Remains of teen sailor who helped rescue downed WWII airmen identified

U.S. Remains of teen sailor who helped rescue downed WWII airmen identified 8 decades after crash By Kerry Breen Kerry Breen News Editor Kerry Breen is a news editor at CBSNews.com. A graduate of New York University's Arthur L. Carter School of Journalism, she previously worked at NBC News' TODAY Digital. She covers current events, breaking news and issues including substance use. Read Full Bio Kerry Breen Updated on: May 1, 2026 / 12:24 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google A Navy radioman whose patrol plane crashed during World War II has been accounted for over 80 years after his death, military officials said Thursday. U.S. Navy Aviation Radioman 2nd Class Robert L. Cyr, Jr. enlisted at 17 and flew patrols in the Pacific, according to a news release from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. While on leave one year after his enlistment, he told a local newspaper that he had flown about 112,000 miles on patrol flights.  Cyr said that he had flown over Southern Pacific combat areas, including the Battle of the Solomon Islands. "Our regular job is to spot the enemy's position, course and pfrobable objective, and then get out of there if possible," Cyr told the paper, according to a clipping shared by the DPAA. Patrol members also rescued other fliers who had been forced down, he said, noting that "the natives are friendly" and would help hide U.S. troops from Japanese forces. In 1944, Cyr was assigned to Navy Patrol Squadron 91, the DPAA said. On January 22, the 19-year-old and eight other crew members were aboard a PBY-5 Catalina seaplane that crashed during takeoff near the present-day Republic of Vanuatu, in the South Pacific Ocean.  U.S. Navy Aviation Radioman 2nd Class Robert L. Cyr. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Three crew members survived the crash. Four were killed and their remains were found in the days that followed. Two airmen, including Cyr, were not recovered, and he was listed as missing in action. Cyr's name was...