The Maj James O’Donovan Story
Following the surrender, the fate of Major O’Donovan was unknown and his official status was Missing in Action. His wife had reason to hope, based on news reports, that he was alive, a POW of the Japanese. Sadly, bad news trickled in year after year. The first news came in March, 1943 when the US Gov’t confirmed that MAJ O’Donovan was reported to be a POW of the Japanese (17 months after his death). Four months later his wife received a telegram informing her that he died a Prisoner of the Japanese. In the years that followed, correspondence was sent regarding the efforts of the Government to recover the remains of Major O’Donovan. Finally in 1952, Ten years after his death, a letter arrived summarizing their findings:
”MORE” “It is with deep regret that your government finds it necessary to inform you that further search and investigation have failed to reveal the whereabouts of your husband’s remains. Since all efforts have been unsuccessful, it has been necessary to declare that his remains are not recoverable” This statement leaves out much that was known, but shamefully covered up until 50 years later. Declassified records show that MAJ O’Donovan was buried singly by fellow American POWs in a marked grave. After the war his remains were recovered by the Army Graves Registration Service. They had him! Tragically, it seems the chain of custody was lost and those remains could no longer be presumed to be his. The questionable remains were buried as an “Unknown” at American Cemetery in Manila. The declaration of his remains to be unrecoverable hid the vital fact that was their fault! This scandalous failure and these embarrassing, career ending facts were conveniently classified, when the family deserved to know the entire truth. Current Status In Feb 2018, thanks to the generous help of POW/MIA researchers and research forums and websites, the family discovered the US Government had been using family DNA samples to identify and bring home the remains of the “Unknowns” from battlefields and cemeteries all over the world. The family soon after submitted the requisite DNA samples. A year and a half later (Aug 2019) the family was notified that the DOD approved the request for disinterment. In January of 2020 the family was informed that the remains were removed from Manila, and that they are now in Hawaii being processed for DNA identification. This may take between three and 24 months to complete. More information can be found at this website. ”LESS”