Service No. #288580

Date of Enlistment: 07/13/1940

Marine Detachment, USS OKLAHOMA(BB-37)

World War II Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties, 1941-1945, lists his Next of Kin's Home of Record as Parents: William & Marguerite Cremean, Rocky Ford, Colorado.

Date of Birth is what is listed on U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963 application for headstone or marker.

***I would like to thank William (Mister Bill) Todd Find A Grave ID46593286 for adding his photos to this memorial***

***I would like to thank Randy Buckner Find A Grave ID48437413 for adding his photo to this memorial***

***Many thanks to Sgt. Bellis - USMC Find A Grave ID48526889 for adding his photo, a corrected DOB, family member information as well as the information listed below to this memorial***

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PFC Alva J. Cremean. Cremean, 21, born in Pueblo, Colorado, was accounted for on August 14, 2018. In April 2015, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a policy memorandum directing the disinterment of unknowns associated with the USS Oklahoma. On June 15, 2015, DPAA personnel began exhuming the remains from the Punchbowl for analysis. To identify Cremean's remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and autosomal DNA (auSTR) analysis, anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. DPAA is grateful to the Department of Veterans Affairs for their partnership in this mission. Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war. Currently there are 72,866 (approximately 26,000 are assessed as possibly-recoverable) still unaccounted for from World War II. Cremean's name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Sgt. Bellis - USMC