After more than 80 years, the remains of a soldier from Wayne County who was lost during World War II will finally be laid to rest. Officials say John A. Pagliuso, an airman from Lyons in Wayne County, was killed in action around October 5, 1942, during a bombing mission over what is now Papua New Guinea (what was then the Territory of Papua).
Pagliuso served in the U.S. Army Air Corps with the 405th Bombardment Squadron, 38th Bombardment Group. He trained as an aerial photographer. In 1942, his aircraft failed to return from the mission after spotting a Japanese convoy and engaging the enemy. The crash site was located in 1944, but the remains recovered at the time could not be identified, instead referred to as Unknown X-133.
This year, the soldier’s remains were officially identified through mitochondrial DNA analysis of a maternal niece and sister. A public funeral service is planned for November 7 at 11 a.m. at Old Elmwood Cemetery in Lyons to finally lay this airman to rest.
One county official, Wayne County Veterans Service Director Samantha Wilson, said, “This accounting brings long-awaited closure to the family and honors the immense sacrifice Staff Sgt. Pagliuso made for our nation.”
His oldest living relative, Norma Davis, is grateful his remains have finally been identified, despite having never had the chance to meet him. She learned about him from her grandparents, including through a poem her grandmother had written in broken English about him.
“My son, he is missing. I don’t know where. Oh, Lord, bless everywhere,” It said.
“He was a good boy,” it continued. “If he is dead, God bless the soul. He’s gone to fight for victory. God bless this country, America.”
Twelve years ago, the U.S. contacted her family to ask for the DNA samples that led to this discovery. It was in March on Norma’s birthday when she received the call, finally confirming his identity.
Pagliuso’s remains will be buried next to his parents.
“It gives the community an opportunity to pay their respect,” said Wilson. “And say thank you for the ultimate sacrifice.”
