VFW Action Corps Weekly

VFW Visits Forward-Deployed Troops: The VFW is continuing its long tradition of visiting forward-deployed troops. VFW National Commander Tim Borland and VFW Washington Office Deputy Director Ryan Gallucci traveled to Camp Kościuszko, Poznan, Poland, to visit with U.S. service members and learn about the American mission supporting NATO allies amid tensions with Russia. “This Corps is in great hands,” said Borland speaking of V Corps and USAG –– Poland leadership who provide services and support to deployed service members. “I am very impressed with the esprit de corps in this unit.” The VFW views trips to visit deployed troops as an essential part of our mission so we can learn what our service men and women need in real time.

House Announces Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Members: The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs has announced its members. Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL), a Marine Corps veteran, will lead the committee as chairman. The former chairman, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) will assume the role of ranking member. The VFW has worked productively for years with both Chairman Bost and Ranking Member Takano in their previous roles, and we look forward to continuing that strong relationship. Other members of the committee, including many veterans, have been assigned to various subcommittee roles. Read more for a complete list of the members of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

VA Infrastructure Bill Introduced: Sen. Jon Tester (MT-D) has introduced VFW-supported S. 42, BUILD for Veterans Act of 2023. This legislation would streamline efforts to reduce the infrastructure backlog and improve the overall management of the capital asset programs of VA. “The BUILD for Veterans Act will require VA to develop and implement plans to remedy this infrastructure problem that has plagued VA for years,” said VFW National Legislative Director Pat Murray. The bill is cosponsored by Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Mark Warner (D-VA).

VFW Commemorates National Black History Month: The VFW celebrates our nation’s African American service members, veterans, and their families during National Black History Month. We salute them all for their indelible contributions to our freedom and way of life. Read more.

MIA Update:The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced two burial updates and two new identifications for service members who have been missing and unaccounted-for from World War II and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

-- Navy Warrant Officer Machinist Daryl H. Goggin, 34, of Everett, Washington, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits causing it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Goggin. He will be buried on Aug. 18, 2023, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) in Honolulu. Read about Goggin.
-- Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Porter M. Pile, 24, of Harlingen, Texas, was assigned to the 700th Bombardment Squadron, 445th Bombardment Group, 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force. On Sept. 27, 1944, he was serving as navigator on a B-24H Liberator bomber that was part of a large mission to bomb the industrial city of Kassel in northern Hesse, Germany. The formation encountered heavy resistance from enemy ground and air forces. Several of the crew were able to bail out, but witnesses did not report seeing Pile escape the aircraft. His body was not recovered, and he was never reported as a prisoner of war. The War Department issued a finding of death on Sept. 28, 1945. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia, on a date yet to be determined. Read about Pile.
-- Army Cpl. Donald L. Dupont, 22, was a member of B Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950, during battle with enemy forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Following the battle, his remains could not be recovered, and there was no evidence he was a prisoner of war. Interment services are pending. Read about Dupont.
--Army Air Forces 1st Lt. George W. Winger, 25, was assigned to the 66th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force. On Aug. 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft Winger was piloting was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and crashed during Operation Tidal Wave. His remains were not identified following the war. Interment services are pending. Read about Winger.

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