U.S. Army Air Corps 2nd Lieutenant whose B-24 bomber disappeared over the Pacific Ocean near New Guinea on November 20, 1943. He was declared dead a year later. At the time of his disappearance the 25-year old French was survived by his parents, his bride, and nine siblings. In 1984 a search recovery team located the aircraft but was unable to recover the remains. In 2004, one of French's relatives had the case reopened and his body was found. Eventually the remains were identified with DNA testing and Lt. French's family was notified. He was buried with full military honors on Saturday, September 26, 2009. Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska sent a U.S. Air Force C-135 plane to fly over French's graveside service.
At the time of Lt. French's burial, he was survived by his sisters Myrtle Lynch and Betty Higby. Mrs. Lynch came from her home in Knoxville, Tennessee to attend her brother's funeral. Mrs. Higby was in a nursing home and unable to make the trip. Lt. French's parents and other siblings are deceased.
At the time of Lt. French's burial, he was survived by his sisters Myrtle Lynch and Betty Higby. Mrs. Lynch came from her home in Knoxville, Tennessee to attend her brother's funeral. Mrs. Higby was in a nursing home and unable to make the trip. Lt. French's parents and other siblings are deceased.
U.S. Army Air Corps 2nd Lieutenant whose B-24 bomber disappeared over the Pacific Ocean near New Guinea on November 20, 1943. He was declared dead a year later. At the time of his disappearance the 25-year old French was survived by his parents, his bride, and nine siblings. In 1984 a search recovery team located the aircraft but was unable to recover the remains. In 2004, one of French's relatives had the case reopened and his body was found. Eventually the remains were identified with DNA testing and Lt. French's family was notified. He was buried with full military honors on Saturday, September 26, 2009. Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska sent a U.S. Air Force C-135 plane to fly over French's graveside service.
At the time of Lt. French's burial, he was survived by his sisters Myrtle Lynch and Betty Higby. Mrs. Lynch came from her home in Knoxville, Tennessee to attend her brother's funeral. Mrs. Higby was in a nursing home and unable to make the trip. Lt. French's parents and other siblings are deceased.
At the time of Lt. French's burial, he was survived by his sisters Myrtle Lynch and Betty Higby. Mrs. Lynch came from her home in Knoxville, Tennessee to attend her brother's funeral. Mrs. Higby was in a nursing home and unable to make the trip. Lt. French's parents and other siblings are deceased.
