Bill > HR338

This resolution honors the life and legacy of William J. McMichael, a United States Army Air Forces Warrant Officer from Boyertown, Berks County, who served during World War II. McMichael enlisted in the Army Air Forces at 17 in 1922, reenlisted in 1932, and was stationed in the Philippines when Japanese forces attacked in December 1941. After enduring the infamous Bataan Death March and becoming a prisoner of war at Cabanatuan prison, he tragically died on January 9, 1945, when a transport ship carrying prisoners was mistakenly attacked by US carrier planes. His remains were initially buried in a prisoner of war site in Formosa (now Taiwan), and were finally disinterred in 2017, identified through DNA testing in 2025, and returned to Berks County with full military honors. The resolution acknowledges McMichael's Bronze Star and recognizes his sacrifice, while also highlighting the broader context that approximately 72,000 World War II service members and 81,000 total service members remain missing in action. The House of Representatives expresses condolences to his family and commends the efforts to recover and return his remains.

https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hr338