DNA Evidence
The Army was forced to use DNA analysis to identify some of the bodies conclusively. especially in cases when dental evidence was incomplete. Pete was among those requiring DNA analysis comparing bone from his femur and a blood test from his then living brother, Jack, who died before the results were reported.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
ARMED FORCES INSTITUTE OF PATHOLOY
WASHINGTON DC 20306-6000
REPLY TO AFIP Accession No. 2481885-0/01
IDENTIFCATION OF OWENS, Peter S. SN# 12023894
Office of the Armed Forces CJ'LH! Case Nos. 0174-93/0173-93
Medical Examiner (40-31a) AFDIL Case Nos. 9SH-015/97H-037
Commander
U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory 31 July 1997
Fort Kamehameha, Building 45
Hickam AFB, HI 96853-5000
CONSULTATION REPORT ON CONTRIBUTOR MATERIAL
Report Summary
a. This is a report of mitochondrial that involves a World War Two-era loss and a comparison to twelve blood references representing eleven families presumed to be associated with the remains.
b. Previous reports and data summaries provided sequence information for Samples A through I from CILHI Case No. 0174-93 (AFDIL Case No. 95H-015) and for Samples C-0 from CILH! Case No. 0173-93 (AFDIL Case No. 97H-03-7). No sequence information was provided for Samples A and B from CILHI Case No. 0173-93 (AFDIL Case No. 97H-037).
C. The mtDNA sequence information obtained from the specimens listed below is consistent with the mtDNA sequence information obtained from John V. Owens, a known maternal relative of Peter S. Owens.
CILHI Case No./ CILH! Sample No./
0174-93/95H-015 A/O'LA L. Femur
0173-93/97H-037 I//09A Tooth #29
OAFME-DNA 31 July 1997
SUBJECT: Consultation Report
AFIP Accession No. 2481885-0/01 CILHI Case Nos. 0174-93/0173-93 AFDIL Case Nos. 95H-015/97H-037
AFIP
Date Specimen Accession No.
12 October 1995 Whole Blood 2515515-1
18 October 1995 Whole Blood 2515512-8
18 October 1995 Whole Blood 2515522-7
1 November 1995 Whole Blood 2518192-6
5 December 1995 Whole Blood 2526602-4
22 November 1996 Whole Blood 2566520-9
3. Methods
DNA is extracted from selected specimens. Multiple copies of a specific region of mtDNA are generated using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This region is known to have variability within the human population. The predominant base composition (or sequence) is determined using automated DNA sequencing chemistry and gel electrophoresis. The base composition consists of adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T). Sequence information is analyzed to determine variability when compared to a published standard sequence (Anderson, et al. 1981. ATature 290:457-465) that is presented as "Standard." The sequence of the submitted evidentiary material is compared to the sequence obtained from the references).
OAFME-DNA 31 July 1997
SUBJECT: Consultation Report
AFIP Accession No. 2481885-0/01 ,,--ILH! Case Nos. 0174-93/0173-93 AFDIL Case Nos. 95H-015/97H-037
Appendix A. Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Results
Hypervariable Region One
16030 16040 16050 16060 16070
TTCTTTC ATGGGGAAGC AGATTTGGGT ACCACCCAAG TATTGACTCA Standard
------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- L.Femur/A
------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Tooth#29/I
------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- J.Owens
16080 16090 16100 16110 16120
CCCATCAACA ACCGCTATGT ATTTCGTACA TTACTGCCAG CCACCATGAA Standard
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- L.Femur/A
--------- ---------- ---- --- - ------ Tooth#29/I
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- J. Owens
16130 16140 16150 16160 16170
TATTGTACGG TACCATAAAT ACTTGACCAC CTGTAGTACA TAAAAACCCA Standard
L.Femur/A
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Tooth#29/I
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- J. Owens
explained16180 16190 16200 16210 16220
ATI@-CACAT'--A AAACCCCCTC CCCATGCTTA CAAGCAAGTA CAGCAATCAA Standard
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- L.Femur/A
Tooth#29/I
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- J. Owens
16230 16240 16250 16260 16270
K--CCTCAACTA TCACACATCA ACTGCAACTC CAAAGCCACC CCTCACCCAC Standard
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- T --------- L.Femur/A
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- T --------- Tooth#29/I
----- ---- ---------- ---------- T --------- J. Owens
16280 16290 16300 16310 16320
TAGGATACCA ACAAACCTAC CCACCCTTAA CAGTACATAG TACATAAAGC Standard
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- L.Femur/A
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Tooth#29/I
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- J. Owens
