Baltimore Sun - United States
Defense Dept. holds session on finding MIAs
By Mary Gail Hare
March 29, 2009
Calvin and Kenneth Bayne, 81-year-old twins, can easily recall boxing lessons and camping trips with their big brother Robert. Also etched into their boyhood memories is the day in 1945 that a telegram arrived, telling them that Pfc. Robert Bayne, then 26, was missing in action near Mannheim, Germany. His remains were never recovered.
"We have his Purple Heart, the telegram and his letters," said Calvin Bayne. "But we still want to bring him home."
On Saturday, the 64th anniversary of the date they lost Robert, the Baynes joined 80 families gathered at a conference in Bethesda to learn what the military can do to return their loved ones. The event, organized by the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office, included spouses, siblings and children of MIAs, like the Baynes of Dundalk.
"When someone goes missing, it changes the family's life immediately and forever," said Linda Watkins-Green of Germantown, the daughter of Air Force Capt. Richard E. Watkins Jr. In 1955, when she was 2, her father was shot down during a Cold War reconnaissance flight off the far eastern reaches of Russia. It would be nearly 50 years before Russia opened its archives to the U.S. and clues to what happened to his plane were found.
The conference gave her an opportunity "to do something for my father and to give my 83-year-old mother some closure," she said.
During the daylong event, families heard how the agency, known as the DPMO, has been involved since 1995 in a worldwide effort to locate and identify remains.
"We owe it to these families," said Charles A. Ray, a former ambassador to Cambodia and a Vietnam veteran, who leads the effort for the Department of Defense. "We have to do everything possible to find, return and identify the remains - or to explain to the family why we are unable to do that, so that they have some sense of what happened."
The agency, relying heavily on recent technology - particularly DNA science - as well as oral histories, military records, and personal effects, identified 80 Americans last year, three of them from World War I.
"Don't walk out without giving us DNA," James J. Canik, deputy director of the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, asked the families. "You might hold the key that is sacred to our success."
The Bayne brothers, also veterans, submitted DNA samples last year and are poring over information provided by the agency. They scheduled a private briefing Saturday.
"We try not to build false hope, but even when we have exhausted all resources, we never close the case," said Larry Greer, DPMO spokesman.
Families play a critical role in the success of the effort, organizers said. The remains of a Navy pilot shot down in Vietnam were ultimately identified when his widow found an envelope with the curls from his first haircut.
In another case, a 1950s letter from a missing Korean War soldier's mother described a gap between his front teeth. It stayed in a file until, decades later, it provided the last clue to the identity of a soldier, whose shallow grave was located in North Korea.
The event also gave families the chance to share glimpses into the lives lost.
All Charleye Dyer knows of her father was gleaned from his letters to her mother, photographs and memorabilia. Lt. Charles G. Dyer, a Navy pilot, died in 1943 during a battle near the Solomon Islands, three months before his only child was born. She came to the conference "still looking for answers," she said.
"Nothing of him was ever recovered, but still there is this hope that there is something of him to bring home," said Dyer, of Dickeyville. "This is all about keeping the candle burning and doing something to honor my dad."
Nita Lumpkin came from Stanardsville, Va., with a map of Vietnam to show where her brother, Capt. Hugh Byrd, disappeared while flying reconnaissance in 1969.
"They have excavated the crash site twice without finding human remains," Lumpkin said. "I know these people have done all they can, and I come here feeling blessed to be with others. We are all experiencing All Saints Day today."
Showing posts with label WWI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WWI. Show all posts
29 March 2009
31 December 2008
Vet Buckles Honored
Martinsburg Journal - Martinsburg, WV, USA
POSTED: December 31, 2008
CHARLES TOWN - Jefferson County's Frank Woodruff Buckles, 107, became the last known surviving American World War I veteran early this year, after Harry Richard Landis, 108, died Feb. 4.
Buckles has since received numerous honors, including a visit to the White House to meet President Bush on March 6. Buckles was also the guest of honor the same day at the Pentagon, where a WWI veterans portrait exhibit was unveiled.
The portraits of Buckles and other World War I veterans were taken by photographer David DeJonge and then donated to the Pentagon for a permanent exhibit.
Of the nine veterans who sat for portraits beginning in 2006, only two are still alive: Buckles, along with John F. Babcock, who is now 108. Babcock served in the Canadian Army in WWI and the U.S. Army in the 1940s, and he lives in Spokane, Wash.
Buckles entered the Army on Aug. 14, 1917, when he was just 16. He served two years overseas during World War I, in England and France, where he worked as an ambulance driver and an escort.
He was later captured as a prisoner of war at the beginning of World War II, when he was working as a civilian for a shipping company in the Philippines. Buckles spent more than three years in Japanese prison camps, and he was rescued on Feb. 23, 1945.
He and his wife, Audrey, bought Gap View Farm near Charles Town in January 1954. His wife passed away in 1999, but his daughter and son-in-law live with him now.
