Crapo Statement on Funeral for Recovered MIA World War II Servicemember from Lewiston

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) issued the following statement in honor of today's funeral for Lieutenant Allan Wesley Knepper, a World War II servicemember previously listed as Missing In Action (MIA), whose remains were finally identified and returned to his family.

"It is momentous that Lieutenant Knepper was finally laid to rest at home in Lewiston today. In this final chapter of his life, service and death, I solemnly honor his memory and legacy. He made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation in World War II, and his story is one of heroism. I remain resolute in my support for continued efforts to bring home all missing servicemembers--they are not forgotten."

2^nd Lt. Knepper at the time of his service. Photo provided by the DPAA.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced on July 11, 2024, it had accounted for 2^nd Lt. Knepper on August 10, 2023.

Lt. Knepper was a pilot with the 49^th Fighter Squadron, 14^th Fighter Group, in the North African and Mediterranean Theater of World War II. He was declared MIA on July 10, 1943, after his aircraft encountered anti-aircraft fire and crashed while battling enemy forces. The DPAA worked between 2015 and 2023 to research, investigate and excavate a crash site near Caltagirone, Italy, to positively identify Lt. Knepper's remains.

His interment with full military honors occurred at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 2, at Normal Hill Cemetery in Lewiston.

Senator Crapo has made an enduring commitment to account for those missing, including his sponsorship of the Bring Our Heroes Home Act, which would eliminate obstacles preventing families and caseworkers from accessing the records needed for recovering America's POWs and MIA.

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