Remains of WWII airman killed in South Pacific in 1944 arrive at his NY hometown, saluted

AP via Washington Post ^ | 8/3/13

[Kartographer]

Many saluted, some cried and a few held signs.

But for 70 miles, hundreds of people paid their respects to a World War II airman who died in combat in the South Pacific almost 70 years ago and was finally returned to his upstate home on Friday.

[Kartographer]

Stand at ease Sgt. Licari. Thank you for your service and welcome home.

[Kartographer]

FILE - This undated handout file photo provided by the family, shows World War II airman Sgt. Dominick Licari, whose remains were identified nearly 70 years after his plane and two others slammed into a remote, jungle-covered mountainside in the South Pacific. Relatives say they were notified by military officials in July 2013 that bone fragments found at the crash site on the island of Papua-New Guinea were that of the 31-year-old from Frankfort, N.Y. Veterans' groups, businesses and residents along a stretch of New York's Mohawk Valley have paid tribute to a World War II airman whose remains have been returned home Friday Aug. 2, 2013. Photo: Family Photo

[Kartographer]

The remains of Sgt. Dominick J. Licari, 31 of Frankfort N.Y., arrives at Albany International Airport Friday afternoon, Aug. 2, 2013, in Colonie, N.Y. Sgt. Licari was a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II who vanished on March 13, 1944. He will be buried Tuesday in Frankfort, N.Y. TROY, SCHENECTADY; SARATOGA SPRINGS; ALBANY OUT Photo: The Albany Times Union, Michael P. Farrell

[beaversmom]

Thank you for posting.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[naturalman1975]

Quite a lot of people do not realise it but from 1906 until 1975, Papua New Guinea was an Australian territory - that is, it was part of Australia. This man therefore died on Australian soil helping to recover Australian territory that had fallen to the Japanese.

As an Australian, I thank him for his sacrifice - him and many others.

[packrat35]

Thank you for your kind words from someone in US. Australia has always been a good ally.

[Vaquero]

he served bravely...something socialist Cuomo, who ordered the flags to be at half staff knows nothing of. To him it is nothing more than placating potential voters

[angcat]

Wow I’m tearing up :(

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Ave atque vale.

[paddles]

There’s a great book about flying the A-20 in the South Pacific, “Wreaking Havoc” by Joseph Rutter. Rutter’s year in combat was about the same time as Sgt Licari. Worth the read!

[GreyFriar]

A-20 crewman remains identified and being buried at hometown.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Thank you, Kartographer!
A PING to The Canteen!

[jmaroneps37]

Great story; it shows we can still get some important things right. May God forever hold you in his arms Sgt. Licari.

[luvie]

Thanks for the ping to some good news for a change. God rest
the soul of this hero who was lost and now is found....

[Jet Jaguar]

Welcome home.

[zot]

Thanks for the ping. May he rest in peace.

[EDINVA]

This is sad to see, thinking how his [almost assuredly] now-deceased parents never knew what happened, when, nor had the opportunity to bury their son. Yet, even 60+ years later, the US still works to ID and honor those who sacrificed all.