This year he was also honored by Gov. Joe Manchin, who named a portion of W.Va. 9 in Buckles' honor during April.
Recently, Buckles talked about how quickly the numbers of veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam are diminishing, and how he never expected to become the last American survivor of World War I.
POSTED: December 31, 2008
CHARLES TOWN - Jefferson County's Frank Woodruff Buckles, 107, became the last known surviving American World War I veteran early this year, after Harry Richard Landis, 108, died Feb. 4.
Buckles has since received numerous honors, including a visit to the White House to meet President Bush on March 6. Buckles was also the guest of honor the same day at the Pentagon, where a WWI veterans portrait exhibit was unveiled.
The portraits of Buckles and other World War I veterans were taken by photographer David DeJonge and then donated to the Pentagon for a permanent exhibit.
Of the nine veterans who sat for portraits beginning in 2006, only two are still alive: Buckles, along with John F. Babcock, who is now 108. Babcock served in the Canadian Army in WWI and the U.S. Army in the 1940s, and he lives in Spokane, Wash.
Buckles entered the Army on Aug. 14, 1917, when he was just 16. He served two years overseas during World War I, in England and France, where he worked as an ambulance driver and an escort.
He was later captured as a prisoner of war at the beginning of World War II, when he was working as a civilian for a shipping company in the Philippines. Buckles spent more than three years in Japanese prison camps, and he was rescued on Feb. 23, 1945.
He and his wife, Audrey, bought Gap View Farm near Charles Town in January 1954. His wife passed away in 1999, but his daughter and son-in-law live with him now.
This year he was also honored by Gov. Joe Manchin, who named a portion of W.Va. 9 in Buckles' honor during April.
Recently, Buckles talked about how quickly the numbers of veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam are diminishing, and how he never expected to become the last American survivor of World War I.
11 December 2008
World War I Hero Honored
Martinsburg Journal - Martinsburg, WV, USA
Frank Buckles, 107, is recognized by Calif. state leader
By Beth Henry / Assistant City Editor POSTED: December 11, 2008
CHARLES TOWN - Three veterans from very different eras gathered Wednesday afternoon as the last surviving American World War I veteran was honored with a California Senate resolution at his home in Jefferson County.
Frank Woodruff Buckles, 107, met with retired Master Sgt. Ernest "Ernie" W. Conner, 71, and his 26-year-old great niece, Sgt. Kari Conner, who is an Iraq War veteran serving with the 157th Military Police Co. in Martinsburg. Ernie Conner traveled from Atwater, Calif., to personally present Buckles with the special resolution that recognizes Buckles' military career, awards and many accomplishments on behalf of the Merced Elks Lodge No. 1240 and California Sen. Jeff Denham.
"There's not enough words to express my joy in being able to be here, because you represent a part of all of us combat veterans," Conner, who is originally from the Martinsburg area, said to Buckles. "You represent a significant part of our history."
Buckles entered the Army on Aug. 14, 1917, when he was just 16, and he served two years overseas during World War I, in England and France. He worked as an ambulance driver and an escort, and he was later captured as a prisoner of war at the beginning of World War II, when he was working as a civilian for a shipping company in the Philippines.
He spent more than three years in Japanese prison camps in Santo Tomas and Los Banos, and he was rescued on Feb. 23, 1945.
Buckles talked about the experience on Wednesday afternoon, when Conner asked if he was treated differently because he was a civilian.
"When you're starving to death, the situation is very much the same whether you're military or (civilian)," Buckles said, adding that he had weighed about 140 to 150 pounds before he was captured, but his weight plunged to 100 pounds by the time he was rescued.
Buckles also talked about happier memories, such as when he met and married his wife Audrey in California. They lived in San Francisco for a few years, before they bought Gap View Farm near Charles Town in January 1954 and had their daughter in 1955. Buckles' ancestors had lived in Jefferson County beginning in 1732.
He also talked about how quickly the numbers of veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam are diminishing, and how he never expected to become the last American survivor of World War I.
"After you have a war, there's always survivors. ... When I was a small boy, I met so many veterans of the Civil War, both North and South," he said.
Ernie Conner agreed that "time has a way of catching up with us." He added that he recalls serving in the U.S. Air Force with a number of WWII and Korean War veterans, and he remembers meeting many other WWI veterans.
Conner added that he was delighted that Buckles can continue to share the story of the Great War, and he was also excited to meet Buckles and thank him for his service on Wednesday.
"In my lifetime there's been some exciting and honorable moments, but I consider this at the top of the heap," Conner said about presenting the special resolution. He added that the resolution was the highlight of the annual Merced Elks veterans dinner on Nov. 12, and he shared photos of the dinner and a special toast that was given in honor of Buckles.
"It's going to be one of the the things I'll remember forever," Conner said.
Buckles thanked Ernie Conner and his niece for visiting, and he thanked them for the "very nice" recognition.
