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ID Announcements

Press Release | Sept. 15, 2025

Soldier Accounted For From World War II (Rakoff, L.)

WASHINGTON  –  

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced today that U.S. Army Pvt. Leo Rakoff, 26, killed during World War II, was accounted for Aug. 12, 2025.

In the fall of 1944, Rakoff was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division in the European Theater. He was reported missing in action on Sept. 27 during Operation MARKET GARDEN near Groesbeek, Netherlands His remains were not recovered after the war, and he was declared nonrecoverable in 1950.

This is an initial release. The complete accounting of Rakoff'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/dodpaahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/dodpaa,
https://www.instagram.com/dodpaa/, or https://x.com/dodpaa.