From DPAA
Staff Sgt.
Gerald R. Helms
In 2015, DPAA historians began working on a comprehensive research
and recovery project focused on those missing from Operation MARKET GARDEN, but
none of the disinterred remains could be identified as Helms. However, in
October 2019, a Dutch citizen digging a trench in the front yard of a home in
Katerbosch came upon human remains and military artifacts. The Royal
Netherlands Army’s Recovery and Identification Unit (RIU) excavated the site on
Oct. 30. They conducted a full anthropological analysis of the remains and
historical analysis of the material items, including Helms’ identification
tags, and recovery location. The RIU concluded the remains belonged to Helms.
These remains and evidence were then transferred to the DPAA Laboratory at
Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for further examination and identification.
Good news!
ReplyDeleteThe DPAA site says SSG Helms was on a solitary reconnaissance when he disappeared. He probably had a good reason for going alone -- trusted his own senses and experiences, knew what he wanted to do without having to give instructions, didn't want to risk anybody else's life. All good reasons to an NCO.
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