Closure for Families as Remains of Four Crew Members are Returned Home

the lead bomber, which returned the salute. The bomber then crashed into the ocean, leaving 11 crew members dead and their remains non-recoverable. After decades of searching, the remains of four crew members have finally been identified and will be coming home. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) used DNA analysis and other methods to identify the remains of the four airmen. The four crew members were identified as 1st Lt. John Liebl, Tech. Sgt. John Brady, Tech. Sgt. Allen Avery, and Staff Sgt. Robert Ward. Their remains will be returned to their families for proper burials. The DPAA continues to search for the remaining seven crew members. The Heaven Can Wait was one of the B-24 Liberator bombers used by the 345th Bomb Group during World War II. The group flew 413 missions from 1943 to 1945, with a total of 1,730 crew members and 273 aircrafts lost. The crash of the Heaven Can Wait was one of the many tragedies faced by the group during the war. The identification and return of the four crew members' remains brings closure to their families and honors the ultimate sacrifice made by these brave airmen. It also highlights the ongoing efforts of the DPAA to locate and identify the remains of American service members who went missing during past conflicts. The families of the four airmen expressed their gratitude and relief at finally being able to bring their loved ones home. This serves as a reminder of the importance of never forgetting the sacrifices made by our soldiers and the continuous dedication of organizations like the DPAA to bring them home."