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Boston Globe
3 days ago
- General
- Boston Globe
Remains of Somerville airman killed during WWII returned to Massachusetts 80 years later
Lord and members of his crew were reported missing in action. In 2018, investigators combing through a suspected crash site recovered ossified remains that were later confirmed to be Lord's, according to the Defense Department's POW/MIA Accounting Agency. A Southwest flight carrying Lord's remains and captained by his great-nephew, Charles Axtell landed at Logan Airport in Boston on Thursday afternoon. Advertisement 'I'm not sure if I can put it into words what it means to be flying him home,' his great nephew, Charles Axtell, said by email before the flight. 'It has been a special journey the whole way.' Lord's remains were also escorted by his great-great niece, Space Force 2nd Lieutenant Katherine Hendl. Lord's remains were taken to Bedford Funeral Home and will be interred at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett on June 7, alongside Lord's parents and his sister Ruth, his family said in an Axtell, who worked on the excavation that recovered Lord's remains, said that returning his great-uncle's remains to his home state represents 'the end of 80 years of torment.' Advertisement 'Now we know and we have the ability to give hope to the other 80,000+ MIA's since WW2,' said Axtell, who lives in New Hampshire. " . 'We also are reminding our present day armed forces that we do not quit looking for them! This is closure for our family but I think every veteran and military family member knows in their hearts what it means.' Lord's family still has letters he wrote while overseas. Axtell said Lord would end his letters writing, 'Remember me to all' and 'Loads of Love.' 'In today's world that makes me smile, knowing that all anyone wants is to be remembered,' Axtell said. Charles Axtell said his great-uncle, Army Air Forces Staff Sergeant Loring E. Lord, signed his letters home with "remember me to all" and "loads of love." Charles Axtell Axtell retired from the Air Force in 2015 and later joined Southwest Airlines. 'We are honored to support Captain Axtell as he transports his great uncle to his final resting place,' Chris Perry, a spokesperson for Southwest, said by email. Lord was officially accounted for on Sept. 18, 2024, according to There was no indication that anyone escaped the plane crash, which happened less than two months before victory was declared in Europe on May 8, 1945, the agency said. An article in the Boston Traveler on Feb. 23, 1946, reported that Lord, a graduate of Somerville High School who worked at Pratt & Whitney, had been listed as missing in action since March 21, 1945, while on his 31st mission. He entered the Army on Oct. 10, 1941, and received the Air Medal, Silver Star, and Purple Heart, the newspaper reported. Lord's family said he was engaged to be married at the time of his death. Advertisement U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Loring E. Lord of Somerville was killed when his plane was shot down in Germany in March 1945. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency After the war ended, the American Graves Registration Command began investigating and recovering the remains of missing US service members in the European Theater. In 1949, investigators visited villages between Velen and Dülmen, including Reken, where they met a former police chief who recalled seeing an American plane crash after one of its wings was shot off, according to the accounting agency. Heinrich Mels reported that the German military secured the crash site and buried several airmen at a local cemetery, the agency said. The remains were exhumed in April 1945 when US forces occupied the town and were identified as crew members from Lord's aircraft, the agency said. Investigators later located several aircraft parts at the crash scene, but no other remains were located. Decades later, in 2014, Adolf Hagedorn, a German researcher, reported another possible crash site to the accounting agency. In 2018, after several recovery missions, investigators with the agency located 'identification media' for one of Lord's crew members, as well as ossified remains, during an excavation of the site. The remains were sent to the agency's laboratory, where scientists were able to identify them as Lord's based on anthropological analysis and circumstantial evidence, as well as mitochondrial DNA and mitochondrial genome sequence analysis, according to the agency. Nick Stoico can be reached at
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Legendary Recon Marine could finally get the Medal of Honor
In April 1967, Marine 2nd Lt. James Capers Jr. ignored his numerous bullet and shrapnel wounds to lead his nine-man team from 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company against an enemy ambush in South Vietnam. The ambush had erupted with hidden explosives that threw Capers against a tree. Shrapnel from the blast punctured his body in more than a dozen places, including wounds to his abdomen and a broken leg, Capers told Coffee or Die Magazine in 2021. Still, Capers ordered a mortar strike on the team's position to keep the enemy at bay. Despite losing a significant amount of blood and being administered morphine, he led his team to a helicopter landing zone. When a helicopter landed, Capers refused to get on board unless the crew took the body of the team's military working dog. After the helicopter was initially unable to take off, Capers twice tried to get out of the aircraft to lighten the load. Both times, a crew chief had to pull him back inside. The helicopter eventually lifted off and ferried Capers and his team to a hospital. Capers later retired from the Marine Corps as a major, and in 2010, he was awarded the Silver Star for his 'bold leadership, undaunted courage, and complete dedication to duty,' his award citation reads. Now, a lawmaker is trying for a third time to pass legislation that would authorize the president to award Capers the Medal of Honor. