Burial here
PRESS RELEASE | June 6, 2023 Airman Accounted For From World War II (Reitz, L.)
WASHINGTON –The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Air Forces Technical Sgt. Lawrence E. Reitz, 22, of Hoopeston, Illinois, killed during World War II, was accounted for May 5, 2023.
In the summer of 1943, Reitz was assigned to 343d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Reitz was serving as a radio operator crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war. The remains that could not be identified were buried as Unknowns in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania.
Following the war, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC), the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel, disinterred all American remains from the Bolovan Cemetery for identification. The AGRC was unable to identify more than 80 unknowns from Bolovan Cemetery, and those remains were permanently interred at Ardennes American Cemetery and Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, both in Belgium.
Reitz's name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Impruneta, Italy, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Reitz will be buried in Williamsport, Indiana, on a date to be determined.
--------------------------
Radio Op. T/Sgt. Lawrence Edward Reitz MIA/KIA
Hometown: Hoopeston, Vermilion County, Illinois
Service # 16027151
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart
Squadron: 343rd BS 98th Bomb Group
Pilot 1st./Lt. Lawrence Hadock KIA
Target:Ploesti, Rumania
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 42-40655
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter: S
Aircraft Name: FOUR EYES
Location:
Cause: FTR
Notes: 9 KIA (2 from 389th BG)
Sgt. Reitz of the 98th Bomb Group participated in Operation Tidal Wave - a U. S. Army Air Forces planned low-level bombing run during World War II to destroy oil refineries in and around Ploesti, Romania. Sgt. Reitz MIA/KIA probably lost at sea. His name appears Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery Florence, Italy, his body was never recovered.
Reitz was born about 1921 and entered the service from Illinois. His hometown was Hoopeston, Vermilion County, Illinois. Reitz was a Radio Operator on the B-24 piloted by Lawrence Hadcock in the 98th Bomb Group (Heavy) - the Pyramiders. He participated in Operation Tidal Wave - a U. S. Army Air Forces planned low-level bombing run during World War II to destroy oil refineries in and around Ploesti, Romania.
The "FOUR EYES" Crew
1st/Lt Lawrence Hadcock Pilot
2nd/Lt. John E. Kraft Co Pilot
2nd/Lt. William R. De Busks Navigator
2nd/Lt. Peter A. Timpo Bombardier
T/Sgt. James B. Hale
T/Sgt. Lawrence E. Reitzz Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Ralph D. Kolb
S/Sgt. Robert C. Elliott Gunner
S/Sgt. Robert C. Elliott Gunner
S/Sgt. Eugene J. O'Mara Gunner
S/Sgt. Zelwood A. Gravlin
In 2017, DPAA began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE losses. These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for examination and identification.
To identify Reitz's remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR) and autosomal DNA (auSTR) analysis.
PRESS RELEASE | June 6, 2023 Airman Accounted For From World War II (Reitz, L.)
WASHINGTON –The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Air Forces Technical Sgt. Lawrence E. Reitz, 22, of Hoopeston, Illinois, killed during World War II, was accounted for May 5, 2023.
In the summer of 1943, Reitz was assigned to 343d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Reitz was serving as a radio operator crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war. The remains that could not be identified were buried as Unknowns in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania.
Following the war, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC), the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel, disinterred all American remains from the Bolovan Cemetery for identification. The AGRC was unable to identify more than 80 unknowns from Bolovan Cemetery, and those remains were permanently interred at Ardennes American Cemetery and Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, both in Belgium.
Reitz's name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Impruneta, Italy, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Reitz will be buried in Williamsport, Indiana, on a date to be determined.
--------------------------
Radio Op. T/Sgt. Lawrence Edward Reitz MIA/KIA
Hometown: Hoopeston, Vermilion County, Illinois
Service # 16027151
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart
Squadron: 343rd BS 98th Bomb Group
Pilot 1st./Lt. Lawrence Hadock KIA
Target:Ploesti, Rumania
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 42-40655
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter: S
Aircraft Name: FOUR EYES
Location:
Cause: FTR
Notes: 9 KIA (2 from 389th BG)
Sgt. Reitz of the 98th Bomb Group participated in Operation Tidal Wave - a U. S. Army Air Forces planned low-level bombing run during World War II to destroy oil refineries in and around Ploesti, Romania. Sgt. Reitz MIA/KIA probably lost at sea. His name appears Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery Florence, Italy, his body was never recovered.
Reitz was born about 1921 and entered the service from Illinois. His hometown was Hoopeston, Vermilion County, Illinois. Reitz was a Radio Operator on the B-24 piloted by Lawrence Hadcock in the 98th Bomb Group (Heavy) - the Pyramiders. He participated in Operation Tidal Wave - a U. S. Army Air Forces planned low-level bombing run during World War II to destroy oil refineries in and around Ploesti, Romania.
The "FOUR EYES" Crew
1st/Lt Lawrence Hadcock Pilot
2nd/Lt. John E. Kraft Co Pilot
2nd/Lt. William R. De Busks Navigator
2nd/Lt. Peter A. Timpo Bombardier
T/Sgt. James B. Hale
T/Sgt. Lawrence E. Reitzz Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Ralph D. Kolb
S/Sgt. Robert C. Elliott Gunner
S/Sgt. Robert C. Elliott Gunner
S/Sgt. Eugene J. O'Mara Gunner
S/Sgt. Zelwood A. Gravlin
In 2017, DPAA began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE losses. These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for examination and identification.
To identify Reitz's remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR) and autosomal DNA (auSTR) analysis.
Burial here
PRESS RELEASE | June 6, 2023 Airman Accounted For From World War II (Reitz, L.)