He has been recognized many times during his long life. One of his most significant awards came from former French President Jacques Chirac in 1999 at the French Embassy in Washington, when Buckles received the French Legion of Honor pin and spoke to Chirac in French.
Buckles met with President George W. Bush and top Pentagon officials earlier this year, and he received the Distinguished West Virginian Award from Gov. Joe Manchin in August 2007.
"If you're the last one to survive, you get all sorts of honors," he said Wednesday afternoon.
Buckles' daughter, Susannah Flanagan, said her father is always glad to share his story and represent WWI veterans. She added that he is extremely busy, because so many media outlets and various military agencies want to speak with him or present him with awards.
For example, Buckles will become an honorary alumnus of Massanutten Military Academy in Virginia this Friday, and Flanagan joked that she hopes Harvard or Yale will give him honorary degrees too.
- Assistant City Editor Beth Henry can be reached at (304) 263-8931, ext. 129, or
bhenry@journal-news.net
Frank Buckles, 107, is recognized by Calif. state leader
By Beth Henry / Assistant City Editor POSTED: December 11, 2008
CHARLES TOWN - Three veterans from very different eras gathered Wednesday afternoon as the last surviving American World War I veteran was honored with a California Senate resolution at his home in Jefferson County.
Frank Woodruff Buckles, 107, met with retired Master Sgt. Ernest "Ernie" W. Conner, 71, and his 26-year-old great niece, Sgt. Kari Conner, who is an Iraq War veteran serving with the 157th Military Police Co. in Martinsburg. Ernie Conner traveled from Atwater, Calif., to personally present Buckles with the special resolution that recognizes Buckles' military career, awards and many accomplishments on behalf of the Merced Elks Lodge No. 1240 and California Sen. Jeff Denham.
"There's not enough words to express my joy in being able to be here, because you represent a part of all of us combat veterans," Conner, who is originally from the Martinsburg area, said to Buckles. "You represent a significant part of our history."
Buckles entered the Army on Aug. 14, 1917, when he was just 16, and he served two years overseas during World War I, in England and France. He worked as an ambulance driver and an escort, and he was later captured as a prisoner of war at the beginning of World War II, when he was working as a civilian for a shipping company in the Philippines.
He spent more than three years in Japanese prison camps in Santo Tomas and Los Banos, and he was rescued on Feb. 23, 1945.
Buckles talked about the experience on Wednesday afternoon, when Conner asked if he was treated differently because he was a civilian.
"When you're starving to death, the situation is very much the same whether you're military or (civilian)," Buckles said, adding that he had weighed about 140 to 150 pounds before he was captured, but his weight plunged to 100 pounds by the time he was rescued.
Buckles also talked about happier memories, such as when he met and married his wife Audrey in California. They lived in San Francisco for a few years, before they bought Gap View Farm near Charles Town in January 1954 and had their daughter in 1955. Buckles' ancestors had lived in Jefferson County beginning in 1732.
He also talked about how quickly the numbers of veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam are diminishing, and how he never expected to become the last American survivor of World War I.
"After you have a war, there's always survivors. ... When I was a small boy, I met so many veterans of the Civil War, both North and South," he said.
Ernie Conner agreed that "time has a way of catching up with us." He added that he recalls serving in the U.S. Air Force with a number of WWII and Korean War veterans, and he remembers meeting many other WWI veterans.
Conner added that he was delighted that Buckles can continue to share the story of the Great War, and he was also excited to meet Buckles and thank him for his service on Wednesday.
"In my lifetime there's been some exciting and honorable moments, but I consider this at the top of the heap," Conner said about presenting the special resolution. He added that the resolution was the highlight of the annual Merced Elks veterans dinner on Nov. 12, and he shared photos of the dinner and a special toast that was given in honor of Buckles.
"It's going to be one of the the things I'll remember forever," Conner said.
Buckles thanked Ernie Conner and his niece for visiting, and he thanked them for the "very nice" recognition.
He has been recognized many times during his long life. One of his most significant awards came from former French President Jacques Chirac in 1999 at the French Embassy in Washington, when Buckles received the French Legion of Honor pin and spoke to Chirac in French.
Buckles met with President George W. Bush and top Pentagon officials earlier this year, and he received the Distinguished West Virginian Award from Gov. Joe Manchin in August 2007.
"If you're the last one to survive, you get all sorts of honors," he said Wednesday afternoon.
Buckles' daughter, Susannah Flanagan, said her father is always glad to share his story and represent WWI veterans. She added that he is extremely busy, because so many media outlets and various military agencies want to speak with him or present him with awards.
For example, Buckles will become an honorary alumnus of Massanutten Military Academy in Virginia this Friday, and Flanagan joked that she hopes Harvard or Yale will give him honorary degrees too.
- Assistant City Editor Beth Henry can be reached at (304) 263-8931, ext. 129, or
bhenry@journal-news.net
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