explained
16330 16340 16350 16360
CATTTACCGT ACATAGCACA TTACAGTCAA ATCCCTTCTC GTCCC Standard
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----- L.Femur/A
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----- Tooth#29/I
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----- J. Owens
explained
Hypervariable Region Two
80 90 100 110 120
ATGCACGC GATAGCATTG CGAGACGCTG GAGCCGGAGC ACCCTATGTC Standard
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- L.Femur/A
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Tooth#29/I
-------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -- ------- J. Owens
explained
130 140 150 160 170
GCAGTATCTG TCTTTGATTC CTGCCTCATC CTATTATTTA TCGCACCTAC Standard
- -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- L.Femur/A
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---- ------ Tooth#29/I
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --- ------ J. Owens
explained180 190 200 210 220
GTTCAATATT ACAGGCGAAC ATACTTACTA AAGTGTGTTA ATTAATTA-AT Standard
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- L.Femur/A
------ --- --- -------- Tooth#29/I
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- J. Owens
explained
23 0 24 0 2 5 0 2 6 0 2 7 0
GCTTGTAGGA CATAATAATA ACAATTGAAT GTCTGCACAG CCACTTTCCA Standard
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- C--------- L.Femur/A
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- G ------- Tooth#29/I
----- ------- ---- --- G ------- J. Owens
explained
2 8 0 2 9 0 3 00 3 10 3 2 0
CACAGACATC ATAACAAAAA ATTTCCACCA AACCCCCCC*T CCCCC*GCTTC Standard
---------- ---------- ---------- --------- c- --.---C ----- L.Femur/A
---------- ---------- ---------- --------- c - ----- C-N--N Tooth#29/I
----- - ---- ------ c - ----- c ----- J. Owens
explained
3 3 0 3 4 0
TGGCCACAGC ACTTAAACAC Standard
---------- ---------- L.Femur/A
--- N ------ ---------- Tooth#29/I
---------- ---------- J. Owens
DNA is extracted from selected specimens. Multiple copies of a specific region of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are generated using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This region is known to have variability within the human population. The predominant base composition (or sequence) is determined using automated DNA sequencing chemistry and gel electrophoresis. The base composition consists of adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T). Sequence information is analyzed to determine variability when compared to a published standard sequence (Anderson, et al. 1981. Nature 290:457-465) that is presented as "Standard." The sequence of the submitted evidentiary material is compared to the sequence obtained from the references).
A dashed line indicates base positions that are identical to the published standard sequence. The following notations may apply:
a. Transition or transversion polymorphisms are designated by the appropriate letter (base).
b. A deletion is designated by a "D."
C. An insertion is designated by an asterisk (*) within the standard sequence.
i. The specific base insertion is designated by the appropriate letter.
ii. Polycytosine stretches are often difficult to interpret. A possible cause may be the presence of a mixture of length variants in the mtDNA of an individual. A predominant length species is often apparent; however, the frequency of a particular length species cannot be determined accurately and may vary between maternal relatives. The sequence reported for Hypervariable Region 1 represents the first 10 cytosines observed, beginning at position 16184. The sequence reported for Hypervariable Region 2 represents the number of cytosines present'in the predominant base sequence. When no predominant base sequence is observed, the insertions that could not be confirmed are designated by a 'IN."
d. A position that could not be confirmed is designated by a "N."
e. The absence of any notation represents sequence that could not be obtained.
23 June 1998
See supporting anthropology reports.
CASUALTY DATA RESEARCH/ANALYSIS ASSOCIATED WITH
B-17F/TAIL NUMBER: 42-24552
On 15 September 1943 a B-17F aircraft, tail number 42-24552., piloted by First Lieutenant Howard G. EBERLY was returning from a strike mission over Lae, Southeastern Australian New Guinea. The aircraft approached the Owen Stanley Mountains, then peeled up and out to the left from the formation to avoid a thunderhead. Line of sight contact with the aircraft was lost. Efforts were made to contact Ist Lt EBERLY by radio, but no contact was ever established. Searches were conducted on the 15th and 16th of September, however, neither the aircraft nor any of its crew were found.
