WASHINGTON –
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced today that U.S. Army Air Forces Sgt. Thomas G. Deitman, 24, killed during World War II, was accounted for April 25, 2025.
In 1944, Deitman, a tail-gunner aboard a B-17G “Flying Fortress,” was assigned to 327th Bombardment Squadron, 92d Bombardment Group, Eighth Air Force. He was reportedly killed in action on Sept. 13 during a bombardment mission to Merseburg, Germany after his aircraft was shot down by enemy aircraft and anti-aircraft fire and crashed in the vicinity of Neustädt, Germany. Eight of the nine crew members onboard were killed and buried by German forces in a cemetery in Neustaedt. Deitman’s remains were not accounted for after the war.
This is an initial release. The complete accounting of Deitman's case will be published once the family receives their full briefing.
For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving their country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil or on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa, https://www.linkedin.com/company/dodpaa, https://www.instagram.com/dodpaa/, or https://x.com/dodpaa.