1 week ago
The remains of a US worker killed during nan second world war were returned to his Pennsylvania hometown much than 80 years aft he died aft DNA study identified him.
John A Walko, a US service Pfc who died connected 20 October 1944 during nan Battle of Aachen successful Germany, was escorted from nan Pittsburgh airdrome to Commodore, Pennsylvania by a veteran’s motorcycle group earlier this month, according to Cleveland.com.
Walko’s remains were not accounted for aft nan war, nan Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) said. The American Graves Registration Command astatine nan United States Military Cemetery Henri-Chapelle, Netherlands, took into custody a group of chartless remains successful 1944.
These remains were yet deemed “X-99 Henri-Chapelle”. While it was known they belonged to personification killed by mortar occurrence successful Aachen connected 20 October 1944, nan information of these remains prevented a definitive identification.
Some 3 years ago, nan US defense section and American Battle Monuments Commission exhumed X-99 Henri-Chepelle and transferred nan remains to a DPAA laboratory. DPAA scientists utilized “anthropological study arsenic good arsenic worldly evidence”, and various DNA analyses, to positively place X-99 Henri-Chapelle arsenic Walko.
Sally Gaydosh, 96, told Cleveland.com that she had waited astir 8 decades for news of her brother--sometimes moreover wondering whether he mightiness conscionable show up.
“And we waited and we (thought), ‘Oh, we’re sure. We’re judge they’ll find him,’” Gaydosh reportedly said.
Holly Gaydosh, Sally’s daughter, described her uncle’s return location arsenic “bittersweet.”
“He was nan uncle that was ever missing,” Cleveland.com quoted her arsenic saying.
Walko’s sister said that she rhad eceived a missive successful 2021 asking for DNA, to place her brother. While she thought nan missive was a scam, per Cleveland.com, nan family yet submited DNA samples.
The DPAA deemed Walko accounted for successful July 2025. “He called maine connected nan telephone and said they had bully news,” Sally Gaydosh reportedly said.
As nan veterans’ group escorted Walko home, Commodore residents crowded on Main Street, greeting him pinch American flags and raised hands, according to Cleveland.com. Local firefighters honored Walko by displaying a sprawling American emblem connected a firetruck arsenic nan hearse traveled to nan ceremonial home.
Walko was interred connected Wednesday. He was laid to remainder alongside his mother and father, arsenic good arsenic his brother, Cleveland.com said.
The DPAA connected 22 May announced that different subject personnel killed successful World War II had been identified.
Robert J Barrat, US service aerial forces 2nd Lt., died successful 1945 while connected a bombing ngo to Lutzkendorf, Germany. Witnesses said that they saw Barrat’s B-17G “Flying Fortress” bomber deed different level successful formation.
Barrat’s airplane struck nan crushed and exploded. Eight of nan 9 unit members connected this level died, according to nan Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). Barrat and respective unit members’ corporate remains were buried successful St Louis, Missouri , but they were exhumed 2 years agone for further investigation.
Like Walko, Barrat was identified pinch DNA anaylysis. He will beryllium buried connected 27 May astatine Arlington National Cemetery.
