Cemeteries add rosettes for September service member identification announcements

The American Battle Monuments Commission placed six rosettes for service members whose identifications were announced by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in September. When a service member has been identified, DPAA releases full details on their recovery after their families have been briefed.

When a missing service member is recovered, identified and finally laid to rest, ABMC places a rosette beside their name on the Walls of the Missing at the cemetery where they are memorialized. This rosette, a symbol of eternity, is crafted as a bronze rosemary wreath-a timeless emblem of honor and victory. Encircled by the eight-points of a compass, it signifies America's commitment, reaching out in all directions to recover their remains from the farthest corners of the earth.

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Charles Arnao, 30, of Philadelphia, killed during World War II, was accounted for March 18. Arnao was assigned to Signal Company, Aircraft Warning, Philippines Department on the Bataan Peninsula, in the Philippines.

[Link]Second Lt. Charles Arnao is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery.

U.S. Army Capt. Willibald C. Bianchi, 29, killed during World War II, was accounted for Aug. 11. A Medal of Honor recipient, Bianchi served as commander of Company D, 1st Battalion, 45th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Scouts, on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines.

[Link]A bronze rosette next to the name of Capt. Willibald Bianchi on the Walls of the Missing signifies he has been accounted for. The Medal of Honor recipient's identification was announced by DPAA Sept. 19, 2025 in conjunction with POW/MIA Recognition Day. (Photo by American Battle Monuments Commission)

U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Fatur, 19, killed during World War II, was accounted for on July 9. Fatur was assigned to 429th Bombardment Squadron, 2nd Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force as a tailgunner aboard a B-17G "Flying Fortress" bomber.

[Link]Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Fatur is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery.

U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Gerald J. Melofchik, 24, of New York, New York, killed during World War II, was accounted for June 24. Melofchik was assigned to the 615th Bombardment Squadron, 401st Bombardment Group (Heavy), Eighth U.S. Air Force.

[Link]First Lt. Gerard J. Melofchik is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at Brittany American Cemetery.

U.S. Navy Reserve Seaman 2nd Class Jerome M. Mullaney, 18, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, killed during World War II, was accounted for March 10. Mullaney was assigned to the destroyer USS Glennon, which participated in the invasion of France on June 6, 1944.

[Link]Seaman 2nd Class Jerome M. Mullaney is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Junior J. Shelton, 24, of Sebree, Kentucky, killed during World War II, was accounted for April 25. Shelton was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division.

[Link]Staff Sgt. Junior J. Shelton is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery.