Joe Fleming

Joe Fleming is a digital editor and occasional reporter for Stars and Stripes. From cops and courts in Tennessee and Arkansas, to the Olympics in Beijing, Vancouver, London, Sochi, Rio and Pyeongchang, he has worked as a journalist for three decades. Both of his sisters served in the U.S. military, Army and Air Force, and they read Stars and Stripes.

fleming.joe@stripes.com

NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (May 19, 2024) - Sailors man the rails of Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) as it ends a seven month deployment and returns to homeport Naval Station Mayport. USS Carney (DDG 64) returns to Naval Station Mayport after a deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steven Khor/Released)

USS Carney arrives home at last and is awarded the Navy Unit Commendation

The USS Carney is home at last after nearly eight months deployed to the Middle East. On arrival in Mayport, Fla., Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro awarded the Carney the Navy Unit Commendation.

U.S Air Force Lt. Col. John Campion, executive officer for U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, prepares to begin a Distinguished Flying Cross ceremony at Voas-Lackey Roundabout, Hurlburt Field, Fla. , May 16, 2024. U.S. Air Force Maj. Randell Voas, a CV-22B Osprey pilot, and Senior Master Sgt. James Lackey, a CV-22B flight engineer, were awarded the DFC for actions taken during a combat mission near Qalat, Afghanista, April 9, 2010.

Air Force presents posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross medals to 2 air commandos killed in crash in 2010

U.S. Air Force Maj. John C.G. Kerr, 35, of Florida and U.S. Army Cpl. Richard Seloover, 17, of Illinois.

Remains of Korean War soldier, Vietnam War pilot identified

From left, U.S. Army Pfc. Lawrence H. Williams, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Harold A. Schafer and Seaman 1st Class James W. Holzhauer. (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency)

Remains of WWII, Korean War troops identified; they will be buried with full military honors

Coast Guard rescues 2 distressed boaters near Hopedale, La.

The Coast Guard found and rescued two stranded boaters Saturday near Hopedale, La., the service said in a news release.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Calhoun (WMSL 759) goes aboard the ship following its commissioning ceremony in North Charleston, South Carolina, April 20, 2024. The Calhoun, which is named for the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, Charles Calhoun, was commissioned into service as the 10th National Security Cutter. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Nick Ameen)

Coast Guard commissions newest national security cutter Calhoun, named for service’s first master chief petty officer

The U.S. Coast Guard commissioned its newest cutter, the USCGC Calhoun (WMSL 759), on Saturday at Coast Guard Base Charleston, S.C. It is named for the first master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard, Charles L. Calhoun.

Two United States Air Force Demonstration “Thunderbirds” F-16 Fighting Falcons perform an aerial demonstration during the Charleston Airshow at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, April 20, 2024. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christian Silvera)

Thunderbirds highlight air show at Joint Base Charleston

Thousands of spectators trained their eyes to the sky on Saturday for Day 1 of the Charleston Airshow at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. The show continues Sunday.

Spc. Jayla Mathis shares a laugh with her mom, Jaymie Mathis, during a welcome home ceremony for the 54th Quartermaster Company April 12, 2024, at the Family Life Center on Fort Gregg-Adams, Va.

Fort Gregg-Adams soldiers return from 9 months in Middle East

Soldiers from the 54th Quartermaster Company at Fort Gregg-Adams, Va., returned home Friday after nine months in the Middle East.

Soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own”, conduct military funeral honors with funeral escort for U.S. Army Air Forces Sgt. Irving Newman in Section 4 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Apr. 11, 2024.

From a news release from Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA):

In May 1943, Newman was assigned to the 343d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force, in the European Theater. On May 6, Newman along with the other nine crew members of a B-24D Liberator were participating in a bombing mission of Reggio di Calabria harbor, in Sicily. While heading to the target, their plane began experiencing engine trouble forcing the pilots to make a course correction away from the main bomber group, directly into enemy anti-aircraft fire. During an emergency landing the plane caught fire and crashed into the water near Benghajsa Point, Malta, injuring at least five crew members. Nine airmen survived the incident, but Newman was not able to be rescued and his remains were not recovered following the war.

Following the war, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC), Army Quartermaster Corps, was the organization tasked with recovering missing American personnel in the European Theater. In 1949, a board of officers reviewed the AGRS field investigations for 82 personnel missing from the Mediterranean area, including Newman. The board recommended the individuals be designated non-recoverable. The Identification Branch of the Office of the Quartermaster General approved the recommendation on September 6, 1949.

In recent years, the University of Malta and a private company located the wreckage of a B-24D near Benghajsa Point, Malta, at a depth of 180 feet. Beginning in 2018, a partner organization supported by DPAA archaeology recovered material evidence, life support equipment, and suspected human remains from this crash site.

To identify Newman’s rem

Army Air Forces sergeant, killed during WWII, buried with full military honors at Arlington Cemetery

The remains of U.S. Army Air Forces Sgt. Irving R. Newman, killed in action in 1943, were buried with full military honors Thursday at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

This undated photo shows the sign for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. Coast Guard nondisclosure agreements should not stop service members from cooperating with investigations into the sexual misconduct scandal at its academy after some senators claimed the agreements have hindered them from attaining information, service leaders said in a memo reinforcing the policy.

Coast Guard Academy disciplines 55 cadets for distributing answers to homework assignments

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy cracked down on 55 cadets who were caught distributing answers “via electronic means” for two assignments, according to an academy news release.

Renovations at Army’s Michie Stadium to begin April 15

An upgrade to Army’s historic Michie Stadium, with the goal of improving the experience for fans and the Corps of Cadets, is set to begin Monday.

Blue Angels highlight Beyond the Horizon Air and Space Show at Maxwell AFB

The Navy Blue Angels were the featured performers during the weekend at the Maxwell Air Force Base Beyond the Horizon Air and Space Show.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform during The Great Texas Airshow April 6, 2024, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The Thunderbirds perform for audiences around the world displaying the pride, precision, and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ismael Ortega)

Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph hosts thousands for air show featuring the modern and the classic

An estimated 80,000 spectators were on hand for The Great Texas Airshow on Saturday at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.

32nd Wreaths Across America Day in Section 33 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Dec. 16, 2023. On this day, more than 30,000 volunteers placed approximately 260,000 wreaths at every gravesite and niche column at Arlington National Cemetery. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)

WWII soldier killed in bombing mission in 1943 to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery

The remains of U.S. Army Air Forces Sgt. Irving R. Newman, killed in action in 1943, will be interred Thursday at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

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