PORTLAND, Oregon — A World War II service member killed in action in 1943 and has finally made it home to his final resting place in Portland. His remains were identified and returned from a cemetery in Europe.
Family members said they're thankful that the defense department agency that works to solve the mystery of unaccounted for service members was able to do so for their loved one, George Edward Davies.
On a sun-filled Monday afternoon at Willamette National Cemetery, an Oregon hero of World War II, now identified, was finally laid to rest. Staff Sergeant George Davies returned to his hometown of Portland after being missing in action for 81 years.
This is what family had been waiting for and wondering if it would ever happen.
"It just kind of feels like he's come back home — been given the respect that he deserved, that we were finally able to give him,” said Kathy Leonard, Davies’ niece. "And to let people know about it, so they can find their loved ones.”
During the memorial service, the chaplain spoke about the fallen veteran.
"George Edward Davies was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He flew 27 missions as an assistant engineer and gunner. His final mission was in a B-24 liberator bomber nicknamed 'Air Lobo.' George was 27 years old,” said LTC Jacob Scott, Oregon National Guard Chaplain.
Davies’ final mission was a massive high risk bombing attack on a Nazi-controlled oil refinery complex in Romania. 177 planes flew it; half didn't make it back.
Davies was one of scores of U.S. Army airmen who died on August 1, 1943 — like many others, he was unaccounted for. His remains buried as an unknown service member and his name on the list of unaccounted for.
In September of 2022, the decades-long process of trying to identify remains, that included DNA testing, paid off.
Earlier this month, Staff Sergeant Davies returned to Portland in a flag-draped coffin, all these years later.
“It's a feeling of closure. It's wonderful for our family to realize that they did find him and that he's resting in the same cemetery with my father — and that he's back home,” said Francee Hilyer, Davies' niece.
Sisters Hilyer and Leonard are two of Davies' nieces. Their father, Alan was George’s brother — Alan lost his leg in the war but survived, their mother served, as well.
Th ceremony for Davies, with full military honors and posthumously awarded medals, including the Purple Heart — recognition of the full sacrifice.
It meant a lot to family, who could bury their loved one, knowing he's finally home to rest in peace.
Family members wanted to emphasize that others with unaccounted for service members may be able to get closure, too. Technology has advanced, and providing a DNA sample could provide the missing piece to the puzzle in some cases. For more information, contact the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.