After 81 years of uncertainty and silence, the remains of Second Lieutenant Robert D. McKee—a World War II airman lost in combat—have finally been laid to rest with full military honors at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City.
McKee, a Portland, Oregon native, was killed in action on April 8, 1944, when the B-24H Liberator bomber he co-piloted was shot down over Germany during a mission in the European theater. For decades, his final resting place remained unknown—until persistent efforts from military agencies and researchers led to a breakthrough.
Though he hailed from Oregon, McKee was buried in Nevada due to close family ties in Las Vegas and Arizona. The ceremony, held on Friday, marked the emotional end to a search that spanned generations and continents.
The effort to bring McKee home began in earnest in 2015, when an independent research organization submitted critical evidence to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). This led to a successful excavation at the crash site, where human remains were recovered and later confirmed through DNA analysis as McKee’s in 2023. Formal identification was completed in June 2024, using genetic testing matched to a maternal cousin.
“It’s so important for the family to have some type of closure, to have some clarity. To live a life with years of the unknown is unimaginable,” said Chaplain Emmanuel Barba of the Nevada Army National Guard, during a moving tribute attended by family, veterans, and civilians.
The solemn military funeral featured a ceremonial flyover by a UH-72 Lakota helicopter alongside World War II-era aircraft, honoring McKee’s service and sacrifice. As part of the proceedings, a flag was ceremonially presented to his surviving relatives, symbolizing the nation’s enduring gratitude.
Second Lt. McKee was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal by the U.S. Department of the Army, recognizing his bravery and the ultimate price he paid in defense of his country.
The service also included a wreath presentation by the Heritage League, acknowledging McKee’s connection to America’s airborne forces and the ongoing legacy of those who served during World War II.
His homecoming—over eight decades after his final mission—serves as a poignant reminder of the nation’s unwavering commitment to recovering and honoring its missing heroes.
