On August 12, 2016, U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey
Pyatt spoke at a ceremony at the National Military History Museum in Kyiv
commemorating the repatriation of remains from Ukraine to United States
custody. The U.S. Army Second Lieutenant was shot down near Novi Troyany, Odesa
Oblast in June, 1944 during Operation Frantic - series of shuttle bombing
operations against Germany during World War II conducted by American aircraft
based in Britain and southern Italy which then landed at three airfields in
Ukraine (Poltava, Myrgorod, and Pyryatyn). The identity of the Second
Lieutenant is being withheld until positive identification is confirmed.
American pilots, gunners and navigators in
Poltava, 1944 www.nationalmuseum.af.mil
“I would like to thank the Ministry of Defense
and General Staff and everyone in the Government of Ukraine who has made
today’s repatriation possible...Over 70 years ago, this young American pilot
was killed while fighting a war on Ukrainian soil that was marked by brutal
conflict with an aggressive foe challenging our most fundamental values. Based
in Poltava, these American pilots represented what we call our greatest
generation. We have never forgotten these heroes and their sacrifice for the
United States and for the values we jointly espouse. I know Ukrainians share
the same feelings towards your soldiers defending Ukraine’s future today in the
ATO,” said Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt, after the U.S. and Ukrainian national
anthems were played and Ukrainian Deputy Chief of General Staff Sirotenko
delivered remarks.
The United States Defense POW/MIA Accounting
Agency’s (DPAA) mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for
missing personnel to their families and the nation. Through DPAA, the United
States strives to give POW/MIA families what solace and answers can be provided
by information about their loved ones’ service and ultimately their sacrifice. We
continue to do whatever possible to bring these unaccounted-for Americans home.
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