Military - WWII - Missing army members lost in Papua, New Guinea

[Virginia Foulk]

My brother and I, the last 2 direct family members for the Mickelson family, have each received a call and email concerning our uncle Sergeant Donald S. Mickelson who was reported missing on Nov. 30, 1942 - later changed to dead.  No body ever found.  The information that we have been given, is that a special recovery project is scheduled for the area and we have been asked to provide DNA that could be used if any evidence is found.  The report was copied - 41 pages - and includes letters from my grandmother and aunts requesting knowledge of when Donald's body could be returned. (My grandparents lost 2 sons within 6 months and it was very hard for them, when one boy was not found.)

And oh, both were immigrants - legal - from Norway and earned their way here and both worked very hard to maintain a strong family.  

Anyway, I never knew either uncle, Donald signed on in 1940 (when I was born).

My brother is digging further into this process (he was one of 30 men involved in decrypting messages from the enemy during the Korean War and he was given a commendation for his service.) This is something he would enjoy doing - digging and investigating..

I have a feeling that nothing will come of this project, but then who knows. I was first concerned about handing over my DNA (I have to do cheek swabs, one from each side and one with both sides.)  But what the heck. 

The paperwork does have some interesting tidbits - like a copy of telegram that discussed what was being carried out on Nov 30, 1942 and where the men were located - mopping up, was listed as one of the jobs and they were fighting Japs.    

Just thought this might be interesting to others here.   These two immigrants were God-fearing, hard-working family-oriented new citizens and learned the language (though they both had a good understanding when they came here.)  They respected our flag, and our national Anthem. And they participated in community projects. 

They became Americans - not Norwegian-Americans, AMERICANS!.