Daughters of the American Revolution seeking Dubois County family members of World War II MIA servicemembers
The Dubois County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is partnering with Indiana DAR chapters on “Enduring Promise,” a project honoring World War II MIA military members from Indiana and their families. These families have no closure for their loss, no grave to visit with flowers on special dates and an unknown outcome of their loved one’s life.
The project will place and dedicate personalized bricks honoring 1,500 World War II Hoosier Veterans who remain MIA and unaccounted. This is the last phase of a trilogy of Bricks of Honor, which Indiana DAR began and dedicated to Indiana’s MIAs.
The bricks are placed in the area surrounding the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, also known as Monument Circle, the center of the state of Indiana.
Each brick will bear the name of the MIA service member, their branch of service, rank, and date of loss. The World War II group of blocks will be placed next to those already honoring the 195 Indiana MIAs from the Korean War and the 51 MIAs from the Vietnam War.
In 2019, the National President of the POW/MIA League of Families spoke of the Enduring Promise Project, stating, “The Indiana program is unique, as no other state has a public location with personalized recognition of their state’s Missing in Action service members.”
A large public dedication ceremony is planned for September 2, 2026, during America’s semi-quincentennial year, the 81st anniversary of the signing of the Japanese surrender ending World War II. Based on the number of 1,500 Indiana MIAs from World War II compared to attendance at the brick dedication for the Korean and Vietnam War MIAs, it is anticipated there may be over 2,000 ceremony attendees at the September 2, 2026, dedication ceremony.
This is an extremely ambitious task the Indiana DAR Daughters are undertaking, at a projected cost of $150,000, and involves many components. DAR members cross the state are researching and locating family members of each of these brave World War II heroes. Dubois County DAR along with 82 other DAR chapters in the state of Indiana is participating in this endeavor to recognize and thank this unique group of American men.
Dubois County DAR is seeking the help of local citizens in locating family members of these World War II MIAs so their families are aware of the project and may begin planning to attend the 2026 dedication ceremony in Indianapolis. Anyone related to or has information on the family members of the six MIAs from Dubois County are asked to contact Paula Book at 812-639-3036 or pauladenisebook@gmail.com
Dubois County World War II Missing in Action
Max E. Dillard, Dubois, Navy, Ens, Pacific Ocean, 9/9/1943, United States Navy Reserves
Thomas J. Mazura, Navy, SM3, Philippine Islands, 10/26/1945, served on the Samuel B. Roberts, US Navy Reserve
William C. Menke, Huntingburg, Navy, LTJG, Puerto Rico, 1/7/1945, US Navy Reserve
Leroy U. Dischinger, Jasper, Navy, SEA1, North or Tyrrhenian Sea, 10/10/1944, served on the Buck, United States Navy Reserve
Oscar H. Schnaus, St. Anthony, Navy, SEA1, Ryukyus Islands, 4/7/1945, served on the Hancock, US Navy Reserve
Silas P. Rasche, Army, Pvt, Greenland, 2/3/1943, served on the USAT Dorchester, US Army
Dubois County DAR invites you to join us in paying tribute to the Dubois County’s World War II MIAs by contributing to the Enduring Promise Memorial, which will honor the 1,500 brave men who remain missing in action. Your generous donation will help ensure their sacrifice is remembered for generations to come.
Please send contributions to Dubois County Chapter, NSDAR, c/o Dubois County DAR Treasurer, Karen Adams, 311 West 36th Street, Jasper, IN 47546. For more information, contact Paula Book at 812-639-3036
Additionally, Dubois County DAR members are seeking information on the family members of eight Daviess County MIAs.
Daviess County World War II Missing in Action
Lowell K. Gray, Washington, Navy, MM3, Japan, 1/4/1946, served on the Pompano, US Navy Reserve
Charles O. Strange, Wahington, Navy, F2c, Hawaiian Islands, 12/7/1941, served on the USS Arizonia, US Navy
Malcom E. Burris, Army Air Force, S Sgt, Philippine Islands,7/8/1942, 7th Materials Squadron 5th Air Force Base Group
James N. Clauss, Army Air Force, Sgt, Brazil, 2/3/1943, 41st Squadron 12th Ferry Group
Maurice W. Robinson, Army Air Force, T Sgt, India, 12/11/1945, 436th Bombardment Squadron 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Thomas O, Rooney, Army Air Force, 2nd Lt, New Guinea, 6/1/1942, 36th Fighter Squadron 8th Fighter Group
Walter E. Buzan, Washington, Navy, SEA1, Gilbert Islands, 11/25/1944, served on the USS Liscome Bay, US Navy Reserve
William M. Dillon, Washington, Navy, SEA1, Japan, 5/25/1945, served on the Bates, US Navy Reserve
