Remains of World War II airman from Tennessee identified 80 years after plane was downed

The remains of a World War II airman have been identified 80 years after his plane was shot down during a bombing mission over Germany, military officials said this week.

In the spring of 1944, U.S. Army Air Forces Tech. Sergeant Sanford G. of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Roy was assigned to the 732nd Bombardment Squadron in the European theatre. News Release from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting AgencyRoy and several other airmen were aboard the B-24H Liberator “Little Joe” on a bombing mission over Brunswick, Germany, on April 8. The aircraft was shot down by German forces and other airmen flying near the aircraft did not report seeing any crew members. Getting out of “Little Joe” before it crashes. His name was carved on the Walls of the Missing in the Nederland American Cemetery.

Although military members witnessed the incident, the crash site could not be located during the war. The remains of Roy and eight other crew members were listed as unaccounted for after the war. In 1946, the American Graves Registration Command began investigating damage caused by bombers, such as the one in the area where Roy died. Those efforts still failed to find any accidents or burial sites involving the crew of Little Joe.

An independent research group finally reported new information about the accident in 2015. The Missing Allied Air Crew Research Team contacted DPAA historians and provided them with information about a possible crash site near Wiestedt, Germany. DPAA conducted interviews with local residents, leading to the realization that there were two crash sites, but only one had been investigated and its remains recovered during the war.

DPAA investigators explored the second crash site and recovered various pieces of debris and possible human remains. those remains were transferred DPAA LaboratoryBut no identification could be made. Between 2021 and 2023, the agency conducted more research at the crash site, including excavations and the recovery of more remains. By the end of November 2023, all evidence from the crash site was transferred to the DPAA laboratory.

Scientists used anthropological and dental analysis as well as DNA analysis to identify the remains. A set of remains from the crash site were identified as the remains of Staff Sergeant Ralph L. MaurerAnother set of remains were identified as those of Roy.

Roy's surviving family has been informed about his identity. He will be buried in his hometown on April 8, 2025, the 81st anniversary of his death. To indicate that he has been identified, a rosette is carved next to his name on the walls of the Missing.