Remains of WWII soldier to be returned to Haskell County for burial

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced in a press release Tuesday that a soldier from Haskell who was killed in World War II has been accounted for.

Pfc. Class Orville J. Cox, 19, was a member of 34th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands in December 1941.

According to historical records, Cox died Feb. 8, 1942, during the Battle of the Points on the Bataan Peninsula near Agloloma Point. Casualties from the battle were buried at several cemeteries on the peninsula, including Mariveles No. 3 Cemetery.

In November 1945, American Graves Registration Service personnel exhumed 40 sets of remains from the American section of the cemetery. At the time, 17 individuals were identified, but 23 others remained as unknowns.

In subsequent analysis, five additional remains were identified, leaving 18 unknowns. Those remaining unknowns were buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.

In December 2022, DPAA personnel exhumed remains from the cemetery, including those believed to be Cox, and sent them for analysis.

Scientists used dental, anthropological and mitochondrial DNA analysis to identify Cox, who will be buried in Haskell at a future date.

DPPA said in the release that Cox’s grave was meticulously cared for over the past 70 years by the American Battle Monuments Commission, along with others still missing from WWII. Cox is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at MACM and a rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Cox had graduated from rural Paint Creek High School in 1940 and enlisted in the Army Air Corps as a mechanic in Gen. Douglas MacArthur's forces, according to newspaper articles at the time.

Cox will be buried in Haskell on a date to be determined. Family and funeral information will be available at the Army Casualty Office at (800) 892-2490.