Members of the Cox family, including the ensign’s brother, as well as members of the family of Ensign Howard Holding, who was killed in the same mission, were honored guests at the ceremony.
Yap Gov. Sebastian Anefal and Lt. Gov. Tony Tareg took part in the well-attended event.
Spearheaded by U.S.-based Missing Air-Crew Project and History Flight Organization and with the support of the Yap State Visitors Bureau and the Yap Departments of Public Works and Public Safety, the memorial recognizes the over 36 American planes shot down near Yap during the war and the 110 American men who remain missing in action.
In his remarks, Prahar stated that: “These individuals and organizations have teamed up to ensure that at long last there is a proper, permanent memorial to Ensign Joseph E. Cox and all the other men who lost their lives near Yap during World War II, some of whose remains have not yet been recovered.”
Prahar also said: “I can’t think of any greater honor for an American ambassador than to stand before the families of servicemen who have fallen in defense of freedom in order to recognize their service and to ensure that their sacrifice will not be forgotten.”
Speaking about those killed in Yap during the war, Prahar said that “those who knew these heroes personally carried with them throughout their lives the sacred memory of their beloved son, brother, husband, and father who gave his life so that others may live in peace and freedom…. I can also assure you that their sacrifice and the sacrifice of the other servicemen who died here have not been forgotten by the people of Yap.”
He quoted the American author James Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific”: “They will live a long time…. They had an American quality.”
Prahar also recognized Mark Mathow, the brother of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Steven G. Bayow who was killed in action in Iraq in 2005, and Robert Finniginam, father of Specialist Eric Finniginam, who was killed in action in Afghanistan on May 1st of this year.
Representing U.S. Navy Commander of the Marianas Rear Admiral Paul Bushong, Military and Civilian Affairs Cmdr. Gibb thanked FSM citizens who fight alongside U.S. citizens in the U.S. armed forces worldwide.
