During World War II, Elsie Thompson, the youngest of seven siblings, lost two brothers. Marcus Engesser, her oldest brother, is being returned to his California hometown more than 80 years after his demise, following an identification by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Her brother Phillip Engesser was returned home to be laid to rest.
Operating in the Philippines, Engesser was a member of Company L of the 31st Infantry Regiment during World War II.
The U.S. Army endeavored to identify the personnel buried in that grave in 1947, after it was exhumed.
Thompson, who was 92 years old, recalled Engesser as a “handsome” and “good” older sibling.
“”My mother endured a great deal of hardship as a result of the loss of several sons during the conflict,” Thompson disclosed to CBS News. “I believe it was quite difficult for my mother.” arcus is the sole individual; we did not possess any information regarding him.
In In 2018, the DPAA disinterred the undetermined remains that were buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in order to conduct further research. In 2023, the DPAA’s laboratory was able to positively identify some of the remains as belonging to Engesser through mitochondrial DNA analysis, dental and anthropological analysis, and other evidence. mpson disclosed to CBS News that she was apprised of the identification in 2024 and expressed her satisfaction with the closure.
“I”It was deeply distressing to learn about Marky’s circumstances,” Thompson stated. She also stated that she intends to interment Engesser’s remains with her mother, siblings, and other family members. t has been an extremely rewarding experience.”
What is the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency?
ThoThompson is merely one of the thousands of individuals who have received the remains of their family members through the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Last year, the organization was responsible for the location of 158 missing personnel. identifications provide families with a sense of closure and provide the opportunity for fallen servicemen to be buried in their hometowns.
The caThe Vietnam War brought the demand to identify and recover fallen soldiers to the forefront of the nation’s conscience, according to Ashley Wright, a public affairs specialist with the DPAA. Wright stated that the United States has “always endeavored to account for our missing,” beginning with the American Graves Registration Command following World War II. stated that the command would endeavor to make identifications based on the most current scientific knowledge available at the time.
As sciHowever, as science has progressed, so have recoveries and identifications. Approximately 72,000 personnel from World War II, approximately 7,500 from the Korean War, and over 1,550 from the Vietnam War remain unaccounted for. Wright, however, stated that there are only six soldiers who remain unaccounted for from the initial Gulf Wars, and there are no unaccounted for soldiers from the Afghanistan War. ent conflicts, technology has been instrumental in the identification and return of soldiers.
“It’s justAccording to Wright, “The situation is deteriorating rapidly with each conflict.” “The cases that we are currently addressing are not straightforward, as they would have been resolved earlier.” These are difficult cases. These are challenging cases. ply persisting in our efforts to provide these families with the information they require.
What is the method by which the DPAA identifies deceased soldiers?
In order to assist the DPAA laboratory in making identifications, Wright stated that “history, diplomacy, and science intersect.”
The prThe procedure commences with historical research. The agency’s researchers and experts begin by reviewing archival records to gather as much information as possible regarding the last known location of a fallen soldier. ea will be visited by investigative teams to interview any surviving witnesses and to inspect the area in search of clues to substantiate the disappearance of an individual.
The agNorth Korea is the sole exception to the agency’s operations in 46 nations. asserted that the diplomacy is even small-scale enough to establish a connection with individual locals, as it is possible for a fallen combatant to have disappeared on what is now private land.
Once tA recovery mission is dispatched to the region once the DPAA researchers have confirmed that they are in the correct location. According to Wright, these teams consisted of hazardous ordnance disposal specialists who were capable of managing live ammunition that may have been present on the premises. Medical personnel, senior recovery experts, and forensic photographers are also included in these groups. The physical labor of digging and searching for remains may involve up to 100 local workers. stated that recovery missions are on the ground for 30 to 60 days before returning to the DPAA laboratory.
Back aIn an effort to identify the remains of the slain soldiers, numerous scientific methodologies are implemented in the laboratory. Dental evidence can be matched to the profiles of missing soldiers by forensic odontologists, who are dentists who are capable of examining medical records and comparing them to molars found in the field. Comparisons are made with other distinctive bones, such as clavicles. case of soldiers who disappeared during the Korean War, specialists compare the results of tuberculosis skin tests conducted prior to their deployment to the remains that were discovered.
The reThe remains are subsequently arranged and X-rayed to facilitate further identification. Other methods of analysis, such as mitochondrial DNA and isotope analysis, can ascertain the diet of an individual decades ago. This can assist in distinguishing the remains of American soldiers, who typically consumed a corn-based diet, from those of locals who may have consumed a different diet. AA has also collected comparison DNA from family members, such as Thompson.
OnceUpon the probable identification of a deceased combatant, family members are requested to provide a DNA reference sample. mately, a medical examiner will approve a report that confirms the identification. Subsequently, service casualty personnel will contact family members to provide a comprehensive briefing.
The proceThe process is extremely laborious and time-consuming. ated that families may spend decades questioning the fate of their loved one, as Thompson did.
“Every ca”Each case is unique and presents its own set of obstacles,” Wright stated. “A family member is involved in each of these cases.” Each of those individuals has a comrade-in-arms who continues to question their fate. rtainly not unaware of that figure in any capacity.
Providing families with a sense of closure
Wright saWright stated that the DPAA’s objective is to provide closure to family members and loved ones, such as Thompson and Smith. ary collaborates with the families to arrange a burial with full military honors after informing them of their loved one’s identification.
“They will receive full military honors as a result of their ultimate sacrifice, even if we only locate and identify a single tooth,” Wright stated.
Smith saiSmith expressed that her family has found this closure to be “incredible” and expressed her gratitude for her uncle’s full military funeral. She stated that she and Thompson would be able to meet the aircraft transporting Engesser’s remains to California on the tarmac. lly, they were awarded Engesser’s medals.
“My grand”My grandmother endured an immense amount of hardship…” Smith stated, “It means a great deal to have (Engesser) return home and be buried with his mother after all these years.” “I am extremely grateful that my mother was present to witness this event.” e that her brother’s return to American soil is of great significance to her.
