American Soldier from Rhode Island, Missing Since WWII, Finally Identified
After a long and determined search, an American soldier from Rhode Island, who lost his life during World War II in Germany, has been identified using DNA evidence, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Meet Pfc. Roy Searle, a young 22-year-old soldier from Providence, Rhode Island. His life was tragically cut short in December 1944 during an intense battle. Sadly, his body was never found during those challenging times, as his infantry regiment had to move on before recovering the fallen soldiers. In 1951, his status was declared as “nonrecoverable” by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
A Remarkable Discovery
Decades later, historians stumbled upon a remarkable discovery. They found a set of remains buried as an unknown soldier at an American Battle Monuments Commission site in France. These remains held the potential to be connected to Roy Searle. In June 2021, these remains were carefully unearthed and sent to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency laboratory for extensive testing.
Through meticulous dental and anthropological analysis, the defense department was able to confirm the identity of these remains as belonging to Roy Searle. It’s a bittersweet moment for his family and our nation, as we finally bring closure to this chapter of history.
A Hero’s Rest
The long journey ends with honor. Roy Searle will be laid to rest on Wednesday in Lake Worth, Florida, where he will find his final resting place among heroes. It’s a solemn moment to remember the sacrifices made by brave soldiers like Searle, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of never forgetting our history.