Soldiers remains returned

National

THE remains of American soldiers killed during World War II in Papua New Guinea have been returned home.
The United States (US) Defence Department Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Accounting Agency (DPAA) held a repatriation ceremony on Monday to honour the American heroes.
The remains of the soldiers were found during a mission by the DPAA in seven provinces around the country in the past two months.
The provinces are Central, Enga, East Sepik, Morobe, Western Highlands and Northern.
Mission commander Captain Justin Harty said the DPAA provided the fullest accounting of missing soldiers to their families and the nation.
“Today we celebrate and honour the American heroes that sacrificed their lives for something greater than themselves and the trustworthy citizens of PNG that have safeguarded their integrity for 75 years,” he said. The remains have been taken to a laboratory in Hawaii for identification before they are handed over to their families.
There are still 2,500 American soldiers to be accounted for.
“We can promise that we will continue to give our best to search for (them).”
US Ambassador Catherine Ebert-Gray thanked Papua New Guineans for watching over their fallen brothers and to respectfully repatriate the remains of American servicemen.
She said the ceremony represented the teamwork between PNG and the US, and a continuation of the long history of cooperation and support between the two governments.
She thanked the PNG National Museum and the University of PNG, government agencies, security forces, contractors and communities who assisted in the sacred mission.