PART 2The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to attend the military honors of United States Army Air Force TSgt Donald V. Banta, 21, who was killed in action during World War II. It will be our privilege to attend as he is laid to rest on American soil after 80 years.
TSgt Donald V. Banta, 21, was killed in action in early 1944 when his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Gotha, Germany. German forces recovered remains from the wreckage and buried them in a local cemetery.
In March 1952, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC), an organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel in the European Theater, took custody of the comingled unidentified remains. Identification could not be done at the time and the remains were interred in a Belgium cemetery.
In June 2021, anthropologists from Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) recovered the remains from the Belgium cemetery for analysis and identification. On September 26, 2023, mitochondrial DNA testing confirmed remains belonging to Banta.
Banta's name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, Hombourg, Belgium, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate that he has been accounted for.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this military veteran. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be accompanying this WWII hero from the funeral home to the cemetery, approximately 12 miles. Please see the timetable if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the mortuary, we will meet you there.
TIMETABLE FOR MONDAY, 29 JULY 20240915: Stage at Arlington Mortuary, 9645 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/H5wK4yiakcnsGTVQ80930: Mission briefing.
1000: KSU to Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/APQZ3g6dRcaf2YpD61030: ETA to cemetery for flag line and military honors.
TOM BARRY
California PGR State Captain
casc@patriotguard.org714-206-1227
You do not have to be a veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the Ride Captain (RC). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
