFC Kenneth L. Carpenter, 22, of Western Port, Maryland, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, lost on 05/23/1944---accounted for on 06/18/2026---Cisterna di Littorina, Italy/WWII

TOTAL TO DATE----150
WORLD WAR II-----115
KOREAN WAR-------33
VIETNAM WAR--------2

07/17/2026

The Department of defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced this week the return of 8 (eight) U.S. service personnel to their families for burial with full military honors and to bring closure to their loved ones.

USAAF, 1stLt Franklin H. McKinney, 21, of Providence County, Rhode Island, 35th Reconnaissance Squadron, 14th Air Force, lost on 11/05/1944---accounted for on 05/15/2026---Yunnanyri. China/WWII

USAAF, SGT Henry L. Younge, 20, of Copiague, New York, 30th Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group (very Heavy) POW on 04/24/1945---accounted for on 08/24/2025---Toyko Prison Fire /WWII

Army, PVT Jacob Cornsilk, 29, of Harnet County, North Carolina, 31st Infantry Regiment, POW on 04/09/1942---accounted for on 06/16/2026---Bataan/WWII

USAAF, SSGT Harold T. Thompson, 24, of Latah County, Idaho, 718th Bombardment Squadron, 449th Bombardment Group, lost on 01/30/1944---accounted for on 06/10/2026---Udine, Italy/WWII

USAAF, SSGT Given C. Grooms, 21, of Pike County, Ohio, 718th Bombardment Squadron, 449th Bombardment Group, lost on 01/30/1944---accounted for on 06/09/2026, Udine, Italy/WWII

USAAF, SSGT Nick Gavalas, 20, of Jefferson County, Alabama, 718th Bombardment Squadron, 449th Bombardment Group, lost on 01/30/1944---accounted for on 06/10/2026---Udine, Italy/ WWII

USAAF, CPL Gerald W. Herrington, 21, of Inghram County, Michigan, 718th Bombardment Squadron, 449th Bombardment Group, lost on 01/30/1944---accounted for on 06/10/2026---Udine, Italy/WWII

USAAF, SGT William A. Jones, 26, of Floyd County, Georgia, 718th Bombardment Squadron, 449th Bombardment Group, lost on 01/30/1944---accounted for on 06/10/2026---Udine, Italy/WWII

TOTAL TO DATE----146
WWII--------------------111
KOREA------------------33
VIETNAM-----------------2

06/29/2026

The Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced this week the return of (2) two U.S. personnel to their families for burial with full military honors and to bring closure to their loved ones.

Army Cpl George T. Hill, 18, of Los Angeles, California, Company B, 3rd Engineer Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, lost on 08/11/1950---accounted for on 07/09/2025---Chang-dong, Korea

USAF, SSGT Don F. Worley, 31, of White County, Arkansas, Lima Site 85, Lost on 03/11/1968---accounted for on 06/22/2026---Phou Pha Th/ Vietnam

TOTAL TO DATE----138
WORLD WAR 11----103
KOREA------------------33
VIETNAM----------------2

05/23/2026

The Department of Defense announced the return of (6) six U.S. personnel to their families this week for burial with full military honors and to bring closure to their loved ones.

USAAF, 2ndLt Robert J. Barrat, 20, of Woodsocket, Rhode Island, 425th Bombardment Squadron, 303 Bombardment Group, Eighth Air Force, lost on 02/09/1945---Accounted for on 04/30/2025---Lutzkendorf, Germany/WWII

Army, CPL Orestus M. Stewart, 20, of Magnolia Springs, Texas, Medical Company, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, lost on 08/11/1950---Accounted for on 11/26/2025---Kyong-ju/Korea

Army, CPL Charles L. Carroll, Jr of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Company B, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, lost on 12/31/1950---Accounted for on 08/052025---Chosin Reservoir/Korea

Army, SSGT Carl F. Abbott,35, of Salinas, California, Company C, 194th Tank Battalion, POW on 04/09/1942---Accounted for on 01/05/2026---Bataan/WWII

Army, 1stLt Robert P. Aikman, 40, of Forsyth, Missouri, Battery D, 59th Coastal Artillery Corps, POW on 01/09/1945---Accounted for on 04/02/2025---Enoura Maru, POW Transport Ship/WWII

USMCR, PFC Helmut F. Bethlert, 27, of Salt Lake City, Utah, Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, lost on 06/15/1944---Accounted for on 10/09/2025---Saipan/WWII

TOTAL TO DATE-----136
WWII---------------------103
KOREA-------------------32
VIETNAM------------------1

05/15/2026

The Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the return of (7) seven U.S. personnel to their families for burial with full military honors and to bring closure to their loved ones.

Navy, Seaman 1st Class Paul E. Newton, 20, of Romney, Indiana, USS Wett Virginia, lost on 12/07/1941---Accounted for on 09/30/2024---Pearl Harbor/WWII

USAAF, 2nLt Joseph L. Burke, 20, of Troy, New York, Battery F, 60th Coastal Artillery Regiment, POW on 04/09/1942---Accounted for on 06/11/2025---Bataan/WWII

USAAF, PFC Stanley H. Kingman, 24, of Saratoga, New York, 27th Material Squadron, 20th Air Base Group, POW on 04/09/1942---Accounted for on 03/31/2026---Bataan/WWII

Army, PFC Charles O. Killian, 18, of Jefferson County, Washington, Company F, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, lost on 04/25/1951---accounted for on 03/19/2025---Ukkalgye, South Korea

Army, PFC Joseph A. Rotarius, 19, of Macomb County, Michigan, Company I, 3rd Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, lost on 10/18/1944---accounted for on 02/18/2025---Haaren, Germany/WWII

Army, PFC John A. Walks, 20, of Commodore, Pennsylvania, Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, lost on 10/20/1944---accounted for on 07/16/2025---Aachen, Germany/WWII

Navy, Aviation Radioman 2nd Class, 19, of New Haven, Connecticut, Navy Patrol Squadron 91, lost on 01/22/1944---accounted for on 11/05/2025---Seqond Channel, New Hebrides/WWII

TOTAL TO DATE---128
WWII--------------------97
KOREA-----------------30
VIETNAM---------------1

05/15/2026

The Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced this week the return of two (2) U.S. personnel to their families for burial with full military honors and to bring closure to their loved ones.

