We commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day sharing the deeply moving story of Second Lieutenant William Joseph McGowan.  The life of this young pilot ended on D-Day.  In 2019, his remains were located in a field in France by a team from Nova Scotia and then delivered to a lab in Omaha were he was finally identified after 75 years, missing in action.Emily Paulson, a former family history intern at Ancestry, now contributes her expertise as a contractor with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).  The mission of the DPAA is to “provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing military personnel to their families and the nation.”  There are more than 81,000 military personnel from World War II through the Gulf War still missing - nearly 72,000 of those from World War II alone.  Emily shares details about the massive, ongoing efforts to bring closure to families and honor the memories of those who paid the ultimate price.There is a heavy toll for the enduring hope for peace.DPAA Service Casualty Office_______________________________________________Please rate and review this podcast and then share it with your family and friends.For ideas on how to connect more deeply with your family through family stories, follow Crista on Instagram @CristaCowan.