SAVANNAH, Ga. () — A World War II airman once missing in action was laid to rest Friday almost 80 years after his death.

2nd Lieutenant Milton Hymes Jr. is a young airman who vanished in combat and is now getting the tribute he never received. 

At the age of 22, Hymes experienced the tragedy of his bomber crashing over the Baltic Sea in 1944. At present, over 72,000 Americans remain unaccounted for from WWII. However, following an extensive recovery of his remains, Hymes, who was a graduate of Savannah High School, has finally returned home.

His remains were submerged underwater for many years until a recovery team discovered the site and initiated excavation in 2022. Through dental records, dives, and DNA analysis, investigators were able to identify him by late 2024. He received a burial with full military honors at Bonaventure Cemetery, near the parents he had left behind.

A crowd of people, many strangers to the family, gathered at the gravesite to celebrate and honor the life of a man they never met. 

Rabbi Robert Haas of Congregation Mickve Israel told he was honored to be a part of the service. 

“It’s quite amazing for everyone to be present. This man has brought our community together,” Haas stated. “I believe this reflects how we continue to support our nation, our military, and the notion that America, despite any imperfection, truly remains a guiding light for others to admire.”

Dan Davis is a member of Project Recover, the team who brought back Hymes’ remains, and was also at the site for this solemn and special homecoming.

“As a veteran and working with other veterans in the organization, Project Recover, we take very seriously this promise of America to bring everybody home,” Davis said. 

It was a powerful moment of closure for the family. Two of Hymes’ nephews opened up to about the sense of peace they now feel seeing their mother’s brother at his final resting place.

“It’s been an emotional week, and we all go through different emotions. I think the cousins that had mothers that suffered so much… just having this week has been a closure we hope for them, but also for us,” Donald Pittman said. 

“I think the research and all the things that we’ve done to get to know him in such a different way helps make it so much more personal and makes it where I to try even harder to live up to some of the examples that he set,” Milton Gay said. 

2nd Lt. Hymes’ mission is now complete, and his body laid to rest. Next year, there will be a place people can remember his service forever at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler.

Hymes’ items will be joined by other service men and women, the exhibit called “Service Above Self.”