WW II airman finally laid to rest, 66 years later

[sabra]

Source: AP

David Champion knew he couldn't miss Mike Elliott's funeral.

Like Elliott, Champion also flew in a B-25 bomber more than 60 years ago during World War II. Champion returned home to Coles County after the war with plenty of memories from the wild blue yonder, but it took 66 years for Elliott's bittersweet return from Europe this week.

At age 24, Elliott died with four others when a B-25 crashed on a mountain on Corsica during a noncombat mission. He and others killed in the May 10, 1944, crash have been identified through DNA testing through the efforts of the Missing In Action Accounting Command, which conducts retrieval of military remains across the globe each year.
"As soon as I heard about them bringing back his remains I knew I was going to be here," said Champion as he greeted people at the door of Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home prior to Elliott's funeral.

...

Selena Griffith and Jewel Gilbert, both of Mattoon, are Mike Elliott's nieces. They agreed to DNA-related blood draws to confirm some of the remains recovered from the mountaintop in Corsica were those of Elliott. For Griffith there was irony to the return of the
remains to a military personnel identification center in Hawaii five years ago.


...

Off in the distance past the bugler, the soldiers firing the honor volley and the American flags fluttering in the wind, Ray Hoffman of Mattoon, a Vietnam veteran, stood erect as a sentry throughout the ceremony.

"I think all veterans deserve some respect, especially those from the World War II. They did so much. It's still good we recognize them," he said as he tried to control his voice after
the ceremony.


Read more: http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/05/ww-ii-bomber-pilot-finally-laid-to-rest-66-years-later.html

[Lasher]

1. The pilot, 2nd Lt. Jack S. M. Arnett was from Charleston, WV.

Flags at all WV government facilities will fly at half staff all day tomorrow.

[cliffordu]

2. Good. Good on WV.

[Old Troop]

3. RIP SGT Elliot - you're home

[newscott]

4. I believe a vet from Carver MA was on that plane

That's one town over from me.

They just buried him too.

[catnhatnh]

5. With no disrespect...

This seems out of "Catch 22". By 1944 the war was winding down for B-25 crews in the Med...It was a tactical bomber and not badly needed on the combat front. That slot was filled by the more strategic B-17 and B-24 raids. I fear Mike Elliott was one more of the "collateral damage" numbers of our troops not needed on a direct combat front....See M&M enterprises and Kid Sampson...