Remains Of Missing WWII Pilot To Be Returned Home

May 5, 2019

The recently identified remains of Army pilot killed in World War II will be returned home his week for 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 will be flown into the Pensacola 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.

Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war. Currently there are 72,731 service members (approximately 26,000 are assessed as possibly-recoverable) still unaccounted for from World War II. Stone’s name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the Ardennes American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Neupré, Belgium, along with the others missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Comments

15 Responses to “Remains Of Missing WWII Pilot To Be Returned Home”

  1. Richard on June 6th, 2019 4:52 pm

    I was on the first team that couldn’t d his dog tags and so did his remains. I was honored and will never forget that experience. I would like to visit his final resting place and pay honor to him and his service.

  2. Joe Bell on May 10th, 2019 4:03 pm

    Stuff like this really makes me feel good! My grandfather was M.I.A. for a week and fortunately, he lived. I heard stories about what my grandmother felt not knowing about him and his other family, how thankful and lucky they were to have him back safe. When I read stories like this pilot, how his family now has closure. How great is it that America never stops looking?! He died so we can be free. When duty called, he answered. This is so great that he is finally home!

  3. William L Kuhn on May 6th, 2019 12:09 pm

    Peace for the family. Too bad they could not recover his body decades ago to give his family peace when they needed it the most.

  4. Gman on May 6th, 2019 4:53 am

    American Hero

  5. Lane Burgess on May 5th, 2019 4:24 pm

    God bless the locals and the groups for continuing to recover our lost men and women still missing in combat.

  6. Stone family on May 5th, 2019 1:37 pm

    Yes ma’am
    He will arrive in Pensacola on Thurs May 9 th at 4:35 pm.
    The escort will exit the airport and turn right on 12 Ave to Langley turn right again pass by the north side of the airfield to Scienic Hwy and then turn left to the interstate and then head east to the Holt exit and then onto Andalusia.
    Thanks to all for honoring comments

  7. Mary on May 5th, 2019 11:11 am

    Welcome HOME SIR in my life time I have always prayed our men and women would come home very happy for the family

  8. Matchbox on May 5th, 2019 10:46 am

    Welcome home soldier….May you now rest easy and thank you for making our freedom possible and fighting the devil for those across the pond…

  9. David Johnson on May 5th, 2019 9:42 am

    Welcome Home 2nd Lt. Stone. Thank you to you and your family for your service and sacrifice for us and our Country.

  10. Karen on May 5th, 2019 7:23 am

    Is there a time and route of when his escort will take place so we may show our respect as he passes by?

  11. Bob C. on May 5th, 2019 7:20 am

    Thankful the family and world will now have closure.
    We owe a heartfelt debt of gratitude to these young men and women who left the peace of the USA and put themselves willingly into harm’s way in an effort to defeat an impossibly evil force in Europe and the Pacific.

    All give some, some gave All. Thank you for your honorable sacrifice for Freedom.

  12. TJ on May 5th, 2019 6:44 am

    Welcome Home Brother! Slow hand salute! Rest in Peace.

  13. Scott on May 5th, 2019 6:40 am

    Glad these efforts are made for the veteran and their families.
    Sorry it took so long but kudos for all that made this happen.

    Welcome home Sir.

  14. Fred Sartwell on May 5th, 2019 6:38 am

    Welcome home 2nd Lt. Stone. You can rest easy now. Thank you

  15. mick on May 5th, 2019 1:22 am

    Bless his soul Father, rest in peace Army Aviator, your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Bless all the family members, take comfort, he is with our Lord. Bless all that made the efforts to bring him home…

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News