A Hero's Return: Capt. Delbert D. Draskey, MIA since 1952, laid to rest

Published Oct. 23, 2023
By Airman 1st Class De'Quan Simmons

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --

After being missing in action for over 70 years from the Korean War, U.S. Air Force Capt. Delbert D. Draskey was laid to rest with his family by his side, during a ceremony Oct. 17, 2023. — Scott Air Force Base honor guardsmen transport the casket of deceased Capt. Delbert Draskey during Draskey’s funeral, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, Illinois, Oct. 17, 2023. Draskey was one of 52 Airmen and soldiers aboard the C-124 Globemaster II that crashed into Mount Gannet near Anchorage, Alaska, Nov. 22, 1952. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)

After being missing in action since the Korean War, Capt. Delbert D. Draskey was laid to rest with his family by his side, Oct. 17, 2023, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, Illinois.

On the tragic day of Nov. 22, 1952, Draskey and 51 other Airmen and Soldiers aboard the C-124 Globemaster II were killed when it crashed into Mount Gannet, east of Anchorage, Alaska, on its approach to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Now, over seven decades since the crash, the search for Draskey is over, and his family was able to give him the send-off he rightfully deserved—with full military honor from the Scott Air Force Base Honor Guard.

"His mother never really accepted the fact that he wasn't with us anymore," said Rich Zielimski, Draskey's cousin, during an interview with CBS 2 News Chicago.

The explanation for the crash is due to difficulties faced by the piloting crew since the aircraft was operating in a no-visibility environment and using only its altimeter, stopwatch, and radio signal as guidance.

A nearby pilot recalls hearing through poor radio reception, “As long as we have to land, we might as well land here,” and the aircraft was never heard from again, according to Anchorage Daily News.

This changed, however, when the wreckage was discovered in 2012, nearly 14 miles from where the aircraft originally crashed. An Alaska Army National Guard helicopter spotted a survival raft and dispatched a team to the site. The team collected items that were later determined to be from the aircraft crash.

The Joint Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command, whose mission is to achieve the fullest possible accounting of all Americans missing due to past conflicts, took over the recovery efforts.

It wasn’t until June 2023 that Draskey’s remains would be positively identified.

Draskey’s remains were identified by his fingerprints, which were preserved by the freezing Alaska weather. His wallet and military ID were also recovered and returned to his family.

During the ceremony, Tech. Sgt. Anthony Harris, Scott Air Force Base Honor Guard non-commissioned officer in charge, presented the folded American flag to Draskey’s next of kin.

“It’s always great to be part of history like this, especially with the gravity of it being over 70 years since the crash,” said Harris. “It’s also satisfying and humbling to be able to present the flag to provide peace and closure and give the final salute to Draskey and his family.”

The ceremony provided the closure Draskey’s family has been seeking.

“The full military funeral honors provided meant so much to me because it showed that no matter if you passed away seven days ago or 70 years ago, we will still be there to provide a final ceremonial closure for all veteran, retired, and active duty members of the military,” said Airman 1st Class Michael Andrade, Scott AFB honor guardsman.

The crash has birthed books such as Tonja Anderson-Dell’s “Gifts from a Glacier.” Like the experience of many military families, the service of their loved ones bonds them together. This is even more prominent when military families experience loss together.

“Through this journey, the other families and I have become like family ourselves. When my grandfather returned home four years ago, the representatives of ten families were there waiting,” said Anderson-Dell. “I search for other flights with missing individuals and help those families as well; our crash gives them hope.”

Currently, 47 out of the 52 casualties have been positively identified. The fight continues to bring these heroes home. The legacy of Draskey and the 51 others lives not only in the hearts of their families and friends but also in the pages of books and news stories inspired by the tragic flight.

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