SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- After being missing in action for over 70 years from the Korean War, U.S. Air Force Capt. Delbert D. Draskey was laid to rest with his family by his side, Oct. 17, 2023.
Draskey and 51 other Airmen and Soldiers were aboard the C-124 Globemaster II when it crashed into Mount Gannet, east of Anchorage, Alaska, on its approach to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Nov. 22, 1952.
The aircraft was operating in a no-visibility environment and using only its altimeter, stopwatch, and radio signal as guidance.
A nearby pilot recalls hearing through poor radio reception, “As long as we have to land, we might as well land here,” and the aircraft was never heard from again.
During his service, Draskey received the Air Force Longevity Service Award, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button.
The ceremony took place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Camulet City, Illinois. Draskey was buried with full military honors with Scott Air Force Base Honor Guard providing support.
Tech Sgt. Anthony Harris, Scott Air Force Base Honor Guard non-commissioned officer in charge, presented the folded American Flag to Draskey’s next of kin.
“It’s always awesome to be part of history like this, especially with the gravity of it being over 70 years since the crash,” said Harris. “It’s also satisfying and humbling to be able to present the flag to provide peace and closure, and give the final salute to Draskey and his family,” said Harris.
Master Sgt. Christopher Hammel, USAF Band of Mid-America trumpet player, played a rendition of Taps, a song played at military funerals and recognized by Congress as the national song of Remembrance.
The day prior, Draskey’s remains were flown from Baltimore to Chicago and were transferred to the mortuary vehicle by Scott Honor guardsmen.
The wreckage was first discovered in 2012, nearly 14 miles from where the aircraft originally crashed. An Alaska Army National Guard helicopter spotted a survival raft and dispatched a team to the site. The team collected items that were later determined to be from the aircraft crash.
The Joint Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command, whose mission is to achieve the fullest possible accounting of all Americans missing as a result of past conflicts, took over the recovery efforts.
Draskey’s family received a call in 2012 being made aware of the discovery of the crash site, it wouldn’t be until June of this year that Draskey’s remains would be positively identified.
Draskey’s remains were identified by his fingerprints. His wallet and military ID were also recovered and returned to his family.
The crash has birthed several books, such as Steve Scott’s, “The Longest Flight Home,” and Tonja Anderson-Dell’s “Gifts from a Glacier.”
Anderson-Dell also runs a Facebook page “Missing C-124 November 2022 1952.” The page is dedicated to ensuring the families of all 52 servicemembers receive closure and have their loved ones return home.
“Through this journey, the other families and I have become like family ourselves. When my grandfather returned home four years ago, the representatives of ten families were there waiting,” said Anderson-Dell. “I search for other flights with missing individuals and help those families as well; our crash gives them hope.”
Currently, 47 out of the 52 casualties have been positively identified. The fight continues to bring these heroes home. The legacy of Draskey and the 51 others lives not only in the hearts of their families and friends but also in the pages of books and news stories inspired by the tragic flight.
A Hero's Return: Capt. Delbert D. Draskey, MIA since 1952, laid to rest
Scott Air Force Base honor guardsmen fold the American Flag during a funeral ceremony for deceased Capt. Delbert Draskey, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, Illinois, Oct. 17, 2023. The funeral held deep importance for the Draskey family, offering them a sense of closure after seven decades of uncertainty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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A Hero's Return: Capt. Delbert D. Draskey, MIA since 1952, laid to rest
Scott Air Force Base honor guardsmen
transport the casket of deceased Capt.
Delbert Draskey during Draskey’s funeral
ceremony, at Holy Cross Cemetery in
Calumet City, Illinois, Oct. 17, 2023. Capt.
Draskey's service during the Korean War was
recognized with the Air Force Longevity
Service Award, the American Campaign
Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the
National Defense Service Medal, and the
Honorable Service Lapel Button. (U.S. Air
Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan
Simmons)
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A Hero's Return: Capt. Delbert D. Draskey, MIA since 1952, laid to rest
Scott Air Force Base honor guardsmen rehearse before the funeral ceremony for deceased Capt. Delbert Draskey at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, Illinois, Oct. 17, 2023. The funeral held deep importance for the Draskey family, offering them a sense of closure after seven decades of uncertainty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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A Hero's Return: Capt. Delbert D. Draskey, MIA since 1952, laid to rest
Scott Air Force Base honor guardsmen prepare their rifles before a funeral ceremony for deceased Capt. Delbert Draskey, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, Illinois, Oct. 17, 2023. The funeral service for Capt. Draskey underscored the enduring commitment of the U.S. military to bring closure to families affected by past conflicts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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A Hero's Return: Capt. Delbert D. Draskey, MIA since 1952, laid to rest
Scott Air Force Base honor guardsmen rehearse before the funeral ceremony for deceased Capt. Delbert Draskey at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, Illinois, Oct. 17, 2023. The Joint Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command played a crucial role in the recovery efforts and identification of Capt. Draskey's remains. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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A Hero's Return: Capt. Delbert D. Draskey, MIA since 1952, laid to rest
Scott Air Force Base honor guardsmen rehearse before the funeral ceremony for deceased Capt. Delbert Draskey at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, Illinois, Oct. 17, 2023. The Joint Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command played a crucial role in the recovery efforts and identification of Capt. Draskey's remains. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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A Hero's Return: Capt. Delbert D. Draskey, MIA since 1952, laid to rest
Scott Air Force Base honor guardsmen fold the American Flag during a funeral ceremony for deceased Capt. Delbert Draskey at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, Illinois, Oct. 17, 2023. The Scott Air Force Base Honor Guard played a central role in providing military honors during the funeral service. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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A Hero's Return: Capt. Delbert D. Draskey, MIA since 1952, laid to rest
U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Anthony Harris, Scott Air Force Base Honor Guard non-commissioned officer in charge, prepares for the arrival of Capt. Delbert Draskey’s remains during Draskey’s funeral ceremony at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, Illinois, Oct. 17, 2023. Draskey was one of 52 Airmen and soldiers aboard the C-124 Globemaster II that crashed into Mount Gannet near Anchorage, Alaska, on Nov. 22, 1952. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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A Hero's Return: Capt. Delbert D. Draskey, MIA since 1952, laid to rest
Scott Air Force Base honor guardsmen transport the casket of deceased Capt. Delbert Draskey during Draskey’s funeral, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, Illinois, Oct. 17, 2023. Draskey was one of 52 Airmen and soldiers aboard the C-124 Globemaster II that crashed into Mount Gannet near Anchorage, Alaska, Nov. 22, 1952. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)
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