Watch CBS News

Remains Of Minn. Airman Missing In WWII Identified

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The U.S. Department of Defense says a Minnesota airman who was missing in action in World War II will be buried with full military honors Wednesday at Arlington National Cemetery.

Officials say the remains of Army Air Forces Tech. Sgt. Robert L. Christopherson of Blue Earth were identified using DNA technology.

Christopherson was aboard a B-17E Flying Fortress that was shot down while on a bombing mission over Papau New Guinea in June 1943.

Nine crew members were missing in action. A 10th man survived and was held as a prisoner of war until September 1945.

Christopherson and three other crew members will be buried as a group in a single casket at Arlington. Five other crew members were previously identified and individually buried in 1985.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.