World War II veteran Capt. Willibald Bianchi will finally return to his hometown of New Ulm, Minnesota, for burial more than 80 years after his death. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency confirmed that Bianchi’s remains, previously classified as unknown, have been identified. This announcement comes as a poignant closure for a soldier who exemplified exceptional bravery during one of the war’s darkest chapters.
Bianchi, who served in the U.S. Army, endured numerous hardships, including two chest wounds from enemy gunfire, the infamous Bataan Death March, and brutal conditions in prisoner-of-war camps. Tragically, he was killed when a second transport ship carrying POWs was mistakenly attacked by U.S. forces on January 9, 1945. His body was never recovered, leading to his name being inscribed on the Walls of the Missing at the American Cemetery in Manila, which honors over 37,000 missing soldiers.
This week, the agency announced that Bianchi’s remains were among approximately 300 sets of unidentified remains recovered in Taiwan in 1946. Initially buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, commonly known as Punchbowl in Hawaii, Bianchi’s remains were disinterred three years ago for further examination. Genetic testing confirmed his identity, and the results were shared with his family before being made public.
Bianchi’s burial is scheduled for May, a significant occasion as it will take place long after he left the United States in early 1941. At that time, he requested an assignment to the Philippines, joining the Philippine Scouts, a unit composed of Filipino soldiers under American command. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Japanese forces launched an offensive against U.S. troops in the Philippines.
By February 1942, Japanese troops had forced the U.S. and Philippine forces into a desperate stand on the Bataan Peninsula. During this time, Bianchi distinguished himself by leading a platoon to neutralize two enemy machine gun nests. Despite being wounded, he refused medical assistance, choosing instead to continue the fight. His actions during this engagement earned him the prestigious Medal of Honor, which was awarded posthumously to his mother, Carrie Bianchi, in 1945.
The harrowing conditions of the POW experience are underscored in Bianchi’s story. After being captured, he endured the infamous Bataan Death March, a brutal 65-mile trek where countless soldiers suffered and died from starvation, exhaustion, and abuse. Bianchi’s leadership during this time helped maintain morale among his fellow prisoners.
Bianchi’s ordeal continued on “hell ships,” where POWs were transported under inhumane conditions, often unmarked and unaware of their fate. Tragically, he was on a ship that was attacked by American planes, leading to his death at the age of 29. His mother, in her acceptance speech for the Medal of Honor, expressed her pride and sorrow, stating, “As a mother, I am proud to be able to give to this generation and to our beloved America the most precious gift that life makes possible, my only son.”
With Bianchi’s identification, 21 others who received the Medal of Honor for their actions during World War II remain unaccounted for. His story serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by service members and the importance of recognizing their valor long after the battles have ended. The upcoming burial will not only honor Bianchi’s life and sacrifice but will also bring closure to a chapter of history that has lingered for far too long.
