December 23, 2025
Family members and uniformed service members gathered at a cemetery in Greenville, South Carolina, on Dec. 14 to honor Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Morton Sher, whose remains were accounted for this year after more than eight decades. His previously empty headstone finally became a place of remembrance and closure for his loved ones and community. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Sher, a Greenville native and 22‑year‑old fighter pilot assigned to the 76th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Fighter Group, 14th Air Force, served in World War II as part of the Flying Tigers, flying hazardous missions in the China‑Burma theater. In October 1942, after being forced down by engine damage, local villagers welcomed him, celebrating his efforts against Japanese forces. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
He was killed in action on Aug. 20, 1943, when his P‑40 Warhawk crashed during a combat mission over Hunan, China. Although earlier efforts concluded his remains were unrecoverable, a 2024 search recovered wreckage and identified his remains through DNA testing. Sher’s homecoming included an honor guard, remarks from family, and a flyover, acknowledging his sacrifice and legacy more than 80 years later. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Unit: 76th Fighter Squadron, 23rd Fighter Group, 14th Air Force
Conflict: World War II
Location of Funeral: Greenville, South Carolina
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