Gowanda men remain unaccounted for from World War II | Latest Updates on News, Sports, and Job Opportunities

Private Carroll D. Heath, a forgotten warrior from Gowanda, enlisted in the Army in February 1941 and was deployed to the Philippine Islands with the Signal Corps. When Japan attacked on Dec. 8, 1941, Heath found himself in a beleaguered status, surrounded by a hostile force with no means of escape. Despite his valiant efforts, he was listed as a prisoner of war and later declared dead on Dec. 31, 1941.

For 69 years, Heath’s name was not included on Gowanda’s World War II Honor Roll, but a classmate’s interest in his status led to a series of Associated Press stories in 2015. After a back-and-forth with the Army, Heath was posthumously awarded nine medals, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and POW Medals. His name was finally added to the National Prisoner of War Museum’s database and Gowanda’s Honor Roll on the 70th anniversary of VJ Day.

Another Gowanda native, Rolland J. Luce, enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1943 and became a B-24 bomber pilot in China. On Aug. 6, 1945, Luce’s plane, Poco Moco, disappeared over Burma while delivering gasoline. Despite extensive search efforts, no trace of the aircraft or crew was ever found.

Both families provided DNA samples to the Defense POW/MIA Agency, but as of April 2024, there have been no new developments in the search for Heath and Luce. Headstones in Cattaraugus County stand as a reminder of their sacrifice and the hope for their eventual return. Alan E. Mesches, a Gowanda native turned writer, continues to honor their memory through his work.