The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that US Army Air Corps Bennett H. Waters, 26, killed during World War II, was accounted for June 18, 2025. Now after 81 years he is finally coming home. In 1944, Waters was assigned to 17th Bombardment Squadron, 27th Bombardment Group on the Bataan Peninsula, in the Philippines. He was captured on April 9, 1944 and held as a prisoner of war by the Empire of Japan in the Philippines until 1945 when the Japanese military moved POWs to Manila for transport to Japan aboard the transport ship Oryoku Maru. Unaware the allied POWs were on board, a U.S. carrier-borne aircraft attacked the Oryoku Maru, which eventually sank in Subic Bay. Waters was then transported to Takao, Formosa, known today as Taiwan, aboard the Enoura Maru. The Japanese reported that Waters died on Jan. 9, 1945, when U.S. forces attacked and sank the Enoura Maru.
March 28, 2026 — 9:45 AM
Ride Captain:
Sonny Luke
229-317-0262
[email protected]
Instructions:
We will stage at the fairgrounds and wait for the Funeral Home procession from the airport. Upon arrival, we will fall in and provide a rolling honor guard approximately 60 miles to Pearson-Dial Funeral Home, 659 Main St, Blackshear, GA 31516. There will be a separate mission posted for the funeral once all arrangements are complete. The service is scheduled for April 4th., at the funeral home in Blackshear. Please check national posting before mission, flight schedule can change.
Flags will not be provided.
If you have large bike flags, please bring them.
Water will not be provided, please bring your own.
March 28, 2026 — 11:00 AM
Ride Captain:
Sonny Luke
229-317-0262
[email protected]
Instructions:
Await the arrival of the Rolling Honor Guard from Florida, then stand a flag line as Mr. Waters arrives. There will be a separate mission posted for the funeral once all arrangements are complete. The service is scheduled for April 4th, at the funeral home in Blackshear.
Flags will be provided.
If you have large bike flags, please bring them.
Water will not be provided, please bring your own.
Submitted by: Sonny Luke
Assistant State Captain
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