A U.S. soldier’s identity has been confirmed more than 80 years after his disappearance during World War II. Willibald Bianchi, a former Army captain from New Ulm, Minnesota, was honored with the Medal of Honor for his bravery in combat.
Bravery on the Bataan Peninsula
In 1942, Bianchi served as a battalion commander on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines. He volunteered to clear enemy machine gun nests operated by Japanese forces. Despite sustaining injuries, Bianchi persisted in his mission, demonstrating remarkable valor.
Prisoner of War
After his capture by Japanese forces, Bianchi was held as a prisoner until 1944. He was transferred on the transport ship Oryoku Maru, which was attacked and sunk by U.S. aircraft unaware of the prisoners onboard. Bianchi was later moved to another ship that also met a similar fate, leading to reports of his death.
Discovery of Remains
Bianchi was just 29 years old when he died. In 1946, his remains were found in a mass grave on a beach in Taiwan. However, they could not be identified at that time and were buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.
- Year of Birth: 1916
- Year of Death: 1944
- Age at Death: 29
Modern Identification Efforts
Between October 2022 and July 2023, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) disinterred these unidentifiable remains from the Punchbowl cemetery. Using anthropological analysis and DNA testing, scientists successfully identified Bianchi.
Legacy and Memorial
Willibald Bianchi’s name is inscribed on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines. Plans are in place for his burial in his hometown of New Ulm, Minnesota, in May, allowing the community to honor his memory and sacrifices.
