WASHINGTON –
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that Army Staff Sgt. Louis S. Doddo, 30, of South Norwalk, Connecticut, killed during World War II, was accounted for Nov. 3, 2020.
In July 1944, Doddo was a member of the 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. He was killed July 7 during a massive Japanese attack against the 105th on the island of Saipan. His remains were not known to have been recovered. The Army issued a finding of death on July 8, 1945.
The American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) searched for and disinterred remains throughout the Pacific theater in an effort to identify fallen service members after the end of the war. Remains identified as Unknown X-26 were first reported as buried in the 27th Infantry Division Cemetery. However, the AGRS was not able to identify X-26, and the remains were buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines on March 30, 1950.
After thorough research, DPAA historians concluded X-26 was possibly associated with Doddo and four other service members. On Dec. 6, 2018, Unknown X-26 was disinterred and sent to the DPAA Laboratory at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for analysis.
To identify Doddo’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.
Doddo’s name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, along with the others who are still missing from World War II. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Doddo will be buried May 2021 in his hometown.
For family and funeral information, contact the Army Casualty office at (800) 892-2490.
DPAA is grateful to the American Battle Monuments Commission for their partnership in this mission.
For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving our country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil, find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or call (703) 699-1420/1169.
Doddo’s personnel profile can be viewed at https://dpaa.secure.force.com/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000Xe2JEAS.