2nd Lt Gilbert Haldeen Myers, missing out on since a 1943 WWII bomber crash in Sicily, was recently recognized and buried with full military honors, closing a decades-long search and honoring his service. Credit: DPAA/ Cranfield University
Nearly 80 years after a USAAF B-25 bomber crashed in Sicily during WWII, forensic experts determined the remains of co-pilot 2nd Lt Gilbert Haldeen Myers. The collective effort in between Cranfield University and the US DPAA culminated in Myers getting a burial with complete military honors, marking a considerable closure for his household.
On a summertimes day in July 1943, a USA B-25 Mitchell bomber left Tunisia in North Africa on an objective to attack the Sciacca Aerodrome in Sicily, Italy.
On board was a crew of six including 27-year-old United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) 2nd Lt Gilbert Haldeen Myers, the co-pilot. Myers of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was designated to the 381st Bombardment Squadron, 310th Bombardment Group.
For years, Myers was one of those people. In 1947, private investigators performed search and healing operations near Sciacca, however might not locate anything linking back to Myers.
Then last year, almost 80 years on from the B-25 crash, that altered. Forensic specialists from Cranfield Universitys Recovery and Identification of Conflict Casualties team (CRICC) worked in collaboration with coworkers from the United States Defense Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Agency (DPAA), taking a trip to Sciacca to undertake a painstaking investigation. In October 2023, investigators announced they had located human remains belonging to Myers, and through DNA analysis in the USA, he has now been accounted for.
But as the aircraft approached its designated target, the B-25 bomber was struck by anti-aircraft fire, causing it to lose altitude and crash in a field about one and a half miles from the aerodrome.
Witnesses at the time said one crew member bailed out of the B-25 before it crashed, but Myers remains were never ever recovered, and he was consequently declared missing in action. There were no survivors, or any record of travelers being taken prisoner.
US Army Air Forces (USAAF) 2nd Lt Gilbert Haldeen Myers, the co-pilot. Credit: DPAA
Painstaking Work to Recover 2nd Lt Myers
It is estimated that around 72,000 American workers are still unaccounted for from World War II alone, with around 39,000 deemed to be recoverable. For years, Myers was one of those people. In 1947, private investigators performed search and recovery operations near Sciacca, but might not locate anything connecting back to Myers.
However then last year, almost 80 years on from the B-25 crash, that changed. Forensic specialists from Cranfield Universitys Recovery and Identification of Conflict Casualties group (CRICC) operated in collaboration with associates from the US Defense Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Agency (DPAA), taking a trip to Sciacca to carry out a painstaking examination. In October 2023, investigators revealed they had located human remains belonging to Myers, and through DNA analysis in the USA, he has actually now been represented.
The Cranfield team consisted of a team of 20 people– each appointed to searching the vicinity surrounding the effect zone. Such an endeavor involved meticulous examination of tonnes of soil, intending to recover fragments of individual results or human remains crucial for recognizing team members.
Specialist Process Used to Analyse Remains
Dr. David Errickson, Senior Lecturer in Archaeology and Anthropology at Cranfield Forensic Institute, highlighted the difficulties they dealt with during the excavation in Sicily, highlighting their use of damp screening to evaluate items discovered. “This implementation was our longest yet,” he stated.
” During our operations, we systematically excavated the ground, diligently analyzing every piece that might potentially be bone or other proof. In difficult environments like the excavation website in Sicily, our group made use of damp screening, a procedure where excavated product is gone through water to separate and evaluate human remains and artifacts.”
He added: “This year has seen our forensic team included in the investigation of numerous considerable airplane crashes in Europe, including a Lockheed P-38 Lightning, a Douglas A-20 Havoc, a Martin B-26 Marauder, and an upcoming objective to the healing site of a Boeing B-17.”
He further emphasized the significance of such work, specifying: “The healing of 2nd Lt Myers remains not just facilitates a proper full military honors burial but likewise enables the household to receive any personal results found. Most importantly, it brings closure for the families of those missing or eliminated in action.”
United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) 2nd Lt Gilbert Haldeen Myers, the co-pilot. Credit: DPAA/ Cranfield University
The human remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory for evaluation and identification and on August 10 this year, DPAA identified them as belonging to Myers. They likewise recovered plane wreckage parts.
Identification at the DPAA included DNA analysis, in addition to circumstantial and anthropological proof discovered by the Cranfield team.
A Privilege to Locate a Missing Serviceman
Myers name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy, along with others still missing out on from WWII. There are now prepares to place a rosette next to his name to indicate he has been represented.
Ahead of Remembrance Day this year, he was buried in St. Petersburg, Florida, on November 10.
Dr. Nicholas Márquez-Grant, a Forensic Anthropologist at Cranfield Forensic Institute, added: “Sometimes excavations like these can yield absolutely nothing or remain uncertain.
” Additionally, situations are influenced by the post-incident land use. In locations where plowing has occurred or the terrain has actually modified, discoveries are typically restricted to small fragments. However, one little piece of proof can be essential in recognizing a person.
” In this case, playing a role in the quest to find a missing serviceman was an extensive privilege, bringing closure to Gilbert Haldeen Myers household.”
The group from Cranfield University included graduates of the Forensic MSc program.
The DPAA has been partnering with Cranfield University as part of its efforts to create new relationships with specialists in Europe.
Experts from Cranfield Forensic Institute (CFI) also assisted with the healing and identification earlier this year of U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Edgar L. Mills, who was killed in action over Germany throughout the Second World War. This becomes part of Cranfield Universitys continued devotion to recovering the missing who have actually died in disputes.
