Posted on 12/01/2008 11:49:49 AM PST by Stonewall Jackson
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing from World War II, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
He is Ensign Robert G. Tills, U.S. Navy, of Manitowoc, Wis. He will be buried on March 23, 2009 in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.
Representatives from the Navy’s Mortuary Office met with Tills’ next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy.
On Dec. 8, 1941, two PBY-4 Catalina Flying Boats moored in Malalag Bay, in eastern Mindanao, Philippine Commonwealth, were strafed and sunk by Japanese aircraft. All of the crew on board the PBYs escaped the aircraft with the exception of Tills, who was seen by another crewman to have been hit and killed by machine gun bullets. Tills was the first Navy officer to be lost in defense of the Philippine Islands. His body was not recovered.
In October 2007, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) was notified by U.S. authorities in the Philippines that aircraft wreckage had been discovered in Malalag Bay. A fragment of the wreckage bore the markings “PBY-4.”
In November 2007, a JPAC team, along with the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group-Philippines and the Philippines Coast Guard (PCG), surveyed the site and recovered human remains and non-biological evidence. Later that month, the PCG recovered additional remains from the site.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC also used dental comparisons in the identification of Tills’ remains.
Not Forgotten. Welcome home Ensign Robert G. Tills.
Well stated, SJ.
That was true later, but originally they were scouts. If you've seen the movie "Midway" you'll recall the "Strawberry" flights. Those were PBYs, out searching for the Japanese fleet.
Found it they did. Sunk it our Navy did.
Attention to port.
Hand salute.
Welcome home, Mr Tills.
Two.
Carry on.
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The airplane that found the BISMARCK was a British PBY. Co-piloted by an American.
If you don't know where they are, you can't do anything about them offensive or defensive. These guys risked not just enemy action but the vagaries of weather, mechanical breakdowns and navigational errors, not to mention the risks inherent in getting a flying boat in the air and back again, to get that vital information.
Welcome home and now rest in peace.
“Taps”
Composed By Major General Daniel Butterfield
Army of the Potomac, Civil War
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/taps.htm
“Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh — Falls the night.
“Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky.
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
“Then good night, peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear — Friend, good night.”
Welcome home faithful servant.
A proud nation welcomes home a hero and a great American.
Thank you, Ensign Tillis.
“Until the day the sea gives up its dead”
Welcome home.
Welcome home, brother! :)
God bless you, young sailor, home at last. You were not forgotten.
Rest In Peace. Welcome home.
May God Bless America.
Can you add me to your POW/MIA list? thanks
"Lest I maintain my complacent ways,
I must remember someone died for me today.
As long as there is war..
I will ask, and I must answer..
Was I worth dying for?"
(From a midwestern war memorial)
Rest in peace Ensign Tills
Welcome home.
RIP Ensign Robert G. Tills
Ensign Robert G. Tills, welcome home and thank you for your ultimate sacrifice.
Prayers for your family Ensign.
mrs and The Chief
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