Legacy CAFB crewman recovered

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - The remains of a once considered unrecoverable WWII pilot, with ties to the legacy of a Columbus AFB squadron, was returned home after missing for 77 years. Army Air Corps 2nd Lt. Henry D. Mitchell, who was shot down over Austria in 1944 and presumed Killed in Action, has been found. On Dec. 11, 1953, Mitchell was declared non-recoverable. A Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) team discovered Mitchell’s crash site and on Aug. 3 he was declared accounted for. He was buried in Fayetteville, Ark. “Anytime we recover the remains of somebody that has made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, it really resonates as a reminder for us who wear the uniform that we signed up to do the same thing,” said Lt. Col. Nelson Prouty, the CAFB-based 48th Flying Training Squadron commander. As a P-38 Lightning pilot, he was tied to the lineage of the 48th FTS that originated at Keely Field, Texas in 1917. At the time, the unit was named the 48th Aero Squadron, and was to provide Aerodome infrastructure support in France for Allied Forces. Upon the conclusion of their time in Italy, the unit went through a number of changes, including station adjustments and reclassifications. The unit was fused with the 48th Pursuit Squadron in 1941 at Hamilton Field Calif., birthing the unit that relocated to CAFB. The outbreak of WWII propelled the unit into combat operations in the African and European theaters. At the time, the 48th conducted bomber escorts, strafing operations, and supported the advancement of Allied infantry forces throughout the theaters. In July1944, Mitchell's squadron was returning to base in Italy when iti encountered enemy aircraft. Mitchell was shot down and crashed near Waldegg, Austria. The CAFB squadron recently hosted a grand opening for their re-vamped heritage room to celebrate the history of their squadron. Heritage rooms serve as a reminder of the lineage of the previous members who served in that squadron to include past commanders, highly awarded pilots, missing in action, and prisoners of war. “It’s important to remember and honor the people who have come before you by remembering what they have done and making sure you live up to that legacy as you go forward,” said Prouty. (Source: CAFB 10/15/21) 211008-F-WT071-1003.JPG (7150×4161) (defense.gov)