USMC, PFC Edgar R. Norcross, 18, of Manchester New Hampshire, Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron, 232 Marine Air Group, 4th Marine Air Wing, Air Defense Command, Lost on 03/16/1945---Accounted for on 06/12/2025---Ulithil, Caroline Islands/WWII

USAAF, 2ndLt William E. Nevois, 21, of Praire du Rocher, Illinois, 613th Bombardment Squadron, 401st Bombardment Group, Eighth Air Force, lost on 10/07/1944---Accounted for on 03/27/2025---Politz, Germany/WWII

TOTAL TO DATE---130
WWII--------------------99
KOREA-----------------30
VIETNAM---------------1

04/17/2026

The Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency annoucned this week the return of (3) three U.S. personnel to their families for burial with full military honors and to bring closure to their loved ones.

Army , TSGT Richard E. Roe, Jr, 22, of Monongalia County, West Virginia, Headquarters Company, 5307 Composite Unit ( Merrills Maruraders), 3rd Battalion, Lost on 06/16/1944---Accounted for on 02/26/2026---Battle of Myitkyina/WWII

Army, CPL Harry R. Dobbins, 19, of Clay County, Wets Virginia, Company C,1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, Lost on 07/20/1950---Accounted for on 03/03/2026---Taejon/Korea

Army, SGT Celestno Chavez, Jr, 19, of Gallup, New Mexico, D Battery, 15th Anti-Aircraft Artillery, Automatic Weapons Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, Lost on 11/30/1950---Accounted for on 04/15/2025---Chosin Reservoir/Korea

TOTAL TO DATE---109
WWII--------------------80
KOREA-----------------28
VIETNAM---------------1

04/12/2026

The Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced this week the return of (2) two U.S. personnel to their families for burial with full military honors and to bring closure to their loved ones..

Army, Tech 5 Edwin E. Ross,24, of Philadephia, Mississippi, 17th Bombardment Squadron, 27th Bombardment Group, POW on 04/09/1942---Accounted for on 07/18/2026---Bataan/WWII

USAAF, 2ndLt Donald L. Durand, 25, of Stockton, California, 77th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group, Lost on 02/04/1944---Accounted for on 07/28/2025---Mainz, Germany/WWII

TOTAL TO DATE-----106
WWII----------------------79
KOREA------------------26
VIETNAM-----------------1

03/20/2026

The Department of Defense announced this week the return of (10) ten U.S. personnel to their families for burial with full military honors and to bring closure to their loved ones.

Army, SGT Henry L. Huber, 22, of Elk County, Pennsylvania, Company M, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, Lost on 05/18/1951---Accounted for on 01/20/2026---Han'gye/Korea

Army, PFC Richard A. Meech, 33, of Monroe County, New York, Headquarters Company,1st Battalion,109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, Lost on 11/06/1944---Accounted for on 12/13/2025---Hurtgen Forest/WWII

Army, SSGT Carl F. Abbott, 35, of Monterey County, California, Company C, 194th Tank Battalion, POW on 04/09/1942---Accounted for on 01/05/2026---Bataan/WWII

Army, PVT Marvin N. Everts, 20, of Lee County , Arkansas, 194th Tank Battalion, POW on 04/09/1942---Accounted for on 01/05/2026---Bataan/WWII

Army, PVT Elmer F. Blonien, 27, of Wood County, Wisconsin, Company A, 192 Tank Battalion, POW om 04/09/1942---Accounted for on 01/05/2026---Bataan/WWII

USAAF, SSGT Rae G. DeMatteis, 20, of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 429th Bombardment Squadron, 2nd Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force, Lost on 03/22/1945---Accounted for on 12/15/2025---Glinica, Poland/WWII

USAAF, TSGT William P. Butler, 22, Morehouse Parish, Louisiana, 5th Air Corps Squadron, POW on 04/09/1942---Accounted for on 12/22/2025---Bataan/WWII

USAAF, 2ndLt Andrew J. Litz, 21, of Nebraska, 458th Bombardment Squadron, 330th Bombardment Group,(very heavy), POW on 04/14/1945---Accounted for on 12/23/2025---Tokyo Prison Fire/WWII

USAAF, 1stLt Edward T. Mossman,Jr 24, of Hamilton County , Ohio, 510th Fighter Squadron, 405th Fighter Group, Lost on 12/17/1944---Accounted for on 01/06/2026---Saint-Vith, Belgium/WWII

USAAF, 2ndLt James A. Reinhart, Jr 23, of St Louis County, Missouri, 5th Bombardment Squadron, 9th Bombardment Group, (very heavy), POW on 05/26/1945---Accounted for on 01/06/2026---Tokyo Prison Fire/WWII

TOTAL TO DATE-----92
WWII---------------------66
KOREA------------------25
VIETNAM-----------------1

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