VFW Action Corps Weekly

VFW Fall Legislative Conference: The VFW National Legislative Committee members met with senators, representatives, and staffers in Washington, D.C., to discuss the VFW’s legislative priorities. Specific focus was given to cracking down on predatory claims companies, consistent access to VA benefit enrollment for service members, and the role of economic opportunity benefits in helping to prevent veteran suicide. The VFW will continue to advocate for these issues to assist service members, veterans, and their families.

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced six burial updates for service members who have been missing and unaccounted for from World War II and the Korean War. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

--Army Pfc. Roy J. Searle, 22, of Providence, Rhode Island, was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. He was mortally wounded on Dec. 9, 1944. He will be buried on Sept. 13, 2023, in Lake Worth, Florida. Read about Searle.
--Army Air Forces Pfc. Glenn A. Harris, 26, of Monterey, California, was a member of the 93rd Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group. He was captured on April 9, 1942, and died as a prisoner of war on July 26, 1942. He will be buried in Bradley, California, on Sept. 30, 2023. Read about Harris.
--Army Air Forces Flight Officer Chester L. Rinke, 33, of Marquette, Michigan, was assigned to the 678th Bombardment Squadron, 444th Bombardment Group, 58th Bombardment Wing, Twentieth Bomber Command. He was killed in action on June 26, 1944. He will be buried in Seville, Ohio, on a date to be determined. Read about Rinke.
--Army Sergeant Stanley Turba, 27, of Russellton, Pennsylvania, was a member of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing in action on April 26, 1951. The Army issued a presumptive finding of death on Feb. 23, 1954. He will be buried in Columbus, Ohio, on a date to be determined. Read about Turba.
--Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Charles G. Reynolds, 24, of Bridgeport, Ohio, was assigned to the 498th Bombardment Squadron, 345th Bombardment Group. He went missing in action on November 27, 1943. He will be buried in Bridgeport, Ohio, on a date to be determined. Read about Reynolds.
--Army Air Forces 1st Lt. George W. Winger, 25, of Columbus, Ohio, was assigned to the 66th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force. He went missing in action on Aug. 1, 1943. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on a date to be determined. Read about Winger.

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