Military Laboratories Use Forensic Techniques to Identify Soldiers Decades After Their Deaths in World War II

Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska is home to a federal lab that is working tirelessly to bring closure to families of fallen soldiers from World War II and other conflicts. The lab, along with its sister lab in Hawaii, is dedicated to identifying missing soldiers and providing them with a proper burial.

Carrie Brown, a lab manager at Offutt, emphasized the importance of this work, noting that the stories of these lost soldiers are passed down through generations, often leaving families with unanswered questions. With Memorial Day and the 80th anniversary of D-Day approaching, the urgency of their mission is clear.

Thanks to advances in DNA technology and innovative techniques, the labs have been able to increase the number of identifications each year. In 2023, they identified 159 service members, up from 134 in 2022, with a goal of reaching 200 identifications annually.

One such success story is that of Cpl. Charles Ray Patten, who died during the Korean War and was buried as an unknown for 74 years. Thanks to the lab’s work, Patten was finally laid to rest with full military honors alongside his family members in Missouri.

While the process of identifying these soldiers can be complex and time-consuming, the dedication of the experts at the lab ensures that these heroes are never forgotten. Brown and her team are committed to honoring the sacrifices made by these servicemembers and bringing them home to their families.