WWII Airman Buried 67 Years After Bomber Crash
RIVERSIDE (AP) — A World War II airman has been buried in California 67 years after his bomber crashed on a southwest Pacific island.
B-24 tail gunner Claude "Bud" Ray's whereabouts were a mystery for six decades, then a New Guinea villager found the wreckage in the jungle seven years ago. Army investigators identified him this year through DNA analysis.
The Coffeyville, Kan., native was buried Wednesday with a 21-gun salute and military fly over at Riverside National Cemetery.
Ray's niece, Karen Gideon, and nephew, Burt Risser, were on hand.
The military says there are 88,000 World War II military personnel still missing in action and presumed dead.
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