Missing Sailore recovered 60 years later

[Boats]

Remains of sailor lost in 1943 returning

The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Jan 7, 2008 5:37:33 EST

SNEEDVILLE, Tenn. — The remains of a World War II sailor are being returned to Tennessee for burial more than 60 years after he went missing in action in the Pacific.

Seaman 1st Class General P. Douglas of Newcomb was serving on the light cruiser Helena when it was struck by Japanese torpedoes July 6, 1943, during the Battle of Kula Gulf.

According to the Defense Department, his remains were found in June 2006 by a resident of Ranongga Island in the Solomon Islands. The body was discovered because the sailor’s dog tag was eroding out of the ground near a village trail.

U.S. officials used DNA, dental records and other forensic identification to confirm the remains were Newcomb’s.

He is to be buried Jan. 26 in Sneedville, about 50 miles west of Kingsport near the Kentucky border.


All I can say is "welcome home" we've missed you and now you can rest on familiar soil.

[locksly]

Originally Posted by tndoe

awesome.
but it makes me wonder how long he survived after the ship sank, or if he did survive.
wonder if his body just washed ashore and someone buried it, or is this on an isle with no people.

makes you wonder if he made it alive and lived there for some time. No one will ever know I suppose.
But it is wonderful for his family to finally have some closure.
God Bless all our service folks, past and present.

Originally Posted by TN RDG RNR

Great Story. Welcome Home sailor, job well done.

My Grandfather was KIA, WWII and burried somewhere in Europe. Ive tried to find his final resting place twice but have not been successful.
It bothers me deeply no one has visited his grave.

Originally Posted by DeerOps

Semper Fi!

Originally Posted by knight88

Welcome home, rest in peace...

Originally Posted by MUP

Welcome home Sailor/Hero!

Originally Posted by renegade50

good to hear he is buried properly and received the honors due him !!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Spike

Good post. Welcome home HERO!

Originally Posted by Blue5

good news!

Originally Posted by buckhorn40

Great Post!!! Welcome Home

Originally Posted by k810329

welcome home

Originally Posted by ferg

Semper Paratus !!!!

God speed -

ferg....

Originally Posted by Been Huntin

crazy what we can do know with forensics

Originally Posted by War Eagle

My dad was in this same battle group aboard the USS Washington BB-56. They were all over the south pacific theater.

R.I.P. From his fellow Tenneseans
Check out the ship here with the missing bow that is what a torpedo will do to a big ship. This is a sister ship from one the battles tthat destroyed the sailors ship.

[media]http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/g210000/g211215.jpg[/media]
and here
[media]http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/g40000/g44544.jpg[/media]


[media]http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-m/ca36.htm[/media]

Edited by Locksley (Today at 09:15 AM)


http://www.tndeer.com/tndeertalk/ubb...at&fpart=1&q=1