Burial at Arlington: Funeral Held For Charles Gardner, World War II Airman From San Francisco Who Died 70 Years Ago

A San Francisco military man who went missing in action during World War II was buried Thursday at Arlington National Cemetery, more than 70 years after his death.

Horses and honor guards accompanied the casket holding Air Force Sergeant Charles Gardner. He was buried with full military honors.

Gardner and 11 other crew members were shot down over New Guinea in WWII.

A search team located the plane in 2001. DNA was collected at the scene and matched against relatives, including Gardner's San Francisco nephew, Harvey March, Jr.

"Unfortunately, my parents can't be here, my deceased sister can't be here, but through that miracle of DNA comes this day,” March said.

Four crewmen on Gardner's plane parachuted safely but died after they were captured.

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