Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Marvin B. Rothman, killed during World War II, has now been accounted for.
On April 11, 1944, Rothman was a member of the 311th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group, and was the pilot of a single-seat P-47D Thunderbolt, on a bombing escort mission to Wewak Territory of New Guinea, when he was attacked by enemy fighter aircraft. When the escort flight returned from the mission, Rothman was reported missing. The War Department declared Rothman deceased as of Feb. 6, 1946.
In late 1946, remains were located and examined, but an identification could not be made.
In July 2004 a contractor for the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command investigated a crash site in Papua New Guinea, and found material evidence and aircraft data. Additional remains and artifacts were found by a U.S. recovery team in 2009.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Rothman's remains were included.
Interment services are pending.
Welcome home and rest in peace, 2nd Lt. Rothman.