Remains discovered on an island in the Pacific Ocean have been identified as Donald Underwood. Donald went missing in 1944 during World War II
A Michigan airman whose plane crashed during World War II has been identified among the remains recently discovered on a Pacific Ocean island, the U.S. government said Thursday.
The family of 2nd Lt. Donald Underwood got the news last weekend during a meeting with the Defense Department. His 90-year-old brother, George, was in disbelief.
‘He threw his neck back and put his hankie to his mouth,’ said son-in-law Mike Mehall. ‘It was a complete surprise. We were starting to think we were running out of luck.’
Underwood, who was 23, was a member of the Army Air Forces during World War II. He was aboard a bomber known as the ‘Miss Bee Haven’ when it crashed in shallow water after takeoff from the Gilbert Islands in January 1944. Bodies were recovered and buried.
The area now is the country of Kiribati. Three months ago, Underwood’s remains were discovered along with others on Betio island by a Florida-based group, History Flight.
The group, which searches for the remains of U.S. war dead, contacted the Defense Department.
Donald was on board the ‘Miss Bee Haven’ bomber when it crashed in January 1944
Donald Underwood (far left) will now be buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Underwood’s dog tags were among the remains. His identity was confirmed by the government through further investigation, said Katie Rasdorf, a historian and volunteer with History Flight.
Underwood grew up in River Rouge, near Detroit, and was an electrician at Ford Motor Co., where co-workers called him ‘Sparky.’
George Underwood kept a rosary and a picture of his brother in his bedroom, praying that his remains would someday be found and returned to the U.S.
Underwood, who was 23, was a member of the Army Air Forces during World War II
Underwood’s dog tags were among the remains found on an island in the Pacific Ocean
Donald’s 90-year-old brother George kept a rosary and a picture of his brother in his bedroom
In March, with no progress reported, the family had a memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery. Underwood now will be buried at Arlington.
Mehall praised the staff of U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell for working closely with the family.
’73 years later,’ he said, ‘Donald will be coming home.’