Key takeaways:
- The remains of Franklin P. Hall, an American airman listed as unaccounted for after his plane was shot down over France during WWII, have been found and identified.
- Hall was identified by scientists using anthropological and DNA analysis.
- The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) has accounted for more than 83,000 Americans since its establishment in 1973.
After nearly 80 years, the remains of an American airman who was listed as unaccounted for after his plane was shot down over France during World War II have been found and identified.
On July 13, 2020, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) declared the airman, Franklin P. Hall, 21, of Leesburg, Florida, officially accounted for. Hall was identified by scientists who used anthropological and DNA analysis.
Hall was the left waist gunner on a B-24D Liberator called “Queen Marlene” when it was attacked by German air forces near Équennes-Éramecourt, France on January 21, 1944. He was assigned to the 66th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in the European Theater in January 1944.
The recovery of Hall’s remains is part of a long and complex process that is being repeated with many other American servicemen believed to have died but whose remains are missing. German forces quickly found the crash site and recovered nine sets of remains, which were buried in a cemetery in France.
The DPAA is dedicated to the recovery and identification of missing American servicemen and women from past conflicts. To date, the agency has accounted for more than 83,000 Americans since its establishment in 1973.
Be First to Comment