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PRESS RELEASE | July 1, 2021

Airman Accounted For From World War II (Shay, A.)

WASHINGTON – The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Anel B. Shay, Jr., 26, killed during World War II, was accounted for June 28, 2021.



In the summer of 1943, Shay was assigned to the 345th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft on which Shay was serving as a bombardier crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE, the largest bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war. The remains that could not be identified were buried as Unknowns in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania.



For additional information on the Defense Department's mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving our country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or https://www.linkedin.com/company/defense-pow-mia-accounting-agency.



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Assigned to 345BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF. Bombardier of B-24 41-24246 'Semper Felix' exploded having released its bombs over target as a result of ground fire on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid. Pilot Lt. August W Sulflow. Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 225.



Awards: DFC, AM (4OLC), PH.