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) introduced a bill on May 13 that would waive a requirement that service members receive the Medal of Honor within five years of their actions that merit the award. In 2020, President Donald Trump signed a similar bill that allowed Army Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe to receive the Medal of Honor for his bravery 15 years earlier in Iraq. 'Mr. James Capers Jr. isn't just a hero, he's a living legend in every sense of the word,' Norman said in a statement earlier this month. 'His courage in Vietnam, his humility throughout life, and his unwavering devotion to this country are second to none. It's an honor to reintroduce this bill, because a man like Maj. Capers deserves nothing less than the Medal of Honor.' Although Capers had been previously nominated for the nation's highest military award for valor, 'administrative shortcomings and delays' ultimately prevented him from receiving it, a May 14 news release from Norman's office says. During a March interview with Fox News, Capers was asked why he had not already been awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism. 'That was 1967, and the world was a lot different in those days,' Capers replied. 'The Marine Corps had been integrated in 1948, as a matter of fact, so we still had officers who commanded us that didn't quite understand all the things that we needed as African Americans. We could fight. We could lead. We could get it all done. But the leaders didn't see us as equals.' Over the past four years, Norman has twice introduced legislation that would have authorized the president to award Capers the Medal of Honor, but Congress did not pass the bills. Capers repeatedly demonstrated his bravery and his commitment to the Marines who served under him. He always insisted on being the last person to board helicopters when it was time to leave the battlefield. In a different mission in January 1967, Capers ran from tree to tree to fire at the enemy, creating the impression that there were more troops on the ground, as the rest of his team was hoisted into a CH-46 helicopter. On another patrol, Capers killed three North Vietnamese soldiers when his M16 rifle jammed. When another two enemy soldiers launched a counterattack, he killed them both with his pistol. In February, a group of 47 lawmakers sent a letter to Trump requesting that he consider taking action needed for Capers to receive the Medal of Honor, describing Capers as 'one of America's greatest patriots.' They noted that Capers was the first Black Marine to lead a reconnaissance company and to receive a battlefield commission. 'We firmly believe that Maj. James Capers Jr., has met the stringent criteria for the Medal of Honor,' the letter says. 'His selfless actions, leadership, courage, and initiative uphold the highest traditions of the United States Armed Forces. The exceptional valor displayed by Maj. Capers during his missions in the Republic of Vietnam from March 31 to April 3, 1967, serves as a shining example for all servicemen and women, and it is deserving of the highest recognition.' Now 87 years old, Capers lives alone. His son, Gary, who was born blind, died in 2003, and his wife Dottie died six years later. Capers told Task & Purpose that he originally served as a staff sergeant, but all the officers in his unit were killed, so he was commissioned to second lieutenant. After he was wounded, he spent a year recuperating at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland learning how to walk again. He said that he owes his survival to his family and all the men and women who served with him in war — and he is adamant that he does not consider himself to be a hero. 'I was just a Marine,' Capers said. 'I had a job to do and I did it as best I could. Obviously, we'd all like to be heroes, but those men in my unit, they were heroes. There's only two of us left alive today.' 18 Army Rangers suspended for allegedly firing blanks at Florida beach Hegseth announces accountability review of Afghanistan withdrawal Coast Guard rescue swimmers saved a worker stuck in hardening concrete after roof collapse This National Guard unit went completely analog to simulate a cyber attack Fewer reenlistment options for soldiers amid high Army retention
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
The Corps must take the lead on Medal of Honor for Maj. Capers
