MIA Airman Laid To Rest 80 Years After He Was Killed During Enemy Conflict In WWII

MARANA, Ariz.- The Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery at Marana (AVMC-Marana) had the honor of laying to rest a U.S. Airman who was Missing In Action and killed during World War II.

Technical Sergeant Harold Seifreid was laid to rest at AVMC-Marana on April 19, surrounded by his family and a grateful community.

On Dec. 1, 1943, the B-24J Liberator that Seifreid and his crew were in disappeared near Burma. At the time, the 31-year-old Philadelphia native was serving as a radio operator with the 436th Bombardment Squadron, 7th Bombardment Group.

While on a bombing mission from Panagarh, India to Rangoon, Burma, the plane was reportedly hit by an anti-aircraft fire, causing the left wing to burst into flames and crash.

The crew was declared MIA and the incident was documented, however attempts to locate the crash and recover the remains were futile during war time. It wasn’t until 1947 that the American Grave Registration Service was able to recover eight individuals from the crash site.

Witnesses said that no one survived the crash and that Japanese forces had stripped the service members of any identifying information and had instructed villagers to bury the remains in two large graves nearby.

Through a DNA match, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency was able to identify Harold in November 2023.

“Our government did not give up, so now today we come to pay our final respects and give honor to whom honor is due,” said the chaplain who presided over the ceremony.  

Among the crowd gathered at AVMC-Marana were several of Seifreid’s relatives, nieces and nephews and grandchildren, who had never met him but were regaled with stories of Harold’s life and service growing up.

“The peace this burial will provide to the family, both present and past is a special gift to my family, now you can truly rest in peace,” said Seifreid's niece Joanne Lowry. “This makes us so proud of our country, the country, Harold Seifreid gave his life for. Uncle Harold, you are now home. Home here in the mainland, surrounded by your military family and your relatives.”

Lovingly called Howie by his siblings, Harold was known as a jokester who always wanted to make people smile.

Harold was given full military honors and was interred at AVMC-Marana.

Thank you Harold for your service and sacrifice.