MOULTON, Iowa (AP) — Officials say remains found in Germany in 2012 have been positively identified as belonging to a WWII airman from Iowa who went missing more than 69 years ago. The Iowa National Guard says Staff Sgt. Robert “Bobby” E. Howard, of Moulton, Iowa, was 21 years old in April 1945 when his aircraft was shot down over Germany. He and four other crew members were officially declared dead, though their remains were never recovered.

Officials say in a news release Tuesday that a research and analysis group concluded earlier this year that human remains found near the possible aircraft crash site belong to Howard.

SSgt. Robert Howard

A memorial service for Howard will be held in Moulton on July 19 with full military honors.