{"id":348247,"date":"2026-07-22T06:22:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T06:22:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/348247\/"},"modified":"2026-07-22T06:22:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T06:22:15","slug":"remains-of-wwii-prisoner-of-war-return-to-orlando-after-decades-away","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/348247\/","title":{"rendered":"Remains of WWII prisoner of war return to Orlando after decades away"},"content":{"rendered":"

Decades after being taken a WW II prisoner of war, U.S. Army Air Forecs Sgt. Leonard J. McNeill is coming home to Orlando, the Defense POW\/MIA Accounting Agency <\/a>announced Tuesday. Sgt. McNeill’s remains were accounted for on October 9, 2025.<\/p>\n

Sgt. McNeill, who died as a Prisoner of War, served as a tail gunner aboard a Boeing B-29 “Superfortress” bomber. During a bombing missing against the Nakajima Aircraft Enging Plant, the aircraft crashed. Circumstances surrounding the crash are unknown.<\/p>\n

McNeill survived the crash, but was held as a prisoner of war at the Tokyo Military Prison. In May of 1945, there was a fire at the Prison where The Defense POW\/MIA Accounting Agency says Sgt. McNeill died.<\/p>\n

After the war, the Amercian Graves Registration Service<\/a> recovered 65 sets of remains from the Tokyo Military Prison, they were unable to identify any as McNeill. After identification efforts, U.S. forces interred 39 Unkowns associated with the prison.<\/p>\n

In 2022, the 39 Unknowns were exhumed for comparison to associated casualties. Scientists identified Sgt. McNeill’s remains through DNA testing and comparisons with thirty-nine previously unknown soldiers.<\/p>\n

Sgt. McNeill will be buried in his hometown on Nov. 11, 2026<\/p>\n

Family and funeral information can be foud by visiting the Army Casualty Office<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here<\/a> to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.<\/p>\n

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