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Remains of US airman missing since second world war laid to rest in Florida

Remains of US airman missing since second world war laid to rest in Florida

Summary

The remains of US Navy airman Robert Cyr Jr., missing since a 1944 World War II plane crash in the South Pacific, were found and identified using DNA. His family recently held a military funeral for him in Clearwater, Florida, bringing closure to a long search.

Key Facts

  • Robert Cyr Jr. went missing after his seaplane crashed in January 1944 near what is now Vanuatu.
  • Out of nine crew members, three survived, four bodies were recovered soon after, and two, including Cyr, remained missing.
  • The wreck was found in July 2022 by Sealark Exploration during a search for missing service members.
  • Further digs in 2024 and 2025 found possible human remains that were confirmed by DNA testing as Cyr’s.
  • Cyr was honored with a military funeral in Clearwater, Florida, where his relatives live.
  • He earned several military awards, including the Purple Heart and World War II Victory Medal.
  • Cyr’s name was listed among the missing at a memorial in Hawaii; a rosette will mark his account as found.
  • Cyr had served as an aviation radioman in the South Pacific and described his role as spotting enemy positions.
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