WWII Medal of Honor Recipient Willibald Bianchi's Remains Identified After 80 Years

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has identified the remains of Capt. Willibald Charles Bianchi, a Medal of Honor recipient who died in 1945 as a prisoner of war during World War II in the Philippines. Bianchi showed extraordinary heroism during the defense of Bataan, where despite multiple wounds, he led attacks against Japanese machine gun nests and continued fighting until severely wounded. He survived the Bataan Death March and was later killed when U.S. planes mistakenly attacked the Japanese transport ship Enoura Maru holding POWs, including Bianchi. The identification was announced on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, highlighting the ongoing efforts to account for missing service members from World War II, with over 70,000 still unaccounted for from that conflict. Bianchi's remains will be returned to Minnesota for a proper burial, honoring his valor and sacrifice. His legacy is preserved and commemorated by military and veteran organizations, reflecting the nation's commitment to bring home its missing heroes.