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.

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)

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Anthony Harris, Scott Air Force Base Honor Guard Non-commissioned officer in charge, presents the folded American Flag to the family of Capt. Delbert Draskey during Draskey’s funeral ceremony at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, Illinois, Oct. 17, 2023. As the American flag was ceremoniously folded and handed over to Draskey’s next of kin, it symbolized the culmination of a lengthy process. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class De’Quan Simmons)

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.”

To Read more: https://www.scott.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/3565733/a-heros-return-capt-delbert-d-draskey-mia-since-1952-laid-to-rest/