World War II S/Sgt.’s remains welcomed home after almost a century

  In August of 2021, American military officials were informed that a World War II veteran’s remains had been accounted for more than 78 years after a deadly plane crash in Romania. On Friday, April 1, 2022, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Staff Sgt. Charles G. McMackin’s remains finally landed on American soil at Boston Logan Airport. Following the flight, a procession drove through Revere, passing McMackin Field on Winthrop Avenue and stopped at Revere City Hall, where Revere Police Officers, State Police Officers, Revere Firefighters, elected officials and residents paid their respects. Mayor Brian Arrigo presented a citation to his relatives. Veterans Service Officer Marc Silvestri was instrumental in coordinating this long overdue welcome home.

  McMackin was a Revere resident and the bombardier on a B-24 Liberator that participated in Operation Tidal Wave on Aug. 1, 1943, a massive bombing mission against the oil fields and refineries at Ploiesti, Romania, considered crucial to the Nazi war effort, reportedly. His plane crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft fire, and his remains were not identified following the war. His plane crashed into a farm in Romania – the owner of the farm found the remains and buried the bodies as a sign of respect. Because of this act of kindness, the Staff Sgt.’s remains stayed incredibly well-preserved. Following the war, the body was moved to a Belgian cemetery for American remains, where they would later be found.