ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The remains of Army Air Corps Staff Sgt. John A. Pagliuso landed in Rochester and were transported to his hometown of Lyons on a procession route Wednesday.

Staff Sgt. Pagliuso was killed in action in October of 1942 during a bombing run over Papua, New Guinea. The crash site was found two years later, and his remains went unidentified until March 17, 2025. Pagliuso was listed as missing for more than 80 years, until a DNA match turned positive from his maternal niece and sister.

News 8 spoke with Pagliuso's niece Wednesday, who reflected on the closure this brings to the family.

"It's pretty emotional. I'm actually feeling like I'm grieving and mourning the loss of a loved one. At the Historical Society, they have a full binder of letters he wrote. I'm the olde

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