WASHINGTON –The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Air Forces Technical Sgt. Lawrence E. Reitz, 22, of Hoopeston, Illinois, killed during World War II, was accounted for May 5, 2023.
In the summer of 1943, Reitz was assigned to 343d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Reitz was serving as a radio operator crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war. The remains that could not be identified were buried as Unknowns in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania.
Following the war, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC), the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel, disinterred all American remains from the Bolovan Cemetery for identification. The AGRC was unable to identify more than 80 unknowns from Bolovan Cemetery, and those remains were permanently interred at Ardennes American Cemetery and Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, both in Belgium.
Reitz's name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Impruneta, Italy, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Reitz will be buried in Williamsport, Indiana, on a date to be determined.
--------------------------
Radio Op. T/Sgt. Lawrence Edward Reitz MIA/KIA
Hometown: Hoopeston, Vermilion County, Illinois
Service # 16027151
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart
Squadron: 343rd BS 98th Bomb Group
Pilot 1st./Lt. Lawrence Hadock KIA
Target:Ploesti, Rumania
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 42-40655
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter: S
Aircraft Name: FOUR EYES
Location:
Cause: FTR
Notes: 9 KIA (2 from 389th BG)
Sgt. Reitz of the 98th Bomb Group participated in Operation Tidal Wave - a U. S. Army Air Forces planned low-level bombing run during World War II to destroy oil refineries in and around Ploesti, Romania. Sgt. Reitz MIA/KIA probably lost at sea. His name appears Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery Florence, Italy, his body was never recovered.
Reitz was born about 1921 and entered the service from Illinois. His hometown was Hoopeston, Vermilion County, Illinois. Reitz was a Radio Operator on the B-24 piloted by Lawrence Hadcock in the 98th Bomb Group (Heavy) - the Pyramiders. He participated in Operation Tidal Wave - a U. S. Army Air Forces planned low-level bombing run during World War II to destroy oil refineries in and around Ploesti, Romania.
The "FOUR EYES" Crew
1st/Lt Lawrence Hadcock Pilot
2nd/Lt. John E. Kraft Co Pilot
2nd/Lt. William R. De Busks Navigator
2nd/Lt. Peter A. Timpo Bombardier
T/Sgt. James B. Hale
T/Sgt. Lawrence E. Reitzz Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Ralph D. Kolb
S/Sgt. Robert C. Elliott Gunner
S/Sgt. Robert C. Elliott Gunner
S/Sgt. Eugene J. O'Mara Gunner
S/Sgt. Zelwood A. Gravlin
In 2017, DPAA began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE losses. These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for examination and identification.
To identify Reitz's remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR) and autosomal DNA (auSTR) analysis.
PRESS RELEASE | June 6, 2023 Airman Accounted For From World War II (Reitz, L.)
WASHINGTON –The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Air Forces Technical Sgt. Lawrence E. Reitz, 22, of Hoopeston, Illinois, killed during World War II, was accounted for May 5, 2023.
In the summer of 1943, Reitz was assigned to 343d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Reitz was serving as a radio operator crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war. The remains that could not be identified were buried as Unknowns in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania.
Following the war, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC), the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel, disinterred all American remains from the Bolovan Cemetery for identification. The AGRC was unable to identify more than 80 unknowns from Bolovan Cemetery, and those remains were permanently interred at Ardennes American Cemetery and Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, both in Belgium.
Reitz's name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Impruneta, Italy, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Reitz will be buried in Williamsport, Indiana, on a date to be determined.
--------------------------
Radio Op. T/Sgt. Lawrence Edward Reitz MIA/KIA
Hometown: Hoopeston, Vermilion County, Illinois
Service # 16027151
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart
Squadron: 343rd BS 98th Bomb Group
Pilot 1st./Lt. Lawrence Hadock KIA
Target:Ploesti, Rumania
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 1-Aug-43
Serial Number: 42-40655
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter: S
Aircraft Name: FOUR EYES
Location:
Cause: FTR
Notes: 9 KIA (2 from 389th BG)
Sgt. Reitz of the 98th Bomb Group participated in Operation Tidal Wave - a U. S. Army Air Forces planned low-level bombing run during World War II to destroy oil refineries in and around Ploesti, Romania. Sgt. Reitz MIA/KIA probably lost at sea. His name appears Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery Florence, Italy, his body was never recovered.
Reitz was born about 1921 and entered the service from Illinois. His hometown was Hoopeston, Vermilion County, Illinois. Reitz was a Radio Operator on the B-24 piloted by Lawrence Hadcock in the 98th Bomb Group (Heavy) - the Pyramiders. He participated in Operation Tidal Wave - a U. S. Army Air Forces planned low-level bombing run during World War II to destroy oil refineries in and around Ploesti, Romania.
The "FOUR EYES" Crew
1st/Lt Lawrence Hadcock Pilot
2nd/Lt. John E. Kraft Co Pilot
2nd/Lt. William R. De Busks Navigator
2nd/Lt. Peter A. Timpo Bombardier
T/Sgt. James B. Hale
T/Sgt. Lawrence E. Reitzz Radio Op.
S/Sgt. Ralph D. Kolb
S/Sgt. Robert C. Elliott Gunner
S/Sgt. Robert C. Elliott Gunner
S/Sgt. Eugene J. O'Mara Gunner
S/Sgt. Zelwood A. Gravlin
In 2017, DPAA began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE losses. These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for examination and identification.
To identify Reitz's remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR) and autosomal DNA (auSTR) analysis.
Inscription
T SGT 343 BOMB SQ 98 BOMB GP(H) ILLINOIS
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