Alcario V. Flores : “WWII Soldier Killed in Action ID’d as Pinal County Man”

COOLIDGE, AZ (AZFamily) — A World War II soldier who perished almost eight decades ago has finally been identified as an Arizona native.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) has confirmed that the fallen soldier was U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Alcario V. Flores, aged 37, hailing from Coolidge, Arizona.

On New Year’s Eve in 1944, German troops initiated an assault codenamed Operation NORDWIND, breaching through Allied defenses.

The conflict persisted in the subsequent weeks, with Flores’ unit stationed in a sector known as “Hoch Ebersberg” in France. Tragically, Flores lost his life during the battle on January 21. Owing to the fierce combat conditions, Flores’ body could not be retrieved, according to officials.

Given the absence of any reports of Flores being taken captive by German forces and the absence of his remains, the War Department issued a Report of Death in January 1946.

Fast forward to 2021, when an individual using a metal detector stumbled upon human remains while unlawfully collecting war artifacts from a foxhole in Hoch Ebersberg. The discovery included items linking the remains to U.S. Army troops, such as clothing and 30-caliber casings.

The remains were sent to a DPAA laboratory for analysis. Through dental and mitochondrial DNA testing, it was determined that the remains belonged to Flores.

Flores’ name is inscribed on the Walls of the Missing at Epinal American Cemetery in Dinozé, France, alongside others still unaccounted for from WWII. An indication will be placed next to his name to signify that he has been identified, officials have confirmed.

The burial of Flores is scheduled to take place in Tempe on August 3, 2024.

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