A member of a storied group of jungle fighters who etched their way into the history books during combat in the China-Burma-India Theater in World War II is set to be welcomed by relatives in Walnut Creek Friday – 80 years after falling during a fierce battle for the Japanese stronghold of Myitkyina in Burma.
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Herman J. Sundstad was 27 when he was killed in action June 5, 1944, during the Battle of Myitkyina, but his body was not immediately recovered due to battlefield conditions, according to information released by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. The agency, detailed with recovering and identifying the nation’s war dead, positively identified Sundstad’s remains on June 24, but did not release information until his family was fully briefed on the identification process.
Sundstad was originally from Perley, Minn., which lies near the state’s border with North Dakota. His daughter lives in Walnut Creek.
Merrill’s Marauders — officially the 5307th Composite Unit Provisional and commanded by Brig. Gen. Frank Merrill — were tasked with capturing the Japanese-held airfield at Myitkyina in northern Burma, which they did on May 17, 1944. To reach the airfield, the unit made a 1,000-mile trek over the Himalayan foothills, through jungles and stiff enemy resistance. Disease, exhaustion, malnutrition and the enemy winnowed them down from roughly 3,000 men to barely 200 by the time they seized the airfield. Sundstad was killed in the subsequent battle to capture the town.
Procession Details:
Friday evening, November 8th, 2024
Planeside Honors (Family only) upon arrival at Oakland International Airport
Estimated time of departure from the airport is about 5:30pm.
Route from Oakland International Airport:
880 N to 24 eastbound
Exit Mt. Diablo Bl. (Est. 6:15-7pm)
North on N. Main St. to Oak Hills Chapel
Community members and visitors are invited to render civilian honors from the sidewalks lining N. Main St between Mt. Diablo Bl. And Civic Dr.
What a story.
What a story is right. God bless U.S. Army 1st Lt. Herman J. Sundstad and many others. I can only imagine the emotions of his daughter. I’m glad we got him back, I needed this.
Pretty good Samuel Fuller movie on the unit available for streaming. Merrill’s Marauders. A few minor mistakes but they get the big picture right.