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U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) released the below statement on National POW/MIA Recognition Day following the announcement that the remains of Lieutenant Donald Underwood, a Michigan pilot listed as KIA/MIA since World War II, have been identified and will be returned to his family. Dingell’s office worked closely with Lt. Underwood’s brother George Underwood of Wyandotte, who will turn 91 next week, and his son-in-law Mike Mehall, as well as the non-profit organization History Flight, to locate, recover and identify Lt. Underwood’s remains.

“Today we honor and remember our prisoners of war, those missing in action and the brave individuals who have sacrificed so much for this nation. On this day that is marked by pain and loss, it is also a day of hope – for soon, more than 73 years after Lt. Donald Underwood’s airplane crashed in World War II, his family will be able to bring him home. My office is grateful to those who never gave up on this effort. We are honored to help bring closure to the Underwood family and to honor and recognize the sacrifice Lt. Underwood made in service to our country. May this discovery bring hope to all families who are waiting for someone they love to come home.”

In 2013, former Congressman John Dingell’s office was contacted by the family of Lt. Underwood who was originally listed as KIA/MIA after his airplane crashed during the Battle of Tarawa on January 21, 1944. Through many years of letters and communications the family sought desperately to have Lt. Underwood’s body returned to them without success. Congressman John Dingell’s office, and then Congresswoman Debbie Dingell’s office, worked closely with the family, History Flight and the Department of Defense, to ensure the remains were identified and returned to the Underwood family.