After 83 years, John Pagliuso is finally getting the funeral he deserves. Pagliuso, killed in action serving in the Army during World War II, will receive a burial with full military honors on Nov. 7 in his hometown of Lyons, New York.
Pagliuso, presumed missing in action for several decades, was finally identified through DNA technology earlier this year. Norma Davis, Pagliuso’s niece and the oldest living next of kin, was shocked when the Army phoned her back in March to share the terrific news – remains discovered in the Philippines belonged to her Uncle Johnny.
“It was unexpected, obviously,” Davis told Spectrum News 1 in Rochester, New York.
The call came on Davis’s birthday. Talk about a birthday present she’ll never forget.
Davis was born three years after Pagliuso was designated as missing in action by the Army. The soldier grew up in Lyons, a town of about 5,000 souls in upstate New York, resting between Syracuse and Rochester. After he graduated from high school, Lyons attended Syracuse University, studying forestry. After the U.S became involved in World War II, Pagliuso married his girlfriend and signed up for the Army Air Corps.
The sergeant was working as an aerial photographer when the plane he was riding in, a B-25 Mitchell Bomber, was shot down in Papua New Guinea in October 1942. Pagliuso was one of six crew members on the doomed flight.
“He was only 24 when he died,” Davis said.
Originally listed as MIA, Pagliuso’s family never heard another word about him from the military, according to Davis. Eighty-three years later, Pagliuso is coming home.
Family Struggled With Questions
Davis didn't know her uncle, but his memory never faded. His parents, Davis’s grandparents, talked about their son many times, praying that someday he would come back to Lyons alive and well.
“It was very difficult for them,” she said. “They always held on to hope.”
His parents would carry the anguish of not knowing what happened to their son to their graves. Eventually, they rationalized that he was likely killed in action, but without a body or any of his remains, they struggled to find closure.
Pagliuso’s mother wrote a heartfelt poem that Davis still has, a prayer for her fallen son.
“My son, he is missing. I don't know where. Oh, Lord, bless everywhere,” part of it read. “He was a good boy. If he is dead, God bless the soul. He's gone to fight for victory. God bless this country, America.”
Remains Finally ID’d
In 2013, the Army called Pagliuso’s family requesting a DNA sample. Remains were discovered around the crash site, and they were hoping to test the DNA to determine if it was a match to Pagliuso. Pagliuso’s sister, still alive at the time, gave a sample. However, after the sample was sent, the family heard nothing.
Twelve years later, Davis finally received a call that the Army had found a match.
Pagliuso’s remains had been shipped to the Philippines and were interred at a military cemetery. After they were properly identified, Army officials began making arrangements with Pagliuso’s family to bring them home to New York.
The discovery follows recent news of veterans being identified after many years, including a Korean War soldier and a Vietnam War veteran.
Samantha Wilson, director of the Wayne County Veterans Service Agency, assisted the military, family members, and Lyons-area veterans’ organizations in planning a military funeral for Pagliuso.
“It's remarkable, to say the least,” Wilson said.
Services
The funeral will take place on Nov. 7, only a few days before Veterans Day.
“It shows you what the price of freedom really is,” Wilson said. “This individual laid down his life for his country, paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
The funeral will be at the Old Elmwood Cemetery in Lyons. After waiting many years for his return home, Pagliuso will be buried alongside his parents.
Wilson said community members are welcome to attend and honor the World War II veteran.
“It gives the community an opportunity to pay their respect,” said Wilson. “And say thank you for the ultimate sacrifice.”
Davis said she’s excited for this long-awaited day to finally arrive. “But I think it's going to be emotional, too,” Davis said.
At the memorial, Davis plans to eulogize the uncle she knew only through stories and old black and white photos.
“It’s just really a wonderful thing,” she said.
