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The remains of U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sergeant Eugene Darrigan, a World War II veteran, were laid to rest on Saturday (May 24) in his hometown of Wappingers Falls, New York. Darrigan, who served as a radio operator, died at the age of 26 when his B-24 bomber, "Heaven Can Wait," was shot down over present-day Papua New Guinea on March 11, 1944.
The bomber, part of the 320th Bombardment Squadron, was on a mission to bomb Japanese targets when it was hit by enemy fire. All 11 crew members perished, and their remains were initially deemed non-recoverable. However, a dedicated effort led by family members and organizations such as Project Recover and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) resulted in the discovery and recovery of the plane's wreckage in 2017.
The recovery mission, which took place in early 2023, was the deepest underwater MIA recovery ever undertaken by the U.S. government. The DPAA used dental records and DNA analysis to positively identify Darrigan's remains in September 2024. His burial was attended by family, friends, and community members who gathered to honor his service and sacrifice.
Darrigan's story is part of a broader effort to bring closure to families of missing World War II servicemen. The remains of other crew members, including 2nd Lt. Thomas Kelly, are also being returned to their families for burial. As reported by YourErie.com, Scott Althaus, a relative of one of the crew members, expressed gratitude for the successful recovery, stating, "It’s been an impossible journey — just should never have been able to get to this day."
For more information on efforts to account for missing American servicemen, visit the DPAA website.