The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Charles R. Moritz, 21, of Effingham, Ill., will be buried on May 5, 2012, in his hometown. On June 7, 1944, Moritz, of the 555th Fighter Squadron, was the pilot of a P-51C Mustang aircraft that collided with another U.S. aircraft while on a training flight over Lincolnshire, England. Moritz was unable to parachute from his aircraft. A witness reported seeing the aircraft crash north of Faldingworth and south of Goxhill Royal Air Force station, however officials were not able to recover Moritz’s remains. In 2011, local authorities notified U.S. officials of a location containing aircraft wreckage. Human remains and military identification tags bearing Moritz’s name, retrieved from the site, were handed over to a JPAC excavation team. A second excavation of the location recovered additional remains and material evidence including a bracelet with the inscription “Butch Mortiz” and a wallet that contained several cards bearing Moritz’s name. http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/news/news_releases/2012/release_moritz.pdf http://effinghamdailynews.com/deathnotices/x1720495039/Charles-Moritz
View attachment 16464 2nd Lt. Charles R. "Butch" Moritz On Saturday I had the honor of attending the funeral services of 2nd Lt. Charles Moritz in his hometown of Effingham Illinois. I have never been to a service of this type before, I am so glad I went. The motorcycle group "Patriot Guard Riders" provided escort for the hearst and funeral procession. Of course the US Army honor and color guards rendered military honors. There were many members from surrounding American Legion posts in attendance. Overall a very moving and patriotic ceremony. Thought you might enjoy seeing a few of the photos I took at the service. View attachment 16466 View attachment 16468
I can't tell you the joy it puts in my heart that we remember, no matter how long it takes. Thank you, buk for the pictures. And thank you to Lt. Moritz. Your sacrifice is the epitome of what this country was built on.
