[PGR_PA_r12] First Lieutenant Richard William Horrigan USA Air Force / 24 & 26 June 2022 / ​Moon, PA & Chester, WV

[PAPGR Vet Rep West]

 *First Lieutenant Richard William Horrigan*
*U.S. Army Air Force*

*WWII *

*24 & 26 June 2022*

*Moon, PA / Chester, WV*


The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to escort First Lieutenant
Richard William Horrigan from Pittsburgh International Airport to Arner
Funeral Chapel in Chester, West Virginia.

Richard, Pilot in a P-47D "Razorback" Thunderbolt with the 22nd Fighter
Squadron, 36th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force serving in Kolsa, Falkenburg /
Elster, Brandenburg, Germany, assigned to Armed Reconnaissance Mission to
the Alt Lönnewitz Airfield crashed while strafing enemy planes parked
likely due to anti-aircraft fire on the 19th of April in 1945.

Richard's Wingman witnessed the crash but because the Airfield was behind
enemy lines, Richard could not be recovered. Once sufficient evidence
became available that Richard had not survived, a Report of Death was
issued in November of 1945.

The American Graves Registration Command (AGRC) was charged with recovering
the remains of Fallen Service Members in the European Theater following the
war. Because Alt Lönnewitz Airfield was under strict control of Soviet
forces, they could not investigate Richard's crash.

A German National was able to investigate on behalf of the AGRC in 1953
confirming through an eyewitness human remains had been seen at the crash.
However, they were never recovered and buried. Because the AGRC was not
allowed to investigate the site, Richard was declared non-recoverable, the
month of October in 1953.

In 2004, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, a DPAA Predecessor in
conjunction with third-party researchers investigating the site was
approved for excavation in 2006. However, important site and logistical
information was missing and a recovery team was not sent out.

In March of 2017, a DPAA investigation team returned to the site and
located what they believed was Richard's aircraft. June of 2019, DPAA
contracted History Flight, Inc., a nonprofit organization to excavate the
site. They recovered material evidence and possible remains that were
initially transferred to the Police in Herzberg, Germany before being sent
to the DPAA Laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base Bellevue, Nebraska for
analysis in August of 2019.

To identify Richard’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and
anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial and material evidence.
Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used
mitochondrial DNA, Y chromosome DNA, and autosomal DNA analysis.

Richard's name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at the
Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission
site in Hombourg, Belgium, along with the others still missing from World
War II.
A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate, First Lieutenant
Richard Horrigan has been accounted for.

Decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.

Richard served our country with honor, it's now our turn to honor him.


*Friday, 24 June 2022*


*Staging:* 9:45 AM
*Sheetz *
9002 University Blvd, Moon Twp, PA
https://goo.gl/maps/QmqFMfivwnEmJTUF8

*Briefing:* 10:00 AM

*KSU: * 10:15 AM
*Predetermined area at Pittsburgh Airport*

*Briefing: *10:30 AM

* Flag Line established for Dignified Transfer: TBD*

* KSU, Escort to Chester, WV (approximately 25 miles) immediately following
the Dignified Transfer: *
*Arner Funeral Chapel*
607 Carolina Ave,Chester, WV 26034
https://goo.gl/maps/16UJmHyPYCGGJhLT8




*PGRPA RCIC: Jim Shaw*
jeshaw at comcast.net
(412) 217-5967

*PGRPA Assisting:** Tom McEnteer *
mcenteers at aol.com
(724) 255-5507

*PGRWV Ride Captain: Susan Whitlatch *
starr6562 at gmail.com
(304) 559-3093

* PGRWV Assisting:** Pat Dawson*
pdawson1110 at yahoo.com
(304) 871-6427


*Mission Part 2, Funeral Service and Escort*


*Sunday, 26 June 2022*

*Staging:* 1:00 PM
*Arner Funeral Chapel*
607 Carolina Ave,Chester, WV 26034
https://goo.gl/maps/16UJmHyPYCGGJhLT8

*Briefing: *1:15 PM

*Flag Line: *1:30 PM

*KSU for Escort:* 2:30 PM
*Locust Hill Cemetery*
Locust Hill Rd, Chester, WV 26034
https://goo.gl/maps/KRSm9nAwDftWcD4J7


*PGRWV Ride Captain:** Pat Dawson*
pdawson1110 at yahoo.com
(304) 871-6427


* Members can attend all of a mission or any part of the mission. PGR sets
no time for a member to escort and or stand a mission. We Thank you for
whatever time you give us and the families of our heroes appreciate your
time.*


*Before heading out please check the weather, dress accordingly and bring
your 3x5 handheld American Flags.*
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