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Remains of Missing California WWII Airman Identified 82 Years Later
New York Post ^ | Sep. 5, 2026 | Marina Peña

Posted on 09/05/2026 1:32:07 PM PDT by nickcarraway

The remains of a California airman killed during World War II have been identified more than eight decades after his B-24 bomber was shot down over Italy. Army Air Force Sgt. Adolph P. Aguirre was just 21 years old when his plane went down on Aug. 16, 1943, while returning from a mission, according to his obituary.

Now, 82 years later, his family finally has answers and is preparing to lay him to rest later this month in Exeter, in Tulare County. Aguirre will be buried next to his parents at Exeter District Cemetery.

Born in Visalia on Oct. 29, 1921, to Mari Pimentel and Margarito Aguirre, Aguirre graduated from Exeter Union High School in 1941 and enlisted in the military the following year, according to his obituary.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Local News; Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: aguirre; armyairforce; mia; visalia; worldwarii

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1 posted on 09/05/2026 1:32:07 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Our dad flew in the same area during WWII. While he was also shot down, he survived.

Welcome home Sgt. Aguirre.

Our dad also fought/flew in Korea and Vietnam. He was shot down in Vietnam, and survived. He had a drawer full of medals. Like most warriors, he did not talk a lot about it. He did state that all of those medals just meant he was lucky. He used to say “the real heroes didn’t get to come home.”


2 posted on 09/05/2026 1:46:56 PM PDT by Ronaldus Magnus III (Do, or do not, there is no try. )
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To: Ronaldus Magnus III

Honors to your dad. A damn good man. Godspeed to him and his fellow soldiers. May they all RIP


3 posted on 09/05/2026 2:55:13 PM PDT by Equine1952 (MM1SS SASOBe)
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To: nickcarraway

Welcome home Sergeant. RIP.


4 posted on 09/05/2026 3:18:51 PM PDT by ConservaTexan (February 6, 1911/June 14, 1944)
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To: Ronaldus Magnus III

I worked in the Coumadin clinic at the VA in Temple. One of my patients was a Bataan Death March survivor. He was a tall and quiet man but very friendly. I asked him if I could ask some questions about Bataan. He said okay. I mentioned that many died on the March due to injury and summary executions by the Japanese. Also, many died in the camp. I asked what the difference between those that lived and those that died? He said, “When you gave up you died.” I asked him what kept him going? He said, “The only way to defy the Japanese was to live one more day at a time.

I had to change his warfarin dosing. That would entail about an hour of waiting for this old soldier. I told him to just wait in my office while I went to the pharmacy and filled it myself. That man should wait for nothing ever.

His strength of character humbled me. I would be proud to be 1/2 the man he was.


5 posted on 09/05/2026 3:22:46 PM PDT by cpdiii (cane cutter, deckhand, oilfield roughneck, drilling fluid tech, geologist, pilot, pharmacist, MAGA)
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To: nickcarraway

A true American hero. May he RIP.


6 posted on 09/05/2026 3:37:13 PM PDT by spetznaz (Nuclear-tipped Ballistic Missiles: The Ultimate Phallic Symbol)
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To: Ronaldus Magnus III

Respect


7 posted on 09/05/2026 3:59:44 PM PDT by combat_boots
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To: cpdiii

I remember cashiering at my folks’ store when a tall, slim gray-haired man came through and handed me some money for his purchase. I saw the arm tattoo and looked up in shock. There he was, his bright, grey eyes shining. He smiled.

I was verklempt.


8 posted on 09/05/2026 4:04:56 PM PDT by combat_boots
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To: nickcarraway

I wonder what he would think of California now.


9 posted on 09/05/2026 5:07:04 PM PDT by alternatives?
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To: nickcarraway

Everybody comes home.

Some just take longer to get there.


10 posted on 09/05/2026 6:48:28 PM PDT by Paal Gulli
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