WWII Airman Returned Home to Ohio After 82 Years

The remains of Staff Sergeant Clifford Grooms have arrived in Ohio for burial following a 2026 identification.

Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Military

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of an American flag draped over a geometric stone plinth, evoking somber military remembrance. — Staff Sergeant Clifford Grooms has returned to Ohio for burial 82 years after his B-24 Liberator was shot down during WWII. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Staff Sergeant Clifford Grooms has returned home to Ohio for burial 82 years after his B-24 Liberator was shot down off the Italian coast. More than 30 relatives gathered at John Glenn Columbus International Airport to receive his remains.

Why it matters

The identification by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency closes a decades-long search for the 21-year-old radio operator, who had been declared non-recoverable in 1949. His return honors a military commitment to account for all service members lost in combat.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency confirmed the identity of the remains on June 9, 2026. This follows the 1944 death of the 21-year-old airman and his 1949 status as non-recoverable.

The players

Clifford Grooms

He was a 21-year-old radio operator on a B-24 Liberator who served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.

Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

This Department of Defense organization is tasked with providing the fullest possible accounting for missing personnel from past conflicts.

Patriot Guard Riders

This national non-profit organization provides motorcycle escorts for fallen military heroes and veterans to ensure respectful processions.

The details

An honor guard transferred the casket to a vehicle at John Glenn Columbus International Airport on October 2, 2026. The Patriot Guard Riders then provided an escort for the remains via Interstate 270 and U.S. 23 toward Waverly.

January 30, 1944: Staff Sergeant Clifford Grooms died in a mission.
1949: Grooms was declared non-recoverable.
June 9, 2026: Remains were identified by the DPAA.
October 2, 2026: Remains arrived at John Glenn Columbus International Airport.
October 10, 2026: Burial with military honors will take place.

Political Context

This repatriation follows the long-standing mission of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency to bring home personnel lost in previous conflicts. The agency continues to face challenges regarding remains that have been historically deemed non-recoverable in deep water or remote sites.

The arrival of the remains and the subsequent funeral procession via U.S. 23 may impact local traffic flow near Waverly on October 10. Residents in Pike County can expect heightened security and an increased presence of official personnel near the cemetery site.

The takeaway

The successful identification after 82 years highlights the ongoing efforts of government agencies to fulfill promises to veterans and their families. This event offers a sense of closure for the surviving relatives who have waited decades for the return of their loved one.

What happens next

A visitation is scheduled for October 10, 2026, from 10 a.m. until noon, followed by a burial with full military honors at Mount Latham Cemetery in Pike County.