WWII Gunner Identified Nearly 80 Years After Being Shot Down in France

A U.S. Army Air Force gunner's remains have been accounted for nearly eight decades after the heavy bomber he was flying in was shot down over France during World War II, military officials announced Monday.

Staff Sgt. Franklin P. Hall, 21, of Leesburg, Florida, was identified in July by scientists who used anthropological and DNA analysis, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency revealed in a news release.

Hall served as the left waist gunner on a B-24D Liberator called 'Queen Marlene' when it was attacked by German air forces near Équennes-Éramecourt, France.

After German forces discovered the crash site, they recovered nine sets of remains, which were interred in the French cemetery at Poix-de-Picardie.

However, Hall's remains were not recovered at that time, and he was declared non-recoverable in 1951.

Years later, ongoing research into missing soldiers from combat around Équennes-Éramecourt led to the discovery of two sets of remains buried in Normandy American Cemetery.

In 2018, these remains were disinterred and transferred to the DPAA laboratory, where scientists identified one set as belonging to Hall.

Hall's name is currently recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at Ardennes American Cemetery in France, alongside others still missing from WWII.

To signify that Hall has finally been accounted for, a rosette will be placed next to his name.

Although officials did not provide a specific date, Hall will eventually be buried in his hometown of Leesburg, Florida.