texas

Remains of Texas Aviator in WWII Recovered From France, Identified

The remains of a military pilot from Texas missing since his plane was shot down in France during World War II have been recovered and identified.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on Monday announced the remains are 22-year-old Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Ottaway B. Cornwell of Houston.

Cornwell in January 1944 was a member of the 4th Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Group, Twelfth (XII) Air Force. He was piloting a Supermarine Spitfire when the aircraft was shot down over Pierrefeu-du-Var, France, during a battle with a German pilot.

A French researcher in October 2016 contacted U.S. authorities about a possible aircraft crash site near his home in that village.

Cornwell's remains were positively identified this year using DNA and dental analysis and he was accounted for on July 25.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us