Long Island WWII Veteran William Thomas Cleary Honored After 80 Years

Honoring a Fallen Hero

• 🎖️ First Lieutenant William Thomas Cleary, a United States Army Air Forces pilot in World War II, was honored with a full military ceremony at Calverton National Cemetery.
• 🎯 Cleary was shot down over the Adriatic Sea in December 1944 at the age of 21, and his remains, along with his crew, were never recovered.
• 📍 After nearly 81 years, a plaque now bears his name, granting him a place of peace on American soil among other heroes.

The Quest for Remembrance

• 🔍 Ellen Oaks, president of the Lake Ronkonkoma Heritage Association, dedicated five years to uncovering Cleary's story and ensuring his memory was honored.
• 📸 Oaks initially struggled to even find a picture of Cleary, highlighting how forgotten his story had become.
• 🤝 The ceremony was attended by strangers, drawn by gratitude and a shared belief in the importance of remembering servicemen and women.

Unaccounted For Heroes

• 🗺️ More than 81,000 U.S. service members remain unaccounted for from past conflicts, their remains unrecovered or unidentified.
• 🇺🇸 Veterans emphasize the profound importance of remembering these individuals, stating that their sacrifices built the nation and made it who it is today.
• 🏡 Cleary's return to his land on Long Island, as described by Oaks, signifies a spiritual homecoming for a hero lost at sea.