SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – This is the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. And a special military unit just completed a multi-year project to identify the remains of hundreds of people who died in the attack on the USS Oklahoma.

Paul Adler of KY3 recently visited the lab near Omaha, Nebraska, where the scientists conducted this work. And, he found out that the Oklahoma project was over. They never give up to find and identify others who have died in the service of our country.

In the town of Monett, Missouri, the name of Tom Wolfe is everywhere. It’s on a road sign. It’s on a building. And, his name is on a plaque in a cemetery. Tom Wolfe is the pilot shot down in Cambodia in 1966. He is definitely not forgotten.

“It was the All-American kid who became a pilot,” recalls Monett VFW’s Jason George. “It hit the Monett community hard.”

If and when Tom is found, people like Dr Sarah Kindschuh will identify him. Sarah is a forensic anthropologist. His current work involves a stranger from WWII. His bomber sank in Germany. “It would just be a basic cleaning,” Kindschuh explains. “So the material here on the table (see video) is what we would consider physical evidence, meaning it was something a member of the service would have worn, or had in their pockets would have had.” on his person when they are dead.

Evidence on the table includes a knife, belt buckle, part of his flight suit, and even a burnt Bible all around. “I see these items on these tables and I know they are going to return to a family and it will mean a lot to them. And so for us, this is very important, ”Kindschuh explains.

The lab is located inside Offutt Air Base, near Omaha, in Neb. Scientists have just completed work on a project to identify 343 servicemen from the sinking of the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor. The project involved 13,000 bones. It took six years.

“Our agency’s motto keeps the nation’s promise. And that’s a promise made to the service member and maybe even 80 years ago in the case of the sailors and marines of the USS Oklahoma, ”said Nebraska lab director Franklin Damann.

Military scientists from a partner lab recently identified the remains of the Army Sgt. John Phillips. The Cassville, Mo. native of World War II was just buried in Arlington in September.

“September 17th is National Prisoner of War / MIA Appreciation Day, for us every day is recognition. And there isn’t a day without our scientists in the lab working on cases. “

For Sarah Kindschuh, the seam on the boot is a clue. The coils of the heated flight jacket are a clue. And, in this case, shiny metal on a shirt. “So his navigator wings are still attached to his service shirt, so I have part of the shirt up there. But the rest is laid out on that table over there. more important here because it specifically identifies that the shirt fits a person, ”Kindschuh explained.

She’s been working on this case since July.

“That says the US military. But, it’s so worn out here it’s barely written there, ”Kindschuh says, examining a piece of boot. She will soon start writing reports. A family could be notified of their identification in a few months.

A few hours from Sarah’s lab, Jason George of Monett VFW regrets one thing. This time is not endless for those who are waiting for answers. “This is most important for the families who have known Tom’s mother. She wanted so badly Tom’s body to be identified and brought home before he passed away. And it’s a shame that didn’t happen, ”said George.

Until he is found, Jason and others honor Tom Wolfe. Keep your name in the foreground. Certainly not forgotten.

“I hope one day he can be buried here,” said George.

We keep in touch with the lab. And, when they identify the remains and inform the family of the identity of this WWII navigator. We will also let you know his identity.

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