CHESTER — The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) has announced that U.S. Army Air Forces Tech. Sgt. James M. Howie, 24, of Chester, Illinois, killed during World War II, was accounted for Aug. 23, 2022. A graveside service is set for Saturday.
In the summer of 1943, Howie was assigned to the 345th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force.
On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator bomber on which Howie was a radio operator was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and crashed during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania during World War II.
His remains were listed as unknown following the war.
All remains that could not be identified were buried as Unknowns in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania.
Following the war, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC), the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel, disinterred all American remains from the Bolovan Cemetery for identification. The AGRC was unable to identify more than 80 unknowns from Bolovan Cemetery, and those remains were permanently interred at Ardennes American Cemetery and Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, both in Belgium.
In 2017, DPAA began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE losses.
These remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for examination and identification.
To identify Howie’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence.
Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y chromosome DNA (Y-STR) analysis.
Howie’s name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Impruneta, Italy, along with others still missing from WWII.
A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Howie will be buried in Chester, Illinois, on Saturday, June 3, 2023.
An organization called The Flagman’s Mission is organizing the posting of 600 flags in Chester for TSgt. Howie’s return Friday.
Help is needed in the community Friday and Saturday.
“We will be creating a memorial of flags lining the funeral route with up to 600 flags (3×5 foot flags on 10-foot poles)”, an official with The Flagman’s Mission stated in a news release. He said they will need just as many people to take down the flags as they need to set them up, so if you can’t get there Friday, go Saturday.
Those who would like to help place the flags are asked to meet at 5 p.m. Friday at St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, 701 Palestine Road, Chester Illinois, 62233
The flags will be taken down Saturday at 2 p.m. Volunteers are asked to go to St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, 701 Palestine Road Chester.
“Just show up, youth groups, children over the age of 11 years old are encouraged to help. If you can carry five pounds and walk you can help! Recommend wear gloves and walking shoes.
Should be able to accomplish this in less than two hours with enough help.”
Any questions please call call or text The Flagman’s Mission at 618-409-0323
Community members are also invited to the graveside service Saturday June 3rd, 2023 at 11 a.m.
TSgt Howie’s obituary:
A graveside service will be held Saturday, June 3, 2023 for 24-year-old U.S. Army Air Force Technical Sgt. James Mills Howie of Chester, Illinois who perished Aug. 1, 1943, when the B-24 Liberator bomber on which Howie was a radio operator was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and crashed during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania.
He was born to Minerva and M.S. Howie on June 12, 1919.
Family of Technical Sgt. James Mills Howie: Spouse: Irma C. Howie (maiden-Clausen) (remarried-Bierman); a son: James “Jim” L. (Laura) Howie; a grandson: James “Jim” C. (Laura) Howie and two great grandchildren: Hunter and Tayler Howie
A graveside service for 24-year-old U.S. Army Air Force Technical Sgt. James Mills Howie of Chester, Illinois will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 3, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Fr. Sebastian Ukoh will officiate.