In 1967, Maj. James Capers Jr.'s greatest threats were enemy fire and claymore mines. In 2025, they are friendly indifference and bureaucratic paralysis. Capers is a legend — a decorated Force Recon Marine who led multiple assaults, saved lives and paid the price in blood. Everyone, without exception, who has reviewed the facts — whether it was 3rd Marine Division Commanding General Maj. Gen. Bruno Hochmuth, who spoke with Capers' Marines in 1967, those who have read firsthand accounts or those who have seen Capers' actions compared, side by side, with the actions of other Marines who rightly received our nation's highest honor — agrees on one point: Capers deserves the Medal of Honor. Some have stated, after reviewing the evidence and the comparative chart, that the Medal of Honor is not awarded by some mechanical checklist and that it has always involved subjective judgment. The purpose of presenting the evidence and comparisons is not to suggest we can 'math' our way to a MOH — it's to highlight when we look at all things being equal (situation, actions, timeframe, organization, impact, etc.), Capers' case should have been evaluated on par with others who received the MOH. If the argument is that the process is purely subjective, then we must ask: What was the subjective factor that led to Capers receiving the Silver Star rather than the MOH? Was that factor justified? Was it fair? Was it consistent? If we accept that everything is subjective with no need for comparison or review, then why not put everyone up for the MOH? Simply saying it's subjective can't be the end of the conversation — we must understand the subjective input, or else we leave the door open to biases, oversights and errors. There must be some balance — guided by standards, fairness and accountability. To that, most respond with a shrug: 'It is what it is. For every Capers, there are dozens more who were also overlooked.' That resignation isn't leadership. It's surrender. Worse, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. They assume Capers will not receive the MOH because they know others were left unrecognized — perhaps because they themselves never fought for them, or because they quietly accept that the system is broken. And if Capers is denied once again, they'll simply nod and say, 'See? I told you,' instead of fighting to fix what they know is broken. Others hide behind bureaucratic lines, claiming Capers' case has already been reviewed or that there is no new information. But if that's true — if the same facts now before the president, Congress and the public were substantially the same as they were before the awards board — then the board's conclusion was flawed. Capers would have, or should have, been recommended for the MOH. A reasonable alternative explanation is that the Marine Corps' awards board only considered Capers' original end-of-tour Bronze Star with a 'V' device for upgrade to the Silver Star, which they recommended. Why? Because, procedurally, the Silver Star is the highest valor award a Marine can receive for an end-of-tour award. The MOH is not an end-of-tour award — it's for specific acts of valor. The board was procedurally constrained and Capers' actions were not properly recognized. Moreover, when the Navy's decorations and awards board reviewed the matter, they assessed the information the awards board considered — not the process and not whether Capers' actions were actually deserving of the MOH. These procedural constraints, while understandable, cannot now be used to justify a faulty outcome. And yet, while civilian members of Congress are leading this fight with aggressive determination — challenging the bureaucracy, introducing legislation and signing a bipartisan letter to the president — our Marine Corps leadership stands on the sidelines, citing adherence to a flawed system. That should trouble anyone who has ever worn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. Semper Fidelis; honor, courage and commitment; and looking after our own mean nothing if we don't live and act in accordance with those words. Where is our integrity if we know what's right, yet choose to remain silent? There is public reputational risk here, too. If the Marine Corps is seen as indifferent — or worse, obstructive — it invites hard questions: from the media, from the public, from the next news exposé or feature. And if that happens — over the MOH for a legendary Force Recon Marine, who also just happens to be Black — the fallout could be devastating. To be clear: There is no evidence of racial discrimination in this case, nor that this award has anything to do with diversity, equity and inclusion. Capers' recommendation is 100% merit-based, backed by overwhelming evidence and support from his commanders. But that won't be the headlines. This cannot be about politics, public pressure or optics. It must be about leadership — Marine leaders, past and present, standing up for one of our own. Being the champions that Capers — and every Marine — expects and deserves. If we're unwilling to correct this injustice simply because it's hard, then we've lost our moral compass. And even if we fail, let it be said that we failed fighting for what is right — that we were not among 'those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.' Now that President Donald Trump — the same president who rightly awarded the MOH to Sgt. Maj. John Canley, another Vietnam hero — is involved, it's likely he will cut through the bureaucratic morass to ensure Capers receives the recognition he has earned. The only question is: Will the Marine Corps take the offensive to ensure Capers, now 87 years old, receives the MOH while he is still alive? History will remember not only if we acted, but when. The time to act is now. Lt. Col. David 'Bull' Gurfein is a retired prior-enlisted Marine infantry officer who served in Panama, the first Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq. He is the CEO of United American Patriots.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Medal of Honor upgrade for Vietnam-era Recon Marine part of new bill
