Jeremiah P. Mahoney, a World War II soldier from Chicago, was killed on January 17, 1945, during a battle in the Vosges Mountains of France. His remains were unable to be recovered at the time due to the intensity of the fighting, and he was declared dead in January 1946. No records indicated that German forces had captured him, and his body was not found. Mahoney’s remains were discovered in 1946 by the American Graves Registration Command, but were not identified until recently.
Two years ago, Mahoney’s remains were exhumed from the Ardennes American Cemetery in Belgium, where they were buried in 1949 as Unknown X-6379. DPAA historians began conducting research into missing soldiers in the area and used DNA, anthropological, and circumstantial evidence to positively identify Mahoney in May 2022. His remains are now set to be reburied at Arlington National Cemetery, and a rosette will be placed next to his name on the Walls of the Missing at Epinal American Cemetery in Dinozé, France, to indicate that he has been found.
Mahoney was just 19 years old when he lost his life in the service of his country, during the final months of World War II in Europe. He was a member of the Army’s Anti-Tank Company, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, and his unit provided support during the battle in the Vosges Mountains. Despite the valor and dedication shown by Mahoney and his fellow soldiers, his body could not be recovered at the time and he went missing in action.
The identification of Mahoney’s remains brings closure to his family and loved ones, who have waited for decades to learn of his fate. His sacrifice and dedication to his country are honored as he is finally laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, a place of reverence for fallen soldiers. The meticulous efforts of the DPAA in conducting research and analysis to positively identify Mahoney illustrate the ongoing commitment to finding and bringing closure to the families of missing service members from past conflicts.
As Mahoney’s remains are reburied with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, his memory and service to his country are honored and remembered. The placement of a rosette next to his name on the Walls of the Missing at Epinal American Cemetery is a symbolic gesture that ensures he will never be forgotten and that his final resting place has been located. The process of identifying and recovering the remains of missing soldiers from past conflicts is an ongoing mission of the DPAA, and each successful identification brings closure and honor to the families of the fallen.
