Remains of Winnipeg born WWII airman identified more than 7 decades after his death

WINNIPEG – The Department of National Defence has identified the remains of Second World War airman, Flight Sergeant John Joseph Carey.

Flight Sergeant Carey was the front air gunner for the Royal Air Force bomber Halifax BB214. The aircraft was shot down by enemy fighter aircraft over Laacher See, south of Bonn Germany, on August 28^th, 1942.

A team of German explosives disposal divers discovered the remains in 2008, while trying to assess the stability of the aircraft, but they could not be analyzed until a genetic donor was found in 2013.

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“The identification of the remains of Flight Sergeant Carey demonstrates to his family, and to all of us, that the ultimate sacrifice he made in the name of his country will not be forgotten,” said Minister of National Defence, Rob Nicholson. “ Our Canadian airman will finally be laid to rest with the military honour he so rightfully deserves.”

Flight Sergeant Carey was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on February 4, 1920. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force on May 31, 1940 in Ottawa, Ontario, and was a member of 103 Squadron.

He was 22 years of age at the time of his death.

His remains will be interred at Rheinberg War Cemetery in Rheinberg, Germany, on July 9^th, seventy-two years after his death.