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WWII Vet's Remains Home After 81 Years
22 Jul
Summary
- Remains identified after 81 years through DNA testing.
- Sgt. McNeill died as a prisoner of war in 1945.
- He will be buried in his hometown on November 11, 2026.
After being held as a prisoner of war for decades, U.S. Army Air Forces Sgt. Leonard J. McNeill will finally be laid to rest in Orlando. His remains were accounted for on October 9, 2025, marking the end of an 81-year journey home.
Sgt. McNeill was a tail gunner on a B-29 bomber during a mission against the Nakajima Aircraft Engine Plant. The aircraft crashed, and he became a prisoner of war at the Tokyo Military Prison. He tragically died in a fire at the prison in May 1945.
While 65 sets of remains were recovered from the prison after the war, none could be identified as Sgt. McNeill. These unidentified remains were interred by U.S. forces. In 2022, advancements in forensic science led to the exhumation of 39 unknown soldiers' remains for comparison.
Scientists successfully identified Sgt. McNeill's remains through DNA testing and comparison with those of previously unknown soldiers. Sgt. McNeill is slated for burial in his hometown on November 11, 2026, finally bringing closure to his long and arduous journey.
Family and funeral details are available through the Army Casualty Office.