The entire crew was reported missing in action as of 15 September 1943 and presumed dead as of 16 September 1944.
On 09 October 1992 the United States Army Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii (CILHI) received a message (DTG 090639Z OCT 92) from CMSGT Paul M. Bell, US Defense Attach6 Office, Port Moresby. The message reported the discovery of a World War 11 (WWII) aircraft crash site by Mr. David C. Beebe. Mr. Beebe is a pilot for Pacific Helicopter in Wau. The aircraft was located in the mountains near the Watut River. The report stated that an identification bracelet inscribed with "Howard EBERLY" and several remains were found at the site. The aircraft was so badly broken up that its specific type could not be identified.
CILHI taxed an Incident/Site Information Request Form through CMSGT Bell to Mr. Beebe on 16 October 1992. Mr. Beebe returned the completed Site Information Request Form on 10 November 1992. The form reported the discovery of an ID tag inscribed with "EDGAR L, TOWNSEND JR." Using the available information Mr. Beebe provided, Casualty Data queried the Missing Air crew Report (MACR) Database. MACR #648 described a B- I 7F Flyino, Fortress, tail number 42-24552, assigned to the 43rd Bomber Group. The aircraft had an assigned crew of eleven personnel. The MACR listed Howard G. EBERLY as the pilot and Edgar L. TOWNSEND as the co-pilot. The B-17F aircraft and crew were reported lost due to bad weather on 15 September 1943 near Wau. The crew is listed as Missing in Action/Body not Recovered (MIA/BNR). The eleven crewmen's Individual Deceased Personnel Files (293 Files) were ordered. The 293 files were reviewed and made available to the laboratory.
CILHI deployed a Search and Recovery team to conduct an investigation and excavation of the site from 04 August 1993 through 03 September 1993. The excavation resulted in the recovery of numerous remains and personal effects. The personal effects included four ID tags., one ID bracelet, and three rings with engraving in each. The ID tags and bracelet provided three name associations: HOWARD G. EBERLY, EDGAR L. TOWNSEND JR, and WATSON C. HALL.
On 20 September 1993 CILHI received the WWII skeletal remains and artifacts from the CILHI team. The remains and artifacts were examined and assigned processing numbers.
CILHI 0173-93 and 0174-93.
Table 1: INFORMATION CONCERNING AIRCRAFT LOSS (AT TIM[E OF INCIDENT)
AIRCRAFT: B-17F TAILNT BER: 42-24552
DATE OF MISSION: 15 September 1943 MACR NUMBER: 648
LOCATION: UTM G.C. 55M DM 6360 7516 (Determined by Recovery Team)
DISTRICT: Upper Watut River
PROVINCE: Marobe
COUNTRY: Southeastern Australia, New Guinea
NUMBER ON BOARD: 11
UNIT OF AIRCRAFT: 65th Bomb Squadron, 43rd Bomb Group
POSITION ON
AIRCRAFT NAME AND RANK SN STATUS
EBERLY, Howard G.
Pilot I st Lt, USAAC 0-662764 MIA
TOWNSEND, Edgar L.
Co-Pilot 2d Lt, USAAC 0-799101 MIA
STACY, George L.
Navigator 2d Lt, USAAC 0-804891 MIA
RANKER, Charles E.
Bombardier 2d Lt, USAAC 0-738729 MIA
DOTSON, Delmar (NMI)
Engineer T Sgt, USAAC 6941704 MIA
MESSER, Jennings B.
Ass't Engineer Sgt, USAAC 15040321 MIA
FERRAIOLO, Joseph (NMI)
Radio Operator S Sgt, USAAC 11041353 MIA
McCARTNEY, Theodore J.
Gunner S Sgt, USAAC 33290785 MIA
HALL, Watson C.
Gunner S Sgt, USAAC 34389661 MIA
JINGOZIAN, Arthur (NMI)
Gunner Sgt, USAAC 31036871 MIA
OWENS, Peter S.
Photographer T Sgt, USAAC 12023894 MIA
__________________________
Roger W. LovelessRichard B. Huston
Casualty Data Officer
_____________________________
Copyright 2000, Peter V. Owens
Last revised, Feb. 22, 2000