Remains of Texas fighter pilot identified, missing since WWII

HOUSTON (AP) — The remains of a World War II aviator from Texas missing since a 1945 crash in the Philippines have been located and identified.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on Friday announced confirmation of the remains of 21-year-old Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Hulen A. Leinweber of Houston.

Leinweber was with the 40th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group. On June 10, 1945, he was on a strafing mission, targeting a convoy in the Philippines, when his P-51 was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed.

The American Graves Registration Service searched an area south of Ilap village during August 1947 and found wreckage but no remains. A site believed to be associated with the crash was excavated last year.

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DNA analysis helped identify Leinweber, who was accounted for on June 20.

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