A bill recently introduced in Congress would upgrade a Silver Star Medal to a Medal of Honor for a recon Marine who fought through severe injuries while under attack on a mission in the jungles of Vietnam in 1967. Retired Maj. Jim Capers received the Silver Star in 2010 for those actions, but supporters believe his valor deserves the nation's highest military honor. House Resolution 3377, sponsored by Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., was filed — and coupled with a letter to President Donald Trump — on May 13 and remains in the House Armed Services Committee as of Monday. The letter, signed in February by six U.S. senators and 41 representatives, details Capers' actions and asks the president to review the award for the purpose of an upgrade. In late March 1967, Marine 2nd Lt. Jim Capers stepped off on a four-day patrol into the jungles near Phú Lộc, South Vietnam. Capers, recently promoted via a battlefield commission to second lieutenant, led nine 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company Marines alongside a dog named 'King.' The mission was to observe a North Vietnamese Army regiment and protect the flank of Company M, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines. On the final day of their mission, enemy claymore mines exploded, triggering an attack on his team. Capers received multiple wounds from both the explosion and the 'dense barrages of direct and indirect enemy fire' that followed. Suffering two broken legs and heavy bleeding, Capers continued fighting and directed his team in the counterattack. He coordinated supporting fire and moved his team to the helicopter extraction, which saved their lives. 'While struggling to maintain consciousness and still under attack, Major Capers demanded continuous situation and status reports from his Marines and ensured the entire team was evacuated before himself,' his award citation reads. 'Barely able to stand, Major Capers finally boarded the helicopter and was evacuated.' Capers twice got off of an evacuation helicopter so it could take off with the other wounded. When he did finally board a helo for extraction, the aircraft crashed. The wreck resulted in another man losing his leg and another individual losing a kidney. Retired Marine Lt. Col. David 'Bull' Gurfein, CEO of United American Patriots, has compared Capers' story to that of another reconnaissance Marine who did receive the Medal of Honor. Nearly a year after Capers heroics, 2nd Lt. Terrence Graves, also with 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, was on a deep jungle patrol in the jungles of Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam, where he led an eight-Marine recon team behind enemy lines. Once his team made contact with a large NVA force, Graves exposed himself to repeated enemy fire to lead assaults, attend to wounded and command the element — all while suffering from a gunshot wound to his thigh. Shortly after boarding a medevac helicopter, Graves and another Marine got back off to search for another Marine until a second helicopter could arrive to retrieve the three of them. The helicopter that eventually picked up the three Marines was shot down. Graves died in the crash. Graves received the Medal of Honor for his actions. Capers' award, meanwhile, was initially a Bronze Star Medal that was later upgraded to a Silver Star Medal.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Korean War 75th anniversary ceremony will be held at Brevard College
BREVARD — The Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas and the Korea Center of Greenville will host a Korean War 75th Anniversary Ceremony at 2 p.m. June 21 at Brevard College. The ceremony will honor the 1.8 million Americans who fought in Korea during that brutal three-year war, as well as the 2.5 million U.S. service members who have deployed to South Korea to keep the peace since the end of the war to today. The ceremony will feature speaker presentations as well as Korean cultural performances and door prizes. Dr. Peter S. Yun is a retired economics professor from the University of Virginia. He will speak on the topic 'A Boy Who Survived the War.' As an abandoned child in war-torn Korea, Yun was adopted by a U.S. Army heavy mortar company and accompanied that unit in combat as a camp assistant for two years. Following the war he served in the Korean Air Force. He later was brought to America by a U.S. Air Force chaplain. Yun earned three degrees from American universities and has contributed a life of service as an educator and ordained minister. Lt. Gen. John M. Brown III, U.S. Army (Ret.), is a Silver Star recipient who has served as Commander of U.S. Army Pacific. He will speak on the topic 'Reflections on the U.S.-South Korea Alliance.' Brown served on the Korean DMZ as Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 38th Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division. His command experience also included assignments in Germany, Bosnia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Honduras and Alaska. He later served as Chief of Staff and Dean of Administration at the National Defense University. More: On Veterans Day, Hendersonville honored those who served with ceremony at Forest Lawn Park Following the speakers, two performances have been arranged by Sara Yoon of the Korea Center of Greenville, South Carolina. The Korea School Children's Choir will sing "Arirang," which anyone who has visited Korea will cherish, and the Korean Dance Team of Atlanta will perform the Korean Fan Dance. A speakers' reception will conclude the event, including Korean finger-food catered by Stone Bowl House Restaurant in Brevard. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on Facebook. The recorded program will also be available later at or Visit to enter your name for a door prize. This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Korean War 75th anniversary ceremony will be held at Brevard College
