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Remains Of Missing WWII Pilot Returned Home (With Photo Gallery)

The recently identified remains of Army pilot killed in World War II were returned to Pensacola Thursday afternoon on their way to a proper burial.

Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Walter B. Stone of Andalusia, AL, was killed in 1943. Several of his relatives reside in North Escambia.

His remains were flown into the Pensacola International Airport on Thursday and escorted to his hometown for a funeral service on Saturday.

In October 1943, Stone served as a pilot in the 350th Fighter Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group, VIII U.S. Fighter Command. On Oct. 22, 1943, Stone was killed when his P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft crashed in northern France during a bomber escort mission. Because France was enemy-occupied territory at the time of the crash, search and recovery operations were not possible.

In 1990, a French excavation group, called Association Maurice Choron (AMC,) carried out a limited excavation of the site in the forest near La Wattine, France, where Stone was believed to have crashed. Aircraft wreckage that matched Stone’s aircraft was located and a field investigation was recommended.

In April and May 2017, a DPAA Recovery Team excavated a site based on information from a local resident. During the excavation, an identification tag for Stone was located, as well as remains. The remains were sent to the laboratory for identification.

In 2018, in a contract with the University of Wisconsin, the site excavation was completed, with additional remains consolidated with the previously located remains.  He was officially accounted for on February 20, 2019.

Funeral services for the veteran will take place Saturday at Pleasant Home Baptist Church in Andalusia, Alabama.

For more photos, click here.

Pictured: The remains of WWII Army pilot Lt. Walter B. Stone arrived at the Pensacola International Airport Thursday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.