Final Honors for WWII MIA Soldier

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, WASHINGTON - World War II veteran Pfc. Bernard Gavrin, a former member of the New York Army National Guard’s 105th Infantry Regiment, is laid to rest with full military honors here September 12. Gavrin was listed as missing in action in Saipan following the July 7, 1944 infamous suicide attack by Japanese forces, considered the largest banzai attack of the war. Gavrin’s remains were recovered in September 2013 from an unmarked burial site by a Japanese non-governmental organization interested in recovering Japanese Soldiers from the battle in Saipan. The remains were handed over to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command which identified them as Pfc. Gavrin. Along with family members, former New York Army National Guard Soldiers of the 105th Infantry, including Lt. Cols. Michael Murphy and Christopher Panzer and Maj. Paul Hernandez. A wreath from the 27th Infantry Division Association and 105th Infantry Regiment was placed at Gavrin’s graveside. Photo by Maj. Paul Hernandez, New York